Many years ago, by chance I got involved with taking disabled people out on sailing trips.  One afternoon while preparing my sailing boat on the small beach at Muntelier of the lakeside of Murten, I noticed a young boy sitting in a wheel chair close to the waters edge. Out of the corner of my eye I could see how he was closely watching me as I prepared the boat. When the boat was ready I asked him if he would like to join me for a sailing trip. Together with his carers we lifted him into the boat and the four of us went for an afternoon sail.

While we were sailing the young boy told me how he was born with a muscle wasting disease which would only get progressively worse. Despite his illness he had a joy for life , he was optimistic, grateful and he loved the sailing experience. 

Through illness a close family member was also suddenly confined to a wheelchair so we experienced on a personal level how a persons life can suddenly change due to an illness or accident and also how all the family members lives are changed as a result of such an event.

I decided to get more involved in working together with people with disabilities, I did the Plusport course, (a fantastic course which I can highly recommend)  to become a qualified assistant for sporting activities with disabled people. I then worked as a skipper for a regional foundation that takes  disabled people out on sailing boats. These activities brought a huge amount of joy to the participants and also to me. 

In the region that I live on the lake of Murten there was no possibility for disabled people to go sailing on the lake of Murten so I decided I would do something.

JOY2SAIL is an association newly founded in 2026 by Paul Bays and Barbara Bays. It offers sailing activities for people with disabilities. Our association is located in the Canton of Fribourg and offers its activities on the Lake of Murten. Paul and Barbara Bays have been certified Royal Yachting Association Skippers since 1999. 

We have invested time and resources to build up an association with beautiful sailing boats.   Thanks to JOY2SAIL, participants of all ages and living with various types of disabilities can enjoy unique sailing activities on the lake of Murten which would usually be difficult for them to access. We have a total of five sailing boats including a catamaran which can take 7 persons including people in wheel chairs. Furthermore, they can be accompanied during these activities by their families, friends, or caregivers.

All activities are led by specially trained personnel experienced in operating equipment, conducting activities, and supporting people with disabilities. A non-profit organization, joy2sail raises funds through private donations and the support of its members. This allows us to offer unforgettable experiences with qualified instructors and quality equipment at an affordable price .

The inspiration for the association JOY2SAIL was born thanks to the joyfulness and gratitude of that one young boy, sitting in a wheel chair on the beach on the lake of Murten many years ago. 

The goal of JOY2SAIL is to bring joy to many more people just like that young boy."  

Paul Bays  - Co-founder JOY2SAIL

Our sailing activities are led by specially trained personnel experienced in operating equipment, conducting activities, and supporting people with disabilities.