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Inclusion on Lake Schwerin: Sailing for all young people!
Schwerin Sailor Association has been promoting inclusive sailing for young people with disabilities on Lake Schwerin since 2025.
Inclusion on Lake Schwerin: Sailing for all young people!
In the heart of Schwerin there is a place that not only promises inclusion, but actively practices it. The Schwerin Sailing Club from 1894 has made it its mission to unite people with and without disabilities when sailing together. Here you can not only feel the wind in your sails, but also the feeling of community: “Physical, mental or social impairments are not an obstacle to participation in sailing,” emphasizes the club on its website Schweriner-Segler-Verein.de.
A look at the participants shows how colorful and diverse this group is. Up to ten people between the ages of 14 and 28 regularly meet at Lake Schwerin. They come from various social projects and are ready to actively participate in sailing. “The young people's joy in sailing is described as particularly valuable,” says project manager Kai Erichsen, who and his team want to promote team spirit and shared experiences in nature.
Inclusion in sport
What is happening in Schwerin is part of a larger movement that is gaining momentum in Germany. Many sports clubs strive to provide inclusive offerings. Role models such as the “FootballFREUNDE” initiative, which was launched by Special Olympics Germany and the DFB Sepp Herberger Foundation, show that sport is a key to social participation. Here, 18 students with and without intellectual disabilities play football every week and take part in tournaments to break down prejudices and promote acceptance. Such initiated activities focus on the positive effects of sport on physical and psychological well-being bpb.de.
However, the challenges remain great. Germany has not yet reached its goal when it comes to full inclusion in sport. “Complete inclusion remains a challenge in competitive sports,” according to an analysis of the situation. A change in mentality towards equality between disabled and non-disabled sports is urgently needed. The potential in inclusive sport is huge, as shown by the success of athletes in international competitions - from Natalie du Toit, the South African swimmer, to the successes of members of the Schwerin Sailing Club.
Shared experiences create community
Teamwork is very important in the Schwerin Sailing Club. Every sailing round is accompanied by volunteers who act as valuable supporters and ensure that every participant can actively participate. Nobody is excluded, and that is exactly the recipe for success of this project. The club boat park, equipped with Rügen dinghies and cutters, offers optimal conditions for an inclusive sailing adventure.
Kai Erichsen's project is a valuable example. It shows that sailing is not just sport, but above all a way to experience joy and responsibility. These initiatives are necessary to bring society closer together and to further promote the idea of inclusion - because every person has the right to be part of a community and to develop their talents.
Finally, it is to be hoped that many other clubs will follow this example and firmly anchor the idea of inclusion in their organizations. The responsibility that each individual takes on when steering the boat can also be transferred to life: it is up to us to sail together in the right direction.