Bonaire Sailing School Association (BSSA)
The Bonaire Sailing School Association (BSSA) combines a sailing school and a sailing club on the Caribbean island of Bonaire. Its home base is Kas di Regatta at Kaya J.N.E. Craane 52 in the sheltered bay, with seawater around 28 degrees Celsius and a steady trade wind. The club is run entirely by volunteers, keeps fees as low as possible and especially encourages local children to sail. Training follows the Dutch CWO pathway: children from age eight in the Optimist, older youth and adults on Sunfish, with ILCA sailing and club regattas alongside. A highlight: in 2019 Bonaire hosted the Sunfish World Championships for youth and adults.
History
The Bonaire Sailing School Association (BSSA) links sailing school and club: courses are meant as a step into active club sailing. The association consists solely of volunteers, keeps contributions deliberately low and relies on donations and sponsor contracts to maintain gear and fleet. Environmental care is part of its identity: while sailing, floating litter is fished from the sea. Ambitionously, BSSA promotes sailing and Bonaire’s conditions, holds regular races and teaches children to compete after learning playfully; where possible it joins international events. In September 2019 Bonaire organised the Sunfish World Championships for youth and adults. In 2020 the wooden boat Papa Hutu (built by SGB students and donated to the school) was restored with boatbuilder Lelle of El Navegante and a Yamaha outboard donated by Boto Blanku. Club races included Dia di Boneiru and the Kanti'i Awa Race (Sunfish and Optimist). In 2021 the BSSA team renovated Kas di Regatta, containers and boat racks during BONDOET; in June 2021 the club added a keelboat in front of Kas di Regatta. In 2022 Guardian Group became main sponsor of six Sunfish sails; chair Ton Nuijten stressed how active members are on the water around Bonaire.
Information
Facilities
Home base Kas di Regatta with boat storage and containers; club boats for members; keelboat in front of Kas di Regatta; storage of own boats at KdR available.
Activities
CWO sailing courses (Optimist and Sunfish), year-round Sunfish/ISCA, RS Feva and ILCA sailing, at least two activities per month, work days, club championships and regattas; international competition where possible.
Youth section
Active youth programme: children from age 8 learn in the Optimist (CWO youth sailing); youth membership and club championships; aim to let as many local children sail as possible.