Y2K (YOUTH TO KEEL)

Youth To Keel (Y2K)

Youth to Keel offers visiting sailors the chance to welcome a local youth onboard, encouraging knowledge-sharing, cultural exchange, and inspiring future yachting careers while leaving a positive impact on the island.

How and Why
boats join Y2K

When entering your boat, you will be asked a ‘special question’. Would you like to take a local youth on board as part of the Y2K programme. You can be specific in terms of the knowledge and experience you want on board, and if we have a sailor to match those requirements we will be introduce you to a youth approximately 4 weeks before the event.

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Give Back

Give back to the community you are vacationing in

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Gain Local Knowledge

Gain local knowledge from local sailors

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New Friendships

New friendships with the local community

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Training

Train new generation

Free to take part, apply here or ask your instructor for help.

Deadline 13th March, 2026.

Apply Here

Who is Eligible to join the programme?

  • Aged 14-25
  • Must be a proficient dinghy sailor.
  • Has to be in a sailing programme either currently or in the past.
  • Keelboat experience is ideal, but if none, willing to sign for a 1 or 2-day keelboat programme to take place at the National Sailing Academy in March (Date TBC).
  • Must submit application by 13 March, 2026.
  • Must be willing to commit to 4 days sailing during Antigua Racing Cup which takes place from April 9-12, 2026.
  • Safety – all youths assigned must sign a waiver in the same way as any other crew member, prior to racing. If the youth is under 18 years old, then the waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian.
  • Must live in Antigua. 

About

The Youth to Keelboat (Y2K) was launched by the Antigua and Barbuda Sailing Association (ABSA) in conjunction with Antigua Sailing Week to allow Antiguan youth the opportunity to gain keelboat racing experience during regattas. The programme is moving to be part of the inaugural Antigua Racing Cup in 2026 and will be the seventh year of this important initiative.

Interest in sailing, not just as a sport or leisure option, but as a career has grown exponentially in Antigua. The first youth programme was developed by Antigua Yacht Club in the nineties and then latterly, the National Sailing Academy. The Academy (now 15 years old) has now enabled every secondary school island-wide to offer sailing as part of the national curriculum. Both programmes have produced an increasing number of youths with dinghy sailing experience but for many that is where their sail racing ends. The Youth to Keel Boat Programme (Y2K) seeks to bridge the gap and help them make the leap to gaining keelboat experience.

The original idea for the initiative was borne out of a conversation at a Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) Conference held in Antigua between Tim Cross (World Sailing Regional Development Coordinator) and ex-America’s Cup sailor Peter Holmberg.  Of the programme Tim Cross said, ‘We were debating how to get more youths into sailing across the region and identified that there needs to be tangible reasons for a young person not only to start sailing, but then remain a life long sailor either recreationally or professionally. This concept is fantastic as it provides both inspiration and aspirations for the young people involved.’