The purpose of Adapted Sailing is to promote the practice of sailing for people with disabilities, creating material and human conditions for the accessibility and social integration of its practitioners, with special emphasis on the training of all interested parties and their companions.

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Compared to traditional sailing, adapted sailing boats have to be safer and cannot capsize. The practice of the sport requires less physical effort, but in theoretical, technical and tactical terms it is very similar to traditional sailing.

 

The 2008 Paralympic Games marked the first Portuguese participation in the adapted sailing competition. Bento Amaral and Luísa Silvano made it through the 2007 Adapted Sailing World Championship, which took place in Rochester, USA, and where they ranked 13th. 

In 2008 the same pair won the Bronze medal at the Skud-18 World Championship.

 

Sailing then becomes a privileged opportunity to obtain (or maintain) a relationship with water sports and the sea. Difficulties exist, of course, but voluntarism and willingness go beyond everything. Demand is greater than supply and if more means existed, the development of this modality would be greater.

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So little by little we are overcoming obstacles. Within the scope of the Vela Solidária Project and following the start of the activity of the Adapted Sailing School, in 2013 - aiming to provide participation in regattas within the national and international competitive frameworks, very deserving results were obtained, such as:

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