Katabasis Freediving and Sailing is strongly committed to activities aimed at the socially disadvantaged.
Courses, internships or simple sailing and/or freediving experiences are offered to young people in social services, therapeutic communities, prisons and associations in general located throughout Italy.
As regards freediving, there is constant research and development into teaching methods for disadvantaged people, in collaboration with psychologists and modern freediving champions.
Katabasis Freediving and Sailing has been involved in the following projects:
- Training project of the “Nautical operator in the social sector”.
- Working group called “Apnea Academy in the social sector”.
- Freediving courses in prisons
- Freediving and sailing activities for disadvantaged people identified by the social services
- Summer camps for school-age children
- Freediving for children
All Katabasis Freediving and Sailing’s activities in the social sector are carried out following a methodology of research on activities and updating of its instructors and operators.
In the projects that Katabasis Freediving and Sailing carries out in the social world, recreational/sporting tools such as freediving and sailing are used to create a didactic/training path that makes the most of the sea resource.
The projects include, among other things, the possibility, at various stages, to issue nationally and internationally recognized certifications that also represent a valid proposal for the start of an alternative professional path linked to the world of sport and responsible tourism. Below is an overview of the different activities:
Freediving
“Knowing and experiencing the underwater world. The training course is structured through education in listening to the body, reflection on the sensations and emotions experienced, awareness and processing of one’s own bodily and mental limits. The control of emotions becomes a useful tool for developing the skills needed to manage all phases of daily life in a proactive and conscious manner. The course includes an in-depth study of topics such as:
- equipment, physiology, freediving technique and the environment. Great importance is given to the senses, which are often neglected due to the use/abuse of information technology.
- appreciation of “planet sea” through observation, prevention and action activities
- recognition of one’s own physical and mental limits as an opportunity to take ownership of oneself and others
- carrying out activities in open spaces that go beyond the chair-counter space, which often represents a strong limitation in terms of attention span
- the use of digital teaching materials that are easy to consult and have a low environmental impact
- the granting of a certification by the SSI Freediving teaching agency, an international leader in the world of freediving
- the granting of a marine biology certification aimed at recognizing fish species
- the granting of a certification for basic lifesaving practices and the use of a defibrillator.
Sailing
Never before has it been as important as in these times of health emergencies, of continuous movement and human migration, to venture into the “microcosm of the boat”, finding your way around the marine environment and the group with precise roles and tasks, discovering yourself and the group. Interaction on board with the boat and the crew makes it possible to achieve a common goal, stimulating the transferability of the skills acquired in everyday life.
The course includes
- in-depth study of topics such as: nomenclature, recognition of winds, basic maneuvers, crew roles. Also in this case the use of the senses (hearing, sight, touch) becomes fundamental
- education in respect for the environment through observation and data collection (water analysis, plastic collection, identification of nets)
- carrying out educational activities in a dynamic environment such as the boat, the quay, the beach
- the use of the sailing manual “Ragazzi alla Deriva, scuola di vela, scuola di vita” which represents a great parallel between learning the art of sailing and the phases of an individual’s life
- the issuing of a patent by the sports promotion body UISP (Italian Union of Sport for All), which promotes the concept that sport is primarily an opportunity to live better rather than an activity aimed exclusively at achieving a competitive result.
Projects and partnerships
- 2005 – Publication of the sailing manual – Ragazzi alla deriva, scuola di vela, scuola di vita – MURSIA
- 2006 – Diving course for juvenile detainees – Juvenile Penitentiary – Nisida
- 2006 – Training project for nautical operator in the social sector – Unione Vela Italiana Solidale
- 2007/08 – Project “From the River to the Sea” for minors at risk – Association Arcobaleno of Ferrara
- 2008 – Project “Sails and wind” for minors at risk – Marco Polo Institute of Caldizzano – Naples
- 2009 – Diving course for disabled people – Cooperativa Sociale Alice – Tarquinia
- 2009 – Intervention on board Nave Italia of the Italian Navy during the G8 Youth Summit – Elba
- 2009 – Freediving course for the Community for recovering drug addicts – Associazione Il Ponte – Rome
- 2010 – Sailing and freediving course for disadvantaged minors at risk – Life & Corporate Coaching – Milan
- 2010/11 – Project “Dal Fiume al Mare” (From the River to the Sea) Sailing and freediving for young people – Associazione Arcobaleno – Ferrara
- 2007/17 – Residential weeks for children and adolescents in collaboration with social services
- 2007/19 – Instructional trips for middle and high schools – Istituto Agnelli – Turin
