SUP classes for the visually impaired

See the sea in a different way - Access it! WaterSportsMallorca offers adapted sports for visually impaired people.

In our eagerness to improve, in 2011 we started experimenting and developing methods to offer different types of adapted sports for the visually impaired. We understand that each case is special and different, so we base our work on the degree of disability of the student, as each person may have a very different sensory capacity. We also propose objectives for each student according to their personal characteristics, previous experiences, anatomy and degree of integration. Above all, we aim for water sports to be an inclusive tool that allows students to practice with family, friends or any other group. And that it also helps the personal development and integration of each individual in society, of which leisure, as well as water sports, are a fundamental part for complete health and wellbeing.

How the classes work

All classes start with private lessons, i.e. one-to-one tuition. This allows us to get to know the student's degree of visual impairment and to familiarise him/her with the instructor and how he/she deals with him/her. In this way we accelerate the process of practice and learning in order to reach independence in sailing as soon as possible. This allows us to include the student in a group class or group activity.

In all the activities, once we have introduced ourselves, we will accompany you to the sailing school and its facilities, as well as all the additional services of bar, W.C., etc. If you come accompanied by your guide dog, we have a shaded area with fresh water from where he/she will not lose sight of you for your peace of mind. We do a reconnaissance of the beach so that you can locate the shore and its surroundings. Then we get to know and familiarise you with the equipment we are going to use, be it boards, sails or boats. We observe and feel the sea and wind conditions, and then, after the dry training, we go to the water to start sailing!!!

We have facilities and professionals prepared for an accessible offer, and our philosophy has been from the first day that our offer of adapted sport does not involve an extra cost for the student. In other words, the price of an accessible class is the same as one for any student without any disability.

If there are any doubts about activities for people with disabilities other than visual, hearing or physical, please do not hesitate to contact us to study each case and its needs.

Having said that, let's go on to detail with each of the disciplines offered by Watersports Mallorca at the nautical centre in Playa de Muro and their characteristics.

Purpose of the practice of adapted sport

At a time to be agreed, we offer you the opportunity to learn the best water sport in Mallorca with private lessons specifically for you and your type of visual impairment. The private courses allow you to learn at your own pace, but in an intense and faster way than in a group, and we will prepare you to be able to integrate later in a sailing group, even with your family or friends. In this way we achieve an inclusive activity, as we prepare you so that you can enjoy with your family or friends.

To ensure the smooth running of these activities, it is necessary, when booking, to give the degree of visual impairment of the student and their experience in the world of sport. In this way, our team of professional instructors prepare and personalise the classes and techniques to be used for the success of your learning. Our method requires you to learn how to SUP first in order to learn how to Windsurf or Wing-surf. We will use the adapted sport as an access therapy to obtain maximum independence on a personal level.

The small steps and improvements will be great successes for us, and our main objective is that you get as soon as possible independence in your navigation, with which you can even navigate autonomously, guided only from land by your instructor through a VHF or Walkie equipment. We have our own area properly marked out for practice on the water, and on land you have all kinds of facilities and services to meet your needs for space, freedom and accessibility.

The equipment we use for teaching sailing is specifically designed to ensure success and only the method of teaching varies, to make your sailing experience in Playa de Muro as accessible as possible. Once you have learned to sail, you can feel like anyone else who has already sailed, thus completing your access to the world of sailing which starts here.

The Bay of Alcúdia, in the north of Mallorca, offers perfect conditions for beginners and advanced water sports. What's more, we are committed to ensuring that these conditions are the same for everyone, both in terms of price and service. So you will not be paying more than any other student who does not have any disability, and our challenge will be for you to be able to sail without barriers.