Kieler Woche Inklusiv 2026 – Day 3: Mayor Gerwin Stöcken Goes Onboard

For us, every day on the water is special. Today was especially so: Gerwin Stöcken, mayor of the state capital Kiel, was our guest—and even joined us for a sail. On board the “Henk de Mol,” a 24-foot sailboat where people in wheelchairs can sail safely and comfortably—a boat that’s one of a kind in Germany.

We had two guests in wheelchairs with us today: an elderly lady and Helene, who was already on board yesterday with great enthusiasm and today even took the helm herself to steer the boat. That’s exactly why we do this.

An in-depth discussion took place on the water—with Gerwin Stöcken and the entire crew. We talked about our boat concept, the inclusive sailing project, and our ideas on how to make participation on the water a more sustainable reality—all the way to establishing a permanent program centered around a boat like the “Henk de Mol.”

A big thank you to the state capital of Kiel and to Gerwin Stöcken—not only for the support, but above all for their genuine involvement. The city’s active participation is an important step toward greater inclusion.

Thanks also to the harbor masters at the Schilksee Olympic Harbor and to Sporthafen Kiel GmbH: Their dedication and willingness to help make so much of this possible.

And the day had even more to offer: Guests once again took part in the sailing course for blind and visually impaired people. And aboard the 70-foot yacht “Little Dream,” four guests—including people with visual impairments—set out on a full-day cruise on the Baltic Sea.

Kieler Woche Inklusiv is a joint project of Inklusives Segeln für Alle e.V. and Wir sind Wir Inclusion in Sailing e.V.—and we’ve been organizing it together here for several years now. But we want more: Both organizations are working with great enthusiasm to get boats like the “Henk de Mol” out on the water throughout Germany. A boat like this belongs in Kiel. It belongs on the Alster in Hamburg, on Lake Möhnesee, on Lake Constance, on Lake Wannsee—and on many other exciting bodies of water. We’re committed to this, alongside many other inclusive projects.

Many hands, several boats, one common goal: everyone on board.

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