The Ibiza Yacht Club presents the 17th edition of ‘Youth for the Sea’

The Mediterranean Sea is undoubtedly a unique space, rich in history, culture, and biodiversity. Even so, not all members of the local community are able to fully understand or enjoy these aspects—largely due to the changes and significant growth the nautical sector has experienced, which has become increasingly elitist, thereby making it harder for local users to access boating.

As has been observed, summers are becoming longer each year, along with the working season in the nautical sector. However, those who truly know the wonders of our sea wait for the tourist traffic to subside, revealing a serene, vibrant sea—an ideal time to observe and admire the beauty that connects us to the memories of our ancestors.

For this and other important reasons, the socio-educational program Jóvens per la mar (Youth for the Sea) was created in 2001. It is an initiative launched by the Ibiza Yacht Club aimed at first-year high school students across the island's educational centers.

Jóvens per la mar seeks to open an imaginary door to the Mediterranean Sea, to introduce it to young people, and to help them develop a sense of belonging to it. Without this sense of connection, it is nearly impossible to promote care and protection for our ecosystem. This ecosystem is increasingly affected by human activity and severe climate challenges, and through the short- and long-term implementation of this socio-educational program, it can have a positive impact on both the population and their relationship with the immediate environment, as noted by local marine biologist Agnès Torres, the program's coordinator and educator.

And what better way to do this than aboard a traditional schooner like the Saga? This schooner was built in Finland between 1936 and 1946, during World War II. For many years it served in the Finnish Merchant Navy, before being registered in Denmark, where it was recognized as a historical vessel and began its socio-cultural journey. Later, between Denmark and the Antilles, it operated as a school ship.

Thus, in 2014, Cruceros Espalmador S.L. was founded with the goal of preserving this historically significant vessel and using it to raise awareness of the rich maritime heritage of the Pityusic Islands. (It’s worth mentioning that during the 1980s, most schooners were sunk or destroyed off the coast of Ibiza due to their low profitability compared to newer fiberglass boats.) Efforts are currently underway for the Saga to be officially recognized as a historic vessel by the Spanish Merchant Navy.

Jóvens per la mar is an educational environmental project created by the Ibiza Yacht Club to teach and raise awareness among first-year high school students about the rich history, nautical culture, and marine biodiversity found in our crystal-clear waters.

To reach this specific audience, the program offers sailing days aboard the Saga schooner during April and May, when spring weather conditions are typically more favorable, in groups of up to 35 students during school hours.

Throughout the sailing day, a marine biologist accompanies the students as both a guide and environmental educator, using the coastal maritime landscape as a learning platform to help students achieve specific program goals—such as learning to recognize and describe our coastline. Each student receives an educational dossier specifically created for this project, where they can consult information on all the topics covered.

Now celebrating its 17th edition in 2025—coinciding with the centenary of the Ibiza Yacht Club—the program has introduced more than 10,000 young people to the sea, offering them their first sailing experiences and a deeper understanding of the maritime heritage of the Pityuses.

Following the warm reception of Jóvens per la mar in 2024, a more extensive program has been prepared for 2025 in celebration of the Ibiza Yacht Club’s centennial. It will feature 16 educational outings involving around 560 young people who will enjoy this special sailing experience aboard the Saga.

Thirteen outings are allocated to schools in the municipality of Vila:

• IES Isidor Macabich
• IES Sa Blanca Dona
• IES Sa Colomina
• IES Santa Maria d’Eivissa
• IES Sa Real (Charter)
• Col·legi Nuestra Señora de la Consolación (Charter)
• Col·legi Mestral (Private)

And three outings are reserved for users of the Un Mar de Possibilitats (A Sea of Possibilities) program:

• ASPANADIF
• ADDIF
• ONCE
• FUNDACIÓ DEIXALLES
• APFEM
• AECC

In this way, the program ensures that a wide range of participants can enjoy the experience, breaking down barriers and opening the sea to all.

The Jóvens per la mar program has several specific goals, mainly focused on educating and raising awareness among students about history, nautical culture, and biodiversity. It also includes additional objectives such as promoting gender equality, inclusive participation, education, empowerment, and breaking down gender role stereotypes.

In addition to the schools in Vila and the Un Mar de Possibilitats user associations, several other organizations support the Jóvens per la mar program. Chief among them is its sponsor, the Ibiza Yacht Club, as well as the Consell Insular d’Eivissa and a donation from the private entity Playa Soleil, S.L.