About us
At the Skipper Foundation, we’ve been changing lives in the Greater Mossel Bay area for over 20 years. We use sailing and watersports as a powerful tool to uplift children from impoverished communities, giving them the chance to dream and the skills to achieve their goals.
Our foundation is built on four core pillars, designed to provide a comprehensive and life-changing experience for every child who joins our program.
Our Four Pillars
Learn to Sail and Watersports
This is where the magic begins! Sailing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding are the vehicles we use to help children develop physical literacy, confidence, and independence. We teach discipline, respect, and perseverance, all while having a blast on the water. We also run a “recycle a boat” project, which teaches our sailors how to fix and revive old boats, giving them a second life.
Performance Sailing
For those who show commitment and passion, we offer a pathway to become high-performance sailors. With a focus on attitude, punctuality, and teamwork, we train young athletes for district, regional, and national competitions. Our goal is to give sailors the opportunity to represent South Africa on an international level.
Feeding the Body and the Mind
Many of our students come from homes where their next meal isn’t guaranteed. To help them concentrate and thrive, we provide a nutritious meal every day they come to us. We also offer homework assistance and tutoring to help them succeed in school, which is a major focus of our program.
Equipping for the Future
We believe in more than just sports skills. We teach essential life skills like budgeting, planning, and basic etiquette. Through our training programs, young sailors can earn qualifications like SA Sailing instructor and powerboat licenses, opening doors to careers in the marine industry, on superyachts, or at international resorts. Our popular holiday rental program even provides part-time jobs, teaching the older kids real-world business and customer service skills.
