When becoming an affiliated member, you are supporting Sea Masters Academy Panama. Your affiliation money strengthens the initiative that grows, improves and supports the sport of sailing throughout the country. Together, we are providing boaters with a solid foundation of skills to enjoy on the water for a lifetime.

 

Being an affiliate to SEA MASTERS ACADEMY PANAMA (SMAP) brings you many benefits. As an affiliate member of the first dinghy sailing community in Panama, we offer you a wide variety of opportunities that will allow you to enjoy the sport while spending family time in the comfortable facilities provided by Shelter Bay Marina for its exclusive marina users and SMAP members. Your membership is very valuable to us, it not only helps to keep the fleet in optimal condition, but it also allows us to create formidable events for our members and continue to increase the fleet of boats for their recreation.

 

Your membership contributes to:

 

• Maintain a standard for instruction and "coaching" in Panama that ensures that all boaters learn safely and with fun in a high-quality environment.

• Certify, under the US SAILING standard, race officials, judges and referees to guarantee the integrity and progress of the sport of competitive sailing.

• Maintain the website and technological platform that involve and support our members, volunteers and other people interested in sailing.

• Maintenance of boats, equipment and access ramp to the water.

• Increase in the current fleet of boats and equipment of the Club.

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       Reasons to be a member:

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The foremost reason why people join S.M.A.P. is to support the Youth Sailing Program, and allow us to introduce more local youngsters to sailing, offering them a fun and active way to develop themselves and broaden their horizon. 

 

As a member you can enjoy the following advantages:

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• Take out one of our boats, you have the choice of RS Aeros, RS Quests, RS Qubas, RS CAT16, WindRider17 and Optimists.

• One free Open Sailing session on any of our small boat sailboats.

• Get discounts on sailing lessons.

• Get discounts on sailing equipment and accessories.

• Enjoy the social events organized for members only.

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A true community of sailors! 

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By being a member of SMAP you will have access to all sailboats so that you can practice and improve your sailing skills and enjoy the sea without having all the costs associated with having your own sailboat.

SMAP will organize regattas and annual events for young people and adults, thus being the first sailing competition program in the nation.

The new SMAP headquarters is located on Shelter Bay Marina’s premises, where you can enjoy special prices at the restaurant / bar and hotel for SMAP members only.​

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Parties & Events

SMAP is not only a sailing club, but also a social club. It is focused on offering its members moments of healthy recreation, in and out of the water. So there will always be something happening, be it a barbecue or Après-Sail, a party for members, beer / wine tasting, etc. Additionally, SMAP will organize annual events such as regattas, picnics / bbqs, chalk-talks with Pros, seminars, among others. These are some of the already established events: Santa’s Bowl Regatta, Cha-Cha Challenge, Christmas Party, Trofeo Don Lorenzo Romagosa, RS QUEST League (adults), Bart’s Bash (international event), Race Management Seminars, among others. 

 

All year-round sailing

SMAP members can enjoy sailing any day of the week in the beautiful Limón Bay with excellent conditions almost all year round.

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Club Racing

All members will be able to enjoy the” Club Racing” program, a casual and fun way to experience competitive sailing. You only have to show up on the days of this activity and enjoy the experience.  

 

Towing Service

All members who are enjoying open sailing and have the need to be towed back to shore, will have the service free of charge. 

 

 

Volunteer Opportunities 

Only members of the Club will be able to become official Club Race Officer for events on the water, learning about Regatta Management and participate as a crew of powerboats to support events on the water .

 

Curriculum & Educational Platform

As a member organization of US Sailing, SMAP provides the highest standard of quality instruction when it comes to sailing and recreational powerboating. We have successful programs such as the Learn-to-Sail program that is carried out under the highest safety standard. SMAP members enjoy preferential prices on all of our courses and classes. Some of our programs already available:

 

• Learn To Sail

• Learn To Race

• Spinnakers & Trapeze Sailing

• Powerboating Program

• Race Management Program

• Basic Keelboat Course

 

Use of Facilities

• Parking lot with security  24/7

• Dressing rooms, showers and bathrooms

• Restaurante / bar

• Hotel

• Swimming Pool

• Chillout area with BBQ and picnic table and chairs

• Access to the private beach in front Bahía Limón

• Docks

• Secured storage

• Media Room

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Use of Club Dinghies

All affiliated members have use of SMAP Dinghies according to the following terms: 

• Use of any dinghy must be by prearranged and approved by the SMAP dinghy program Manager

• Sailing skills will be assessed, regarding the use of sailing equipment and lessons may be required. 

• Rental fee apply with a 50% discount from the regular price

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Junior members and sailors up to 18:

• Junior members must be enrolled in a sailing program in order to use SMAP equipment

• Junior members with their own equipment cannot sail unsupervised and must also be enrolled in an SMAP Dinghy Program at a reduced rate

• Sailor code of conduct and parent code of conduct rules apply

• The Manager of SMAP Dinghy Sailing Program must authorized Junior membership

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Available Fleets:

• 1 RS CAT 16 (catamaran 16’) 

• 1 Wind Rider 17 (trimaran 17')

• 4 RS QUEST (monohull 15’)

• 2 RS QUBA (monohull 12’)

• 2 RS AERO (high performance monohull 14’)

• 6 OPTIMIST (kids’ monohull)

 

Other equipment available for you to use:

• Personal flotation device (PDFs)

• VHF radios (mandatory use for Open Sailing)

 

Coming soon:

• Kayaks

• Paddle boards 

• 2 RS QUEST

• 4 OPTIMIST

• 1 RS 21 keelboat

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Membership Types & Prices

To become a member, you must pay an annual registration fee which must be renewed each year. 

 

JUNIOR (AGE 8 - 18)

YOUTH members have access to discounted sailing classes (group and private), summer camps and sailing programs;  use of private facilities; access to the Racing Team; 1 year membership to US SAILING for access to the SKILL UP digital platform. 

 

ADULT (AGE 19 - 64)

Individual membership is designed for adults 19 and over. These membership have access to discounted classes and rentals, and much more.

 

BOAT OWNER

The "Boat owner" membership is for those who have their own boat and want the service of "boat storage". Includes up to four people, who live in the same household. These members have access to all of the marina's private facilities, access to discounted classes and rentals, and much more.

 

FAMILY

Family membership includes a minimum of three and up to four people, who live in the same household. These members have access to classes and discounted rentals, and much more. After three members, each additional member pays $150. (minimum $350 and maximum $600).

 

SENIOR (AGE65 - 85+)

Silver membership is designed for adults 65 years of age and older. These members have access to the Club's private events, discounts on official Club merchandising, seminars, and volunteer opportunities (Race Management), among other discounts.

 

Other Benefits and restrictions of Club Membership

• There are no contracts to sign and the fees are monthly 

• The fees are charged to your account on the 1st of each corresponding month and must be paid via bank transfer. We recommend using recurring ACH. 

• Do you need to suspend your membership? We offer a one-time free suspension for 3 months of monthly membership dues, without canceling your enrollment.

• Refer a friend to SMAP and if he/she signs up, you will receive a $ 50 referral credit and your friend will receive a $ 25 credit!

• Registration fee must be paid annually, and loses validity at the time of having 3 unpaid monthly installments.

 

How To Register?

You must apply by filling out the application form online. Click on the button below for the membership type you want. Once your application is accepted and approved, a visit to the facilities will be coordinated for a brief interview where you will receive all the information and regulations of your membership. You must fill out some forms such as Disclaimer, Medical Form, among others.