APROPADIS 2.0 takes part in a new inclusive sailing day at Puerto Sotogrande

Fundación Navega has held a new inclusive sailing day with users of the Association for the Promotion and Participation of People with Disabilities (APROPADIS 2.0). The activity took place at Puerto Sotogrande as part of the “Travesía Sin Límites” programme, an initiative that seeks to bring sailing and the sea closer to people with disabilities and other groups that face greater barriers to accessing this type of experience.

The introductory sailing trip, held on 14 August 2026, enabled participants to enjoy a trip around the maritime surroundings in an atmosphere of social interaction, participation and shared learning. The activity involved users, instructors and crew members, who were able to experience sailing from an inclusive and accessible perspective.

During the day, attendees were accompanied by Eli Ramos, head of Customer Service, Quality, Environment and External Relations at Puerto Sotogrande. Ramos shared the experience on board with the group and took part in a trip designed to allow participants to experience the sea actively.

A shared experience at sea

The trip enabled APROPADIS 2.0 users to admire the maritime landscape, enjoy the voyage and take part in a sailing activity alongside the rest of the crew. The “Travesía Sin Límites” programme uses this type of experience to help people with disabilities become part of the dynamics of a voyage and experience how a boat operates as another member of the crew.

APROPADIS 2.0 particularly valued the organisation of the activity and the welcome received at Puerto Sotogrande. The association described the day as “a very lovely day” and highlighted that its members were able to enjoy exceptional views, the trip and the company during the voyage.

The organisation also expressed its wish to repeat the experience at future events. Through its social media channels, APROPADIS 2.0 thanked Fundación Navega and Eli Ramos for the facilities provided to bring its users closer to the sea and for their support during the activity.

The association highlighted the inclusive nature of a day designed to enable its members to enjoy new experiences on an equal-opportunities basis. The initiative combines leisure, participation and contact with the maritime environment, as part of an activity adapted to the needs of groups that face greater difficulties in accessing sailing.

Collaboration between organisations

The day forms part of the inclusive sailing programme promoted by Fundación Navega, with the collaboration of Puerto Sotogrande and sponsorship from the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA). This support is provided through the APBA’s 2026 advertising sponsorship call, aimed at supporting social, sporting, educational and cultural projects developed by organisations in the Campo de Gibraltar.

The activity also has the collaboration of San Roque Town Council. The joint participation of the organisations allows continuity to be given to a programme that uses sailing as a tool for inclusion, social interaction and participation.

Institutional support and the collaboration of the organisations linked to the project make it possible for people with disabilities to take part in introductory sailing trips and boat excursions. In this way, the maritime experience is presented as a space for shared interaction and enjoyment, in which participants take on an active role within the crew.

Miguel Ángel Díez, managing director of Puerto Sotogrande and president of Fundación Navega, stressed the importance of maintaining this type of initiative and creating real opportunities to access the sea. As he explained, “these activities are hugely valuable because they make sailing a shared, open and accessible space”.

Díez also argued that the sea should be a place of participation, learning and enjoyment for everyone, and underlined the importance of collaboration between social organisations, institutions and organisations linked to the maritime sector.

The president of Fundación Navega also highlighted the role played by the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras through its advertising sponsorships. In his view, this support helps make social projects such as the one developed with APROPADIS 2.0 possible and enables them to continue.

“The APBA’s support makes it possible to turn institutional collaboration into concrete experiences for people, creating opportunities that have a direct impact on inclusion and on the relationship between different groups and the sea,” Díez said.

The work of APROPADIS 2.0 and Fundación Navega

APROPADIS 2.0 was founded in 2013 and operates mainly in the Campo de Gibraltar. The organisation works to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities through training, new technologies, social participation and inclusive leisure.

Participation in the Puerto Sotogrande event forms part of this objective of promoting new opportunities for leisure and participation. Sailing activities help broaden access to experiences linked to the natural environment and create spaces for social interaction between members, instructors and collaborating organisations.

For its part, Fundación Navega maintains a regular programme of activities related to accessibility and inclusive sailing from its headquarters and home port at Puerto Sotogrande. Its programme includes introductory sailing trips, excursions and experiences designed to reduce barriers and bring maritime culture closer to diverse groups.

Puerto Sotogrande’s collaboration forms part of its commitment to a marina that is open to the community and to social responsibility initiatives connecting sport, leisure, education, accessibility and the maritime environment.

Sailing linked to the Sustainable Development Goals

Introductory sailing trips and the “Travesías Sin Límites” are linked to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Firstly, SDG 3, relating to health and well-being, by promoting active leisure, well-being and contact with the natural environment.

They are also connected to SDG 10, focused on reducing inequalities, by facilitating the participation of people with disabilities in sailing experiences. In addition, the programme is linked to SDG 17, dedicated to partnerships for achieving the goals, through cooperation between Puerto Sotogrande, Fundación Navega, APROPADIS 2.0, the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras and San Roque Town Council.

With this latest trip, the participating organisations are strengthening a collaborative model that seeks to turn the sea into a space for interaction, independence and participation. The experience held at Puerto Sotogrande shows how coordination between social organisations, institutions and maritime-sector stakeholders can open up new ways for people with disabilities to access sailing.