On 27 June, Marina Port Andratx will be playing host to the eighteenth edition of Alex, Rumbo a Ti, an accessible sailing event that will once again welcome around 85 participants from different parts of Mallorca and the rest of Spain.
Organised by Mi Fundación Alex, Marina Port Andratx, and Puerto Andratx Sailing School, with the support of Fundación Ecomar, the event has grown over nearly two decades to become one of the leading accessible sailing events in the Balearic Islands. It promotes participation, inclusion and equal opportunities, harnessing the power of sailing and the sea to bring people together.
Founded more than 20 years ago in memory of Álex Masfurroll, Mi Fundación Alex works to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and support their full inclusion in society. Through projects focused on inclusive sport, education and employment, the foundation delivers initiatives that foster independence, encourage active participation and promote equality of opportunity.
Juan José Beltrán, Director of Puerto Andratx Sailing Club, paid tribute to the lasting impact the regatta has had on the club and the many people who have been part of it over the years.
“Alex, Rumbo a Ti has transformed our club and our members. Thanks to this initiative, we’ve learned that sailing can be so much more than a sport. It can be a catalyst for inclusion, lifelong learning and personal growth. Gabriel Masfurroll’s legacy lives on through this initiative, which continues to create unforgettable experiences and cherished memories for participants, their families and volunteers year after year.”
Throughout the day, participants will enjoy a range of accessible sailing activities and watersports, accompanied by young sailors from Puerto de Andratx Sailing School, instructors, volunteers and supporters who help make the event possible.
Fundación Ecomar has been involved in the regatta since its inception, contributing an invaluable perspective on environmental education and the protection of the marine environment. Through its work, the foundation inspires participants, their families and supporters to protect our oceans and enjoy the marine environment responsibly. Although double Olympic gold medallist and one of Spain’s most celebrated sailors, Theresa Zabell, will be unable to attend this year’s event in person, the foundation she chairs will once again be represented, underling her commitment to an initiative that brings together sport, inclusion and respect for the sea.
The day will end with a closing ceremony and awards presentation, celebrating the achievements of every sailor and placing participants firmly at the heart of the event.
The event is once again proving hugely popular, with all available places filled weeks before the day itself, highlighting the enthusiasm and support it enjoys among participants, their families and partner organisations.
Paola Masfurroll, Chair of Mi Fundación Alex, told us that “Álex, Rumbo a Ti is so much more than a day of sailing. It’s a place where we show that sport and the sea have the power to break down barriers. At Mi Fundación Alex, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to take part, enjoy new experiences and feel fully included in society. Seeing the joy on the faces of participants and their families year after year is the greatest reminder of what we can achieve when we work together.”
Patrick Reynés, CEO of IPM Group, emphasised the importance of continuing to champion initiatives that open up the sea to everyone and help create a more inclusive society.
“For everyone at Marina Port Andratx, it’s a privilege to be part of an event that embodies such important values as inclusion, teamwork and equality of opportunity. The sea has an extraordinary ability to bring people together, and events such as Álex, Rumbo a Ti are a shining example of this.”
More than just a sailing event, Alex, Rumbo a Ti has become a place where participants, their families, volunteers and partner organisations come together to share a day defined by joy, friendship and a shared spirit of determination. Year after year, it demonstrates the power of sport to bring people together and foster social inclusion.
