Kieler Woche Inclusive 2026

Inclusive Sailing at the Kiel-Schilksee Olympic Harbor · June 20–28, 2026

Kiel/Hoyerswerda, June 30, 2026 · Wir sind Wir Inclusion in Sailing e.V. · in collaboration with Inklusives Segeln für Alle e.V.

What a week! From June 20–28, 2026, Wir sind Wir Inclusion in Sailing e.V., together with our partner Inklusives Segeln für Alle e.V.—who have been by our side for four years—once again made Kiel Week inclusive. At the Olympic Harbor in Kiel-Schilksee, people with and without disabilities sailed together—not side by side, but together—with support from the state capital of Kiel.

We can look back on a thoroughly successful week featuring three inclusive hands-on sailing programs and an inclusive regatta project:

Regatta escort cruises for wheelchair users on the “Henk de Mol”—daily through June 27
Sailing course for blind and visually impaired people—starting June 21
Day trips on the 70-foot sailboat “Little Dream”—starting June 22
BAT Sailing Team – Inclusion in Action on the Regatta Course: J/70 Regatta, June 25–28

Our Kieler Woche video on the inclusive sailing projects is ready! Check out what inclusive sailing looks like in Kiel: Watch the video on YouTube. At the end of this post, you’ll also find highlight videos from each day and our photo album.

The Kickoff: A Wonderful First Day

Even the first day was quite something. Saturday, June 20, 2026, kicked off with two events right away: the first accessible regatta tours for wheelchair users, as well as a training day for four children and teens with disabilities on the RS Venture Connect inclusion boats.

During two sessions on the Baltic Sea, Sophia, Tristan, Paul, and Fenna sailed to the 49er FX regatta course and watched the races from a safe distance. During the breaks between races, they got a taste of the regatta atmosphere in the 49er FX starting area and were able to see Hamburg’s two top teams—Marla Bergmann & Hanna Wille and Sophie Steinlein & Catherine Bartelheimer—in action. Smiling, enthusiastic faces showed what makes inclusive sailing so special.

Regatta Escort Trips for Wheelchair Users – the “Henk de Mol”

Every day through June 27, accessible regatta escort trips for wheelchair users took place on the Outer Fjord of Kiel—as always, in collaboration with our partner Inklusives Segeln für Alle e.V. We were able to organize two trips per day, allowing us to take a large number of wheelchair users out on the water. Guests remain in their own wheelchairs on board and experience the regatta action up close from the water.

The “Henk de Mol” is a 24-foot sailboat designed so that people in wheelchairs can sail—a one-of-a-kind vessel based on a Bente 24, the only one of its kind in Germany to date. That will change with the new Bente 25i – Inclusion, which is set to go into production soon.

A special day was the visit by Gerwin Stöcken, mayor of the state capital Kiel, who sailed along with two guests in wheelchairs. Helene steered the boat herself during the outing. On the water, a lively discussion took place about the boat’s design, inclusive sailing, and how to permanently establish participation on the water. The city’s active involvement sends a strong signal in favor of greater participation.

On another day, a guest in a wheelchair steered the boat independently and was moved to tears afterward—one of those moments that show what it’s all about: not just being there, but taking an active part.

The grand finale was the traditional windjammer parade: With four wheelchair users on board, the “Henk de Mol” accompanied the large windjammers—right in the middle of the action rather than just on the sidelines. Among those on board were Kirsten Bruhn, a multiple Paralympic gold medalist; Drees Ringert, an inclusion expert and director of the “Barrierefrei Feiern” initiative; and Thomas Drtina from the Seglerhaus am Wannsee association. A day that shows what we’re all about: inclusion that you don’t just see, but experience.

Sailing Course for Blind and Visually Impaired People

Starting on June 21, the sailing course for blind and visually impaired people took place—on RS Venture Connect boats and in cooperation with the BAT Sailing Team. Qualified instructors and volunteer sailors taught the participants the basics of sailing.

The course was a complete success: Over three days, the participants were able to sail on the Baltic Sea in fantastic summer weather.

“Little Dream”—Day Trips on the 70-Foot Sailboat

Starting on June 22, under the motto “Front Row – Right in the Middle,” the 70-foot sailboat “Little Dream” set out onto the Baltic Sea. The “Little Dream” sails under the flags of the Kiel Yacht Club and the Essen Gymnastics and Fencing Club. Up to six guests, along with their caregivers, experienced the regattas up close—with meals served on board.

Among those on board during the full-day cruises were people with visual impairments, who were able to enjoy a full day of sailing right in the heart of the Baltic Sea.

BAT Sailing Team – Inclusion in Action on the Regatta Course

The BAT Sailing Team – Inclusion in Action on the Regatta Course is a joint project of the North German Regatta Club and Wir sind Wir Inclusion in Sailing e.V. It is currently sailing its third season in the 2nd German Sailing Bundesliga and has been participating in the J/70 regatta at Kiel Week since 2022. Over the years, many other inclusive activities have grown out of this work.

After checking in at the Olympic Harbor in Kiel-Schilksee, the team took to the water with two J/70 crews. On board the “Helga” were Leon (skipper), Alex (visually impaired), Karen (deaf), as well as Clara and Heike. The second crew consisted of David Koch (visually impaired), Mieke Klein, Jan Mense, and Marvin Hamm.

Four days of racing were scheduled from June 25 to 28. However, due to challenging weather conditions—primarily light winds—racing could only take place on two of the four days, resulting in a total of six races. In the end, the team was satisfied with its results.

One thing is particularly important to the team’s approximately 18 members: sailing together—side by side with sailors without disabilities, in an open class, and on the same course. On the water, team spirit and communication matter, not physical limitations. It is precisely this clear, precise communication that makes the team so strong in the demanding, competitive world of regatta sailing.

And Kiel Week remains more than just a sport: Everyone camps together, has breakfast together, and spends the days together—inclusion that goes beyond the sport of sailing.

Our goal: to have boats like these on as many bodies of water in Germany as possible

Helene moved us deeply: her first tentative strokes turned into pure enthusiasm—and the desire to sail more often and regularly, not just during Kiel Week. It is precisely this desire that drives us.

Boats like the “Henk de Mol” are particularly well-suited for people in wheelchairs and larger crews. This allows people in wheelchairs to sail together as part of a crew, families with a family member in a wheelchair to get out on the water together, and youth courses to be held with children and teens—both in wheelchairs and without disabilities—as well as simple outings for people in wheelchairs who just want to be out on the water.

Using a 1:1 wooden model on-site in Schilksee, we invited people in wheelchairs to contribute their wishes and requirements directly to the development of the Bente 25i – Inclusion.

And we want more: Both clubs are highly motivated to get these boats on the water at as many locations in Germany as possible—on the Alster in Hamburg, at Lake Möhnesee, on Lake Constance, on Lake Wannsee, at Lake Schwerin, on the Schlei, in the Lusatian Lake District, and on many other bodies of water. We are continuously working toward this goal.

We’ve also been encouraged by our discussions with Kirsten Bruhn, Dirk Ramhorst, the chairman of Kiel Week, and State Parliament President Kristina Herbst: Inclusion needs visibility—and strong partners.

Many hands, several boats, one common goal: everyone on board. We look forward to returning to Kiel Week in 2027.

Partners, Supporters, and Sponsors of Kiel Week Inclusive 2026

Kiel Week Inclusive 2026 would not have been possible without the support of so many people. We would like to extend our special thanks to the many volunteers who accompanied us on the road to Kiel Week and throughout the entire week—because it takes a team of professional coaches and many volunteers to make all of this possible.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to:

Partners and Supporting Organizations

Inklusives Segeln für Alle e.V. · Kiel.Sailing.City · Kieler Yacht-Club · Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee · Point of Sailing · Sporthafen Kiel GmbH

Our Sponsors and Supporters for Kieler Woche Inklusiv 2026

City of Kiel · akquinet · ELLETEC · Heinz Kettler Foundation · Pantaenius · Reinhard Frank Foundation · REWE · ZÜRCHER