OUR STORY EARLY DAYS
Make Them Sailors was born during a sailing journey through the Caribbean by Carlien Pels, a Dutch anthropologist, and Martin Manrique, an Argentine high-performance sailing coach. While cruising and coaching young sailors along the way, they met Juan Pablo, an 11-year-old fisherman in Colombia who asked to learn how to sail. Using an old dinghy and salvaged materials, they built him a makeshift Optimist. It quickly became clear—Juan Pablo didn’t need lessons, just access to a boat.
Inspired by this experience, they began teaching more local kids and realized the transformational power of sailing in underserved communities. Their mission took shape: to give young people the resources to build a future through sailing. Today, Make Them Sailors connects global donors with grassroots programs, distributing boats and gear, and building a growing network of inclusive sailing schools across Latin America and beyond—turning passion into opportunity and sport into social change.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to create a lasting impact through a global network of such schools. We accomplish this by offering financial assistance, forging partnerships with sailing brands, and facilitating donations of cash contributions and gently
used sailing gear. Through grant acquisition and collaborative initiatives, we ensure that aspiring sailors have access to the equipment, training, and opportunities they need to experience the transformative power of sailing.
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OUR VISION
We envision a world where every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to learn, sail, and grow through the power of community and the freedom of the sea. By building a global ecosystem of support, we aim to make sailing a tool for education, connection, and change.
MEET THE TEAM
Martin Manrique
Director & Co-Founder
Carlien Pels
President & Co-Founder
Martina Perez Aguirre
Graphic designer & Campaign manager
Dan Mastromarco
Legal Advisor
Conor Mastromarco
Youth Leader
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Tegan Maxey
Strategic Advisor
MEET OUR HEROES
Ignacio Varisco
Volunteer
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Tomás Di Luciano
Volunteer
Imanol Vilasetru
Volunteer
Martín Vazquez
Volunteer
Paloma Gutierrez
Volunteer
Julia Pantin
Volunteer
Marcos Romairone
Volunteer
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Roos Wind
Volunteer
Anouk Wind
Volunteer
Ties Wijbinga
Volunteer
Will Dailey
Volunteer
MEDIA AND PRESS
Aug 17, 2021
Cruising world magazine
A young couple heads out in an old sailboat to explore the Caribbean, and ends up starting a nonprofit that aims to teach island kids how to sail.
