The Academy is positioned as a one-stop destination for learning across all levels and roles within the sailing world—whether you’re an athlete, coach, race official, club administrator, or volunteer. What sets it apart is the flexibility it offers: learners can work through content at their own pace, on any device, from anywhere in the world. The platform was specifically designed with global reach in mind, especially for users from developing sailing nations who may not otherwise have access to high-quality training resources.
Fiona Kidd, World Sailing’s Head of International Development, described the launch as “a pivotal moment for our sport,” highlighting the Academy’s ability to “empower our entire community and prepare them for the future of sailing.” The platform delivers learning in a way that is tailored, trackable, and inclusive—underpinning World Sailing’s commitment to removing barriers to entry and ensuring every sailor has the tools to thrive.
The World Sailing Academy opens with a suite of courses that serve both technical and ethical dimensions of the sport. Among them is the Fundamentals of Race Management—an essential starting point for anyone looking to support regattas or progress to formal race officer certification. It’s a prerequisite for the Level 1 National Race Officer Course and is now available online for the first time. Also featured is an Equity, Diversity & Inclusion module, offering practical guidance on how to make clubs and events more welcoming and accessible for all participants.
For those working with youth or vulnerable groups, the Safeguarding in Sport course is another important foundation. It’s recommended for anyone participating in major World Sailing events, including coaches, volunteers, and organisers. Other offerings include Sailing-Specific Conditioning, a targeted fitness course designed to enhance performance and reduce injury.
Courses are supplemented by dedicated resource hubs such as the Coaches Hub, Women in Sailing, Para Inclusive Sailing, Environmental Sustainability, and Anti-Doping education—each offering articles, tools, and on-demand webinars curated by experts.
- Key features of the platform include:
- Self-paced, mobile-friendly learning
- Digital certification upon course completion
- Structured learning pathways for Race Officials, Coaches, and Administrators
- Regularly updated course content and new modules in development
World Sailing also plans to integrate the Academy into its existing Technical Courses for Coaches, offering preparatory online modules before in-person sessions begin—creating a more efficient hybrid learning model.
As the Academy expands, new areas like Event Accessibility Planning, Para Classification Fundamentals, and Inclusive Coaching are also on the roadmap. Registration is open and free to anyone involved in sailing, with simple online sign-up via the Academy portal.
LEARN MORE: https://www.sailing.org/world-sailing-academy/
