Physical education class has moved to the shores of Lake Balaton in Balatonalmádi

The Györgyi Dénes Sailing School Program was launched as part of the Veszprém-Balaton European Region of Sport 2026. During the fall semester, the last two physical education classes on Fridays are dedicated to sailing, so students can regularly spend part of their classes on the shores of Lake Balaton this year. The program provides them with a total of six lessons as well as one morning sailing session.

This initiative is of particular significance to the school, as among the former students of Györgyi Dénes Primary School, we also find the Vadnai brothers. Jonatán Vadnai won a world championship title this year, while his brother, Benjamin Vadnai is also an Olympic sailor. The institution is proud that its former students represent Hungarian sailing at such a high level.

““Our school isn’t a sports school, but it is a school that promotes sports,” – said principal Attila Ács, who believes the institution considers it important for students to become familiar with as many different forms of physical activity as possible, whether competitively or as recreational activities.

The program began on September 11, with the first two sessions still held on school grounds. The students learned the basics of sailing through playful activities, but starting September 18, they moved to the Association’s base in Kaptalanfüred, at VGYE Dinghy Club. According to the plans, the kids will ride their bikes from school to the marina each time.

Richárd Náray, president of the Sailing Children’s Association, said that it was already evident from the very first time that the kids' interest in sailing had been piqued. The long-term goal of the programis to ensure that it does not remain a one-time initiative: the association hopes that in each school semester, in a progressive system, more and more students could be introduced to the sport. At the same time, the president added:

In addition to promoting sailing, the initiative also aims to foster a closer connection to Lake Balaton according to István Szépvölgyi, director of the Hungarian Sailing Academy, it is important that young people living near the lake.