The Academia de Vela Lucho Mogollón is the heart of the Club’s sailing community. Named in honor of longtime club member and founder Lucho Mogollón, the academy reflects the Club’s enduring commitment to youth development, seamanship, and sportsmanship.

 

Founded to introduce young sailors to the sport and support lifelong learning on the water, the academy offers structured training in Optimist, Sunfish, and ILCA classes - recognized worldwide and actively raced throughout Colombia.

 

Every Saturday, 12 - 15 sailors train in Optimist, ILCA, and Sunfish. Classes are led by certified instructors and grouped by class and ability level, allowing students to progress at their own pace, from their first tack to their first regatta podium. The program is designed for progression from beginner to advanced levels.

 

Our coaching staff includes national champions and internationally experienced competitors:

•  Danny Delgado (Sunfish) – A 7-time national champion with over 18 years of experience coaching in Tominé, Antioquia, and Cartagena.

•  Paula Velásquez (Optimist) – A certified sports professional and international sailor, with coaching experience at top U.S. clubs including Key Biscayne Yacht Club.

•  Andrey Quintero (Sunfish & ILCA) – An Olympic-class sailor with experience in Pan American and World Sailing events. A certified coach in both sailing and surf, he brings high-performance insight and strong leadership to our program.

Our coaches actively compete in national and international regattas, bringing valuable experience to the instruction they provide.

 

The academy also hosts Sailing Camps during school breaks -week-long immersive programs that combine land-based instruction with open-water coaching in the sheltered Bay of Cartagena. Open to all youth regardless of Club membership, these camps are on track to exceed 100 participants in 2025.

 

As part of our broader mission, the Club has awarded full scholarships to young sailors, providing access to boats, coaching, and competition opportunities. Whether preparing for a regional regatta or stepping onto a sailboat for the first time, the Academia de Vela offers a fun, challenging, and deeply rewarding experience for sailors of all levels.