Sailing School on Lake Ohrid – A Summer Tradition

Today, "Aquatica Yachting" – an Association for Sport Sailing in Ohrid – joins the world of Kajak.mk. The organization was founded in 2015 by long-time sailing enthusiasts, and today we're talking with Stefan Stavrev, one of its founders.

Stefan says that for years they’ve been organizing a sailing school open to all ages. “There’s no age limit when it comes to sailing,” he explains, adding that their sailboats often host people from 7 to 77 years old.

Stefan shares that his journey began at the age of 7, when he first stepped onto a sailboat and started discovering the secrets of the sport. Today, at 49, he remains actively involved in sailing.

He emphasizes that the most important thing is for those interested to choose local associations with certified skippers, licensed for open waters, and trained in full open-water safety.

Their sailing association, Aquatica Yachting, is located at Gorica 1 beach. The sailing school begins right after the school year ends, making it accessible for every child to attend. Enrollments run from June 1st to June 10th. While it’s preferable for children to know how to swim, all participants are required to wear life jackets or other flotation aids to ensure safety.

The sailing school consists of both theoretical and practical sessions. Depending on the age group, different types of sailboats are used.

Children aged 7 to 15, who form the largest group, sail in the Optimist class. For those older than 15, training is conducted in Olympic classes such as ILCA and the 470 class. For adults, sailboats longer than 6 meters are used. All activities take place under the close supervision of the field team, which monitors safety and progress from a professional support dinghy.

The history of our Sailing School is deeply connected to the sailors themselves—longtime enthusiasts of the sport. Lake Ohrid, as the largest natural yet underutilized sports arena, offers immense potential for the development of sailing, an Olympic and environmentally friendly sport.

Stefan says the conditions they had as children are very different from those today. Their enthusiasm is evident through their dedication—starting with the creation of proper storage and maintenance conditions for the boats and equipment. Over the years, sailing in Ohrid has seen its highs and lows, but Stefan now confidently states that it’s experiencing significant growth.

You can find the school’s contact details with just one click HERE.