INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

Marshal Piotr Całbecki met on Thursday (18 December) with representatives of water sports clubs, sailing associations, the Water Volunteer Rescue Service (WOPR), as well as students of a maritime technical school and scouts, to discuss the establishment of our regional School Under Sail. The foundation of this important initiative will be a training sailing vessel worth approximately PLN 15 million, donated by Grażyna and Roman Karkosik, along with a sailing marina in Włocławek taken over by the regional self-government. The school’s ambassador is Jan Mela.

“I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Karkosik for this valuable gift, which will enable young people from our region—including those at risk of social exclusion—to acquire new skills, shape their character, and overcome their own limitations. Our School Under Sail will also be a school for future leaders,” emphasized Marshal Piotr Całbecki in his speech. He was accompanied by Regional Councillors Jacek Gajewski (initiator and partner in the talks concerning the transfer of the vessel) and Sławomir Kopyść, as well as Gerard Werner, representing the Toruń community of people with disabilities.

“As part of the project, we want to integrate people with physical disabilities who also face mental barriers, as well as people at risk of social marginalization. This is extremely important. I believe that any form of activity that encourages people to leave their homes and build self-confidence is greatly needed today. I hope that together we will inspire young people to take action and instill in them self-belief as effectively as Marek Kamiński once inspired me,” said Jan Mela.

During the meeting at the Marshal’s Office, a preliminary donation agreement was signed. On behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Karkosik, the agreement was concluded by the company Unibax, with the document signed by the company’s CEO, Jakub Nadachewicz.

“Mr. and Mrs. Grażyna and Roman Karkosik learned from media reports about the Marshal’s ‘School Under Sail’ project addressed to children and young people from environments at risk of social exclusion. They decided to become involved in this initiative. We are pleased that the regional self-government has accepted this vessel,” he said, commenting on the background of the generosity shown by philanthropists connected with our region.

The donated vessel—a ketch-rigged sailing ship with two engines and a steel hull, adapted for sea navigation—was launched in 1999 and underwent a major overhaul two years ago. Its home port is Gdynia.

The meeting was attended by representatives of:

• the Polish Sailing Association and the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Sailing Association
• the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Scout District of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association
• the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Water Volunteer Rescue Service
• the Włocławek Water Volunteer Rescue Service
• the Regional Rowing Association Lotto Bydgostia
• Yacht Club Morski Columbus Świecie
• Toruń Sailing Club
• Aqua Włocławek Sports Club
• the Inter-School Sailing Club in Żnin
• the Toruń District Sailing Association
• Braille Bydgoszcz Sports Club
• the Inland Navigation School Complex in Nakło nad Notecią
• the 24-hour Youth Addiction Treatment Unit in Toruń
• Kormoran Sailing Club in Janikowo

A lively and very constructive discussion followed. Participants talked about how best to take advantage of the opportunity created by the establishment of the School Under Sail, which—thanks to the donated vessel—is now gradually becoming a reality. Representatives of the water sports community declared strong support for the initiative and their commitment to its development, also presenting very concrete proposals. It can be assumed that the school will become a space for maritime adventure that sailing enthusiasts in our region could previously only dream of.

At the current stage, the initiative is coordinated on behalf of the regional self-government by the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Centre for Education and Innovation and its Director, Małgorzata Sadowska-Rodziewicz.

See also: Marina Zarzeczewo – a future regional sailing centre

Beata Krzemińska
Press Officer of the Marshal’s Office

18 December 2025
Last updated: 19 December 2025