Anita Marszałek
An experienced health promotion educator with 17 years of expertise in the social integration of people with disabilities. A passionate water enthusiast, Anita is a certified yacht and motorboat skipper and the owner of Open Water, a company specializing in training and therapeutic services for individuals with disabilities in aquatic environments. She seamlessly blends her professional expertise with her love for water sports in her role as Chief Instructor of Integrative Sailing at the International Sailing School Association (ISSA). For over 15 years, she has collaborated with numerous NGOs as a Personal Assistant to individuals with diverse disabilities. Anita is also the architect behind the Sailing Instructor of Persons with Disabilities (SIPD) program, demonstrating her commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in sailing.
Roman Durda
A yachtsman with motor disabilities and a longstanding consultant in accessibility, Roman has made significant contributions to advancing inclusivity in education and sports. For nearly a decade, he served as the Plenipotentiary of the Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań for people with disabilities. Additionally, he is a former board member of the Polish Yachting Association and the Wielkopolski Yacht Club, where he actively advocated for people with disabilities. As a skipper, Roman has competed in numerous European and World Championship regattas in the 2.4mR class. In 1992, he participated in the Barcelona Olympics as part of the pre-Olympic sailing team on the yacht Racero. A skilled organizer, he has arranged numerous sailing camps and activities for children with disabilities. At ISSA, Roman serves as a coach and expert on accessibility in sailing and was instrumental in developing the SIPD program.
Mariusz Zimnowłocki
A skilled yachtsman, motorboat helmsman, windsurfer, and long-distance kayaker, Mariusz has defied barriers to pursue his passion for water sports as a deaf individual. By profession, he works as an electronic component assembler, but his determination and warm-hearted nature have made him a beloved figure wherever he goes. Mariusz is always eager to share his knowledge and skills with others, inspiring those around him. His invaluable insights contributed to the development of the SIPD program, making him an integral part of the team promoting inclusivity in sailing.
Oliwia Korszun
Oliwia is a graduate of the Military Academy of Arts and the Gdańsk University of Economics, a specialist in economics, finance and Middle Eastern affairs. She has been involved in sailing since childhood and for many years has represented Poland in the international arena, winning the titles of world and European champion. Even though illness forced her to end her sports career, she did not abandon her passion – she founded a sailing company to train others and share her knowledge. Currently, he focuses on promoting sailing among people with disabilities, believing in its integrative and therapeutic potential.The experiences she gained during international internships, traveling, and living in Jordan – where she also discovered her passion for diving – have enriched her perspective and approach to work. For her, sailing is not just a sport, but a way of life and a mission, driven by the slogan: "If not you, then who?"
Michał Stronka
A dedicated yachtsman, activist, and project developer, Michał is a driving force behind several initiatives and NGOs focused on inclusivity. As a Project Manager at ISSA, he is the initiator of the SIPD program, which aims to make sailing accessible to individuals with disabilities. Michał firmly believes in the power of determination and hard work to achieve meaningful change, and his visionary leadership aims to inspire progress in the field of adaptive sailing.
