The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) announces the 15th edition of the Glider School, an internationally recognized training forum in marine glider technology, which will take place from October 20 to 24 at its headquarters in Telde, Gran Canaria. The application period for attendance will remain open until June 30. Interested individuals can find more information at http://www.gliderschool.eu.
The educational content of the Glider School covers both hardware and software aspects through dedicated theoretical and practical sessions in classrooms, laboratories, and open waters, using real glider units from different technologies—both profiling and surface types (AutoNaut, Sailbuoy, Slocum, Seaglider, and Seaexplorer). The focus is on the technical characteristics, operational capabilities, and specific performance of each.
This highly specialized training week offers an introduction to the handling and operation of the main commercial marine glider technologies. It is aimed at professionals and trainees worldwide involved in a broad range of oceanic scientific and technical disciplines, including engineering, marine sciences, maritime services, and academia, among others. Following the 2024 edition, a total of 221 students from 36 countries across five continents have been trained through the Glider School.
The Glider School benefits from the direct support of leading global manufacturers of both gliders and oceanographic sensors—as well as other modules that make up these cutting-edge, unmanned autonomous marine observation platforms—who participate as part of the teaching staff, alongside expert operators from academia and sectors linked to the Blue Economy.
Photo: Participants in the 2024 Glider School
Author: Alejandro Quevedo, PLOCAN