About Us
We believe that all young people have the ability to become captains of their own lives and that the challenges of Sailing and Watersports promote healthy life values and a connection with nature, building essential personal skills.
We give the children of The Bahamas the opportunity to grow on the water and learn how to master the elements and themselves.
Our Vision
Learning how to sail changed our lives forever. We want to give the same chance to the kids from Eleuthera.
Sailing is fun. Sailing gives you freedom. Through sailing, you can connect with nature. Sailing clears your mind and keeps you fit. It teaches you how to make decisions and choose where you want to go. You can make friends for life, learning to work together as a team, with and not against the elements. Sailing teaches you to be a captain of your own life!
But our vision doesn’t stop there.
We believe that sailing is for everybody.
Imagine, you live on an island, surrounded by crystal clear water, windy almost every day of the year and it so warm that you only need sunscreen… you could SAIL EVERY DAY!
The Bahamas is a world-class destination for sailors, but unfortunately, only a small part of the population enjoys it. Many children don’t even know how to swim while they live in a sailing paradise and surrounded by water!
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At the Eleuthera Sailing Academy, everybody can learn how to sail.
Together we can make The Bahamas a Sailing nation!
Meet the Team
Director - Kite Instructor
Carlien Pels
Carlien used to be a passionate traveler with a huge love for watersports.
She is an anthropologist, who used to live on a sailing boat, with a deep fascination for different cultures and natural wonders.
Director - Sailing Coach
Martin Manrique
Martin was sailing WORLD champion at the age of 12, has a deep love for the sport and is passionate about the life-changing opportunities sailing provides!
He is also an engineer, but he has 20 years of coaching experience with great success in the Optimist and Laser Class and before coming to the Bahamas he was involved in an Olympic Campaign on NACRA 17 CLASS.
founder
Craig Symonette
Craig's love for Eleuthera and its people has driven him to envision a place in which every child has the opportunity to learn how to sail.
His dream is that Sailing becomes the Bahamian National Sport and that everybody will be able to feel the freedom and joy that sailing brings!
Where we are
Eleuthera Sailing Academy is based in Savannah Sound, a beautiful bay on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas. Surrounded by turquoise water, quiet beaches, unspoiled cays, and vibrant reefs, the island invites you to explore its beauty on and off the water—with the breeze filling your sails.
Eleuthera is a long, narrow island of small communities, winding roads, and remarkable coastline. The sea is part of everyday life here. For us, it is also a place to learn, grow, and connect. We’re proud to welcome local families and visitors to Savannah Sound to experience the island from the water.
volunteer with us
The ultimate sailing & coaching adventure in The Bahamas
— where adventure, learning, and purpose meet.
Are you a sailor or passionate about watersports and looking for a different kind of adventure? Come spend a couple of weeks with us in the beautiful Bahamas, share your passion for the water, and give back to the local community.
As an ESA volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to teach and sail with local kids, share skills and experiences, discover the islands beyond the tourist path, and become part of the community both on and off the water.
Whether you’re an experienced sailing instructor or simply passionate about sailing and eager to help, there may be a place for you.
Interested in volunteering with ESA? Get in touch with us to learn more about upcoming opportunities.
A unique mix of adventure, learning, and positive impact.
