News Introducing ROPE - the Recycled Optimist Parts & Equipment Program

Introducing ROPE - the Recycled Optimist Parts & Equipment Program

IODA is launching a new sustainability initiative called ROPE.

IODA aims to promote sustainability and social responsibility with its ROPE program by engaging the sailors worldwide to recycle and reuse Optimist Parts and Equipment by sharing with their peers all around the world.

The idea is to encourage our sailors to bring extra equipment to IODA Championships so it can be collected, catalogued and distributed to local sailing schools in need as well as to specific schools, clubs, and countries that are in dire need of this equipment, giving it a second life and good use. 

We are launching the program at the North American Championship in Riveria Nayarit, Mexico, taking place May 29th to June 5th

We will be reaching out to countries participating and asking their sailors to bring with them extra equipment such as: Sails, foils, spars, bailers, oars, lines, hardware like wind indicators, blocks, etc. all in good condition. Unfortunately, it does not involve clothing.

This equipment can easily fit with the equipment that the sailors already travel with to the events. Some sailors have extra equipment at home that they have outgrown, some will sail their last event, some just have extra Opti parts and equipment at home.

A Collection Center will be set up at the venue and supervised by a designated person at the event.

Sigrid Beckmann, VP of the Americas who was involved in the development of the program commented, “We are very excited about launching this new sustainability program with our members and sailors.  This is part of a continued effort by IODA to move the Optimist Class towards becoming green where sustainability, the circular economy and the respect for the planet resources are critical to the future.”

Beckman continues, “We look forward to extending this program to all our IODA Championships whereby the participants give gently used Opti parts and equipment to sailing programs in need as part of the legacy that we leave behind after the hosting on an IODA Championship.”

IODA is looking forward to scaling The ROPE Program in the future and working with our members, sailors, builders, suppliers and partners to develop this program globally.