As part of the European Week of Sport 2025, Ada Sailing Club organised on 27. and 28. september Open Sailing Days in Serbia within the SIESsail project. Over two days, the club welcomed sports enthusiasts, curious visitors and people who wanted to experience sailing for the first time. The activity reflected one of the central aims of SIESsail: making sailing more accessible to different age groups and promoting inclusive, sustainable and environmentally responsible activities on the water.
Participants followed a carefully designed programme combining theory and practical experience. During the introductory sessions, instructors used the Virtual Skipper sailing simulation, an educational board, ropes and cleats to introduce basic sailing principles and knots. Afterwards, participants went out on the water and had the opportunity to take the helm, join the crew and experience different roles aboard a sailing boat. Adults sailed on boats suitable for river conditions in Belgrade, while children discovered sailing in Optimist dinghies.
The weather conditions were not always ideal, but that became part of the learning experience. Participants discovered first-hand how important patience, adaptability and the right mindset are in sailing. Despite the challenging conditions, the atmosphere remained full of enthusiasm, positive energy and smiles, and many participants expressed an interest in continuing their sailing training in the next season.
