Key Takeaways
- The “Calabria in barca a vela 2026” project launches from Corigliano‑Rossano, involving the 14 regional Sports High Schools in a sailing‑based educational itinerary.
- The inaugural leg (Corigliano‑Rossano → Cariati) begins on 14 May 2026 at 9:30 a.m. at the Palmeto of Schiavonea, with boarding at Corigliano Port at noon.
- Activities combine sport, environmental sustainability, and cultural‑heritage discovery, aiming to develop sailing techniques and transversal skills such as responsibility, teamwork, and active citizenship.
- Subsequent stages will rotate among the participating schools, covering both the Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts and touching major Calabrian localities before a final synthesis event on 4 June 2026.
- The initiative is coordinated by the Calabria Regional School Office (USR) – Directorate General for Motor, Physical and Sport Education, together with the Calabria Region, the Network of Sports High Schools, and the Network of Health‑Promoting Schools.
The first stage of “Calabria in barca a vela 2026” set off from Corigliano‑Rossano on Thursday 14 May 2026. Students, teachers, and local authorities gathered at the Palmeto of Schiavonea at 9:30 a.m., where opening remarks were delivered before the programme of sports activities and tournaments got underway. At noon the participants embarked from the Port of Corigliano for the inaugural sailing leg toward Cariati, marking the official start of the regional educational voyage.
Designed as an innovative formative pathway, the project intertwines practical sailing experience with lessons on environmental stewardship and the appreciation of Calabria’s natural and cultural riches. Life aboard the vessels and navigation along the regional coastline give students the chance to master sailing techniques while cultivating cross‑disciplinary competencies: a sense of responsibility, collaborative problem‑solving, and active citizenship. By confronting real‑world challenges on the water, learners are expected to internalise values that extend beyond the classroom.
After the Corigliano‑Rossano–Cariati crossing, the itinerary continues along both the Ionian and Tyrrhenian shores, progressing through a series of pre‑identified waypoints: Le Castella, Catanzaro Lido, Roccella Ionica, Reggio Calabria, Tropea, Cetraro, Vibo Marina, a return to Reggio Calabria, another stop at Roccella Ionica, Catanzaro Lido, Crotone, and finally Cirò Marina. Each leg is hosted in rotation by one of the 14 Sports High Schools that constitute the project’s network. The host school assumes responsibility for welcoming the flotilla, organizing the day’s reception, and delivering sport‑didactic activities linked to the navigation segment. This rotating model ensures that every institution contributes its local expertise and reinforces a sense of territorial continuity among the participating schools.
The complete list of participating Sports High Schools includes: IIS L. Palma Green Falcone Borsellino (Corigliano‑Rossano), LS “Julia” (Acri), LS “Filolao” (Crotone), LS “E. Fermi” (Catanzaro), IIS “Z. Bianco” (Gioiosa Ionica), IIS “M. La Cava” (Bovalino), LS “M. Guerrisi” (Cittanova), LS “A. Volta” (Reggio Calabria), LS “Nostro Repaci” (Villa San Giovanni), IIS “N. Pizi” (Palmi), IIS “Piria” (Rosarno), LS “Berto” (Vibo Valentia), IIS “Valentini Majorana” (Castrolibero), and IIS Cetraro. Their collaborative effort is underpinned by the Calabria Regional School Office (USR) – Directorate General for Motor, Physical and Sport Education, the Calabria Region, the Network of Sports High Schools, and the Network of Health‑Promoting Schools.
The voyage culminates on 4 June 2026 with a final synthesis and restitution day. During this event, students will present the outcomes of their onboard experiences and the insights gathered at each port of call, showcasing how the sailing journey has enriched their academic, sporting, and civic understanding. By the project’s conclusion, participants are expected to have not only improved their technical sailing abilities but also strengthened their commitment to sustainable practices, regional pride, and active participation in community life.