Scouting America – Croatia
In this interview, Nick, Jack, and Philippe from Camp Adventure discuss their sailing program and their use of Tiwal 3 Club boats. As the only resident camp in the Transatlantic Council region with a sailing program, they praise the Tiwal 3 as an ideal teaching vessel: stable, easy to handle, and able to fit several people.
The inflatable sailboat’s portability and compact storage make it perfect for camp settings. Kids prefer it to other boats like the Optimist because it’s lighter and simpler to use. The team also notes its speed, durability, and quality, calling the Tiwal a top choice for beginners despite its higher cost.
Nick, Philippe, and Jack are the program directors and training leads for the sailing program at Camp Adventure.
What is TAC Scouting America?
The Transatlantic Council serves Scouts America troops, crews, and other units based outside of the United States. We cover Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Western Asia. Camp Adventure is the only resident camp in this area with a sailing program, which makes it very unique.
Which Tiwal model do you have?
We currently have three Tiwal 3 Club boats.
What boat characteristics were you looking for?
We wanted something easy for beginners to handle, stable on the water, and more comfortable than traditional dinghies where you sit below the waterline. Storage was also important, since we only use the boats once a year and have very limited space. The Tiwal’s compact design makes it ideal.
Why is the Tiwal suited to your program?
Its flexibility is a huge advantage. We can put an instructor with several scouts, or let two or three scouts sail independently. It’s also portable, folds up easily for storage, and is very forgiving for new sailors. Compared to fiberglass boats, it’s much easier for us to maintain and use only during the summer.
What do the kids think about the boat?
They love it. Last year we tested both Optimists and a Tiwal, and the scouts overwhelmingly preferred the Tiwal. They like sitting higher above the water, having more space, and using simpler controls. It’s also faster, which makes it more exciting.
What do the sailing instructors think about the boat?
For us, stability is key. Many kids are nervous about capsizing, but once they’re on a Tiwal they immediately feel safe. They’re also easy to rig, launch, recover, and tow. From a teaching perspective, they’re perfect for demonstrating sailing basics.
What surprised you the most about the boat?
Definitely the stability. We expected it to behave like other inflatable sailboats, which look more like paddleboards with sails. But the Tiwal’s V-shaped hull makes it far more stable—even with four or five beginners onboard. The speed was another surprise: we’ve reached up to 10 knots, which is much faster than we expected.
In what wind conditions do you use the Tiwal?
Conditions here usually range from 5 to 12 knots, sometimes up to 18. That’s our cutoff for safety with the kids. But even in lighter winds, the boats perform really well.
What kind of users is the Tiwal best for?
It’s perfect for beginners and occasional sailors—someone who sails on weekends or during the summer with family. It’s also a great option for people who want to enjoy sailing without paying docking fees or maintaining an expensive boat.
How many scouts do you put on board the boat?
We usually fit between two and three scouts, sometimes with an instructor onboard. At maximum, it can hold four scouts and one instructor, depending on their ages and sizes. Even with that load, stability and maneuverability remain excellent.
Why should every scouting organization have a fleet of Tiwals?
Because they combine portability, stability, and affordability. Traditional boats like Lasers or Sunfish are great for learning, but they can be unforgiving and unstable, which discourages beginners. The Tiwal is easy to store, easy to use, and perfect for teaching scouts how to sail.
How much has the Tiwal been in use last summer?
We used them every day for about two and a half weeks, both mornings and afternoons. Each session lasted around two and a half hours, often including multiple capsizes per boat. Despite the heavy use, the boats showed no wear and still look like new.
How was the assembly?
Very straightforward. Setup takes about 20 minutes, and the included pump is helpful. The design is intuitive, even for first-time users.
How do you store the boats in winter?
We pack them into the provided bags and store them in a hut with some humidity but no temperature control. After nearly a year in storage, the boats were in perfect condition, identical to the new ones delivered this summer.