SIESsail - Susret Partnera u Talinu

U okviru evropskog Erasmus+ projekta SIESSAIL, koji povezuje jedriličarske klubove iz Slovenije, Italije, Estonije i Srbije sa ciljem unapređenja edukacije u jedrenju, dostupnosti ovog sporta, kao i promociji inkluzivnosti i održivosti u jedrenju širom Evrope, predstavnici Jedriličarskog kluba Ada imali su priliku da učestvuju na susretu u Talinu, glavnom gradu Estonije.

Domaćin ovog okupljanja bio je RS Sailor Club, sa sedištem u olimpijskoj marini Pirita, izgrađenoj za Igre u Moskvi 1980. godine.

Naši predstavnici, Iva i Miloš, bili su deo međunarodne ekipe koju su činili i Fabrizio i Riccardo iz Italije (LNI Ostia), Kaja i Saša iz Slovenije (Jadralni Klub Ljubljana), i Keiju iz Estonije (RS Sailor Club) sa mogom lokalnim saradnicima.

Tradicija i inovacije u jedrenju

Susret je započet simbolično, pored olimpijske baklje, a nastavljen obilaskom Kalevi Jahtklubija, najpoznatijeg estonskog jedriličarskog kluba, osnovanog 1948. godine. Njihova nova zgrada je pravi mali arhitektonski dragulj, nagrađena kao Estonian Concrete Building of the Year 2024. Posebno nas je impresioniralo to što su tokom izgradenje zidovi objekta doslovno utisnuti starim jedrima članova kluba. Na taj način jedra, koja su nekada hvatala vetar nosila priče, sada postaju deo temelja i fasada u znak očuvanja zajedničkog sećanja.

Posebno inspirativan bio je projekat Meresõber („Prijatelj mora”). U pitanju je mobilna škola jedrenja u kontejneru, koja već deset godina putuje po Estoniji i pruža priliku deci i odraslima da prvi put probaju jedrenje, čak i u mestima bez klubova. Ove godine očekuje se uključivanje oko 150 dece. Jednostavna, a genijalna ideja koju bismo voleli da vidimo i u Srbiji.

Kultura mora i ledene brzine

Boravak u Talinu uključivao je i posetu muzeju Seaplane Harbour, jednom od najpoznatijih pomorskih muzeja u Evropi. Pored podmornica, istorijskih brodova i hidro aviona, otkrili smo i jedno potpuno novo iskustvo, jedrenje na ledu. Radi se o posebnim jedrilicama, koje po zaleđenim jezerima dostižu brzine i preko 120 km/h. Estonski prijatelji su nam opisali kako izgleda „okrenuti bovu“ pri toj brzini, bez kočnica i bez prirodnog otpora vode.

Jedrenje za sve

Veliku pažnju posvetili smo njihovom programu inkluzivnog jedrenja. RS Sailor Club poseduje dve jedrilice Hansa 303 i jedan RS Venture, prilagođene posebnim potrebama. Sistem sa hidrauličnim podizačem i specijalnim sedištima omogućava ulazak i jedrenje osobama u invalidskim kolicima.

Ali njihov pristup ide i dalje: program je namenjen i osobama koje se suočavaju sa psihološkim i socijalnim teškoćama, uključujući i žene žrtve nasilja. Jedrenje u ovom kontekstu postaje terapija, lek za samopouzdanje i most ka zajednici.

Regata u zimskim uslovima

Drugi dan doneo je regatu klase RS Aero. Uslovi su bili ekstremni sa 13°C temperaturom vazduha i 10°C u vodi, pri vetaru od 20 čvorova sa udarima i do 30. Takmičenje je završeno nakon tri trke i velikog broja prevrtanja. Ipak, spoj sporta i severne kulture odnelo je zimu iz kostiju hrabrih takmičara. Sauna i topla atmosfera u klubu nakon takmičenja običaj je i posle najvećih okrašaja na vodi jedriličara sa severa starog kontinenta.

Najuspešnija je bila mlada estonska jedriličarka Lina, koja je pobedila u sve tri trke, pokazujući neverovatnu sigurnost i formu na vodi.

Razmena ideja i iskustava

Jedna od glavnih tema bila je kako zadržati mlade u jedrenju i smanjiti pritisak takmičenja. Razgovarali smo o uključivanju porodica kroz zajedničke dane roditelja i dece na vodi. Jedriličari iz Ljubljane dele odličnu praksu: mini match race sa Optimistima, koje roditelji mogu da prate sa obale. Na taj način vide trud i umeće dece, bez pritiska na rezultat.

Govoreći o Estoniji, problem je i kratka sezona jedrenja i manjak instruktora. Zato je predložena ideja „radnih odmora“ za mlade trenere iz drugih zemalja, koji bi tokom leta pomagali u Estoniji, uz smeštaj kod porodica. Na obostrano zadovoljstvo kako dece tako i instruktora, stiče se i međunarodno iskustvo.

Posebno smo se dotakli teme društvene inkluzije. Kako omogućiti da deca i mladi iz socijalno ugroženih porodica ostanu u jedrenju nakon prvih promotivnih časova bila je glavna tema. Rešenje leži u dugoročnom sistemu: zajednički materijali, podrška institucija, sponzorstva, saradnja sa školama i drugim sportskim udruženjima.

Pogled unapred

Dogovorili smo i konkretne buduće korake: snimanje edukativnih video materijala sa treninga i regata, uz titlove na engleskom jeziku, koji bi služili svim klubovima u projektu. Na taj način možemo uporediti metode rada u različitim sredinama, od Baltičkog mora, preko Jadrana i Tirenskog mora, do reka i jezera Srbije.

Sledeća stanica – Beograd

Nakon inspirativnog iskustva u Talinu, sledeći sastanak partnera SIESSAIL projekta biće održan u Beogradu, od 17. do 20. jula 2026. godine, a domaćin će biti upravo naš Jedriličarski klub Ada.

Radujemo se prilici da ugostimo partnere, pokažemo naše reke, sistem rada i tradiciju, i zajedno nastavimo da gradimo viziju jedrenja kao sporta koji spaja ljude, podstiče inkluziju i čuva prirodu. European Erasmus+ project SIESSAIL, which connects sailing clubs from Slovenia, Italy, Estonia, and Serbia with the goal of improving sailing education, accessibility of the sport, and promoting inclusivity and sustainability in sailing across Europe, representatives of the Ada Sailing Club had the opportunity to take part in a meeting in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.

The host of this gathering was RS Sailor Club, based in the Olympic marina Pirita, built for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.

Our representatives, Iva and Miloš, were part of a wider international team that also included Fabrizio and Riccardo from Italy (LNI Ostia), Kaja and Saša from Slovenia (Jadralni Klub Ljubljana), and Keiju from Estonia (RS Sailor Club), with many other local contributors.

Tradition and Innovation in Sailing

The meeting began symbolically, next to the Olympic flame, and continued with a visit to Kalevi Jahtklubi, the most renowned Estonian yacht club, founded in 1948. Their new building is a true architectural gem, awarded as the Estonian Concrete Building of the Year 2024. We were particularly impressed by the fact that during construction, the walls of the building were literally imprinted with old sails from the club’s members. In this way, sails that once caught the wind and carried stories have now become part of the foundations and facades as a symbol of shared memory.

An especially inspiring project was Meresõber (“Friend of the Sea”). It is a mobile sailing school in a container, which has been traveling around Estonia for ten years, giving children and adults the chance to try sailing for the first time, even in places without clubs. This year, around 150 children are expected to participate. A simple yet brilliant idea that we would love to see in Serbia.

Sea Culture and Icy Speeds

The stay in Tallinn also included a visit to the Seaplane Harbour Museum, one of the most famous maritime museums in Europe. Alongside submarines, historical ships, and hydroplanes, we discovered a completely new experience, ice sailing. These are special sailboats that reach speeds of over 120 km/h on frozen lakes. Our Estonian friends described to us what it feels like to “round a buoy” at that speed, without brakes and without the natural resistance of water.

Sailing for All

A lot of attention was given to their inclusive sailing program. RS Sailor Club owns two Hansa 303 boats and one RS Venture, adapted for special needs. A system with a hydraulic lift and special seats allows people in wheelchairs to enter and sail.

But their approach goes even further: the program is also intended for people facing psychological and social challenges, including women survivors of violence. In this context, sailing becomes therapy, a remedy for self-confidence, and a bridge to the community.

Racing in Winter Conditions

The second day brought a regatta in the RS Aero class. The conditions were extreme with 13°C air temperature and 10°C water, with winds of 20 knots and gusts up to 30 knots. The competition ended after three races and many capsizes. Still, the blend of sport and northern culture drove the cold out of the bones of the brave competitors. The sauna and the warm atmosphere at the club after the races are a tradition, even after the fiercest battles on the water for sailors of the northern part of the continent.

The most successful was young Estonian sailor Lina, who won all three races, showing incredible confidence and athleticism on the water.

Exchange of Ideas and Experiences

One of the main topics was how to keep young people in sailing and reduce the pressure of competition. We discussed including families through joint parent-and-child sailing days. Sailors from Ljubljana shared an excellent practice: mini match races with Optimists, which parents can follow from the shore. This way, they can see the effort and skill of their children without pressure on results.

Speaking of Estonia, another challenge is the short sailing season and the lack of instructors. That is why the idea of “working holidays” was proposed for young coaches from other countries, who could help in Estonia during the summer, staying with host families. To the mutual benefit of both children and coaches, this also provides valuable international experience.

We especially discussed the topic of social inclusion. The key question was how to enable children and young people from socially vulnerable families to remain in sailing after the first introductory lessons. The solution lies in a long-term system: shared materials, institutional support, sponsorships, cooperation with schools, and with other sports associations.

Looking Ahead

We also agreed on concrete future steps: recording educational video materials from training sessions and regattas, with English subtitles, which would be used by all clubs in the project. In this way, we can compare working methods in different environments, from the Baltic Sea, across the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Sea, to the rivers and lakes of Serbia.

Next Stop – Belgrade

After the inspiring experience in Tallinn, the next SIESSAIL project meeting will be held in Belgrade, from July 17 to 20, 2026, with Ada Sailing Club as the host.

We look forward to welcoming our partners, showcasing our rivers, working system, and tradition, and continuing to build a vision of sailing as a sport that connects people, encourages inclusion, and protects nature.