Sailing Heroes
The Sailing Heroes pillar focuses on the individuals and crews whose conduct, commitment and results set a standard for others – whether in stadium racing, remote passages or inland fleets.
It is less about a single spectacular moment and more about season-long excellence, judgement and contribution: how people prepare, decide, behave under pressure and support those around them.
Both high-profile campaigns and quieter local heroes are welcome. The jury looks at how people lead and carry themselves over time, not only at headline results.
The Hero Categories
For each of the 10 sailing types within the World Sailing Day, an individual contributor is singled out for his/her outstanding contribution made towards the expansion of sailing. As reminder – the categories are :
Competition
The Competition Sailing Award celebrates athletes whose results, sportsmanship and preparation set the pace for others.
Cruising
The Cruising & Blue‑water Sailing Award celebrates voyagers who plan and complete notable passages with quiet professionalism.
Motor
The Motor Sailing Award celebrates mariners who master the combined discipline of sail and power.
Inland
The Inland Sailing Award celebrates communities and sailors who make lakes and rivers central to local life.
Youth
The Youth Sailing Award celebrates young sailors who show exceptional progress, character and commitment.
Board
The Board Sailing Award celebrates windsurfing and related disciplines where athleticism meets reading the breeze.
Classsic
The Classic Sailing Award celebrates the people and teams who keep traditional vessels and skills alive on the water.
Exploration
The Exploration Sailing Award celebrates expeditions that expand knowledge, open routes or document remote waters with care.
Model
The Model Award celebrates model yacht design, build and racing where small hulls prove big ideas.
E-Sailing
The E‑Sailing Award celebrates competitive digital sailors and organisers who bring tactics and community into the virtual arena.
Individual of the Year
The Company Award celebrates organisations whose products, services or philanthropy measurably strengthen the sailing ecosystem.
SET SAIL for SUCCESS !
WORLD SAILING DAY AWARDS
Key Dates and Deadlines
Each sub-categrory contestant is required to submit a complete entry within the time period indicated. Once the submission has been approved it will be published on the Awards Voting section of the webiste. The on-line voting will take place in two rounds as indic ated and the final will take place and be announced in London on 28 May – World Sailing Day.
entries open & close
Open Date: 01/01/26
Close Date: 25/02/26
shortlist date
Online Voting Start: 20/03/26
Online Voting Close: 25/03/26
Announced: 01/03/26
semi-final date
Online Voting Start: 20/03/26
Online Voting Close: 25/03/26
Announced: 01/03/26
final date
Judges Voting Start: 20/03/26
Judges Voting Close: 25/03/26
Announced: 28/05/26
Why Enter?
Entering the World Sailing Day Awards is a chance to share your work with the wider sailing community, be reviewed by independent experts and open doors to new collaborations and growth.
Global recognition & Visibility
Your work seen & Respected across the international sailing community.
Both entering & winning an award comes with press and social media coverage, increasing your visibility, and making a wider circle of prospective customers and partners aware of your brand
The results of higher credibility and visibility mean higher sales and revenue.
Credibility
Independent review with fairness and transparency at its core.
Awards make your brand more
trustworthy since they imply recognition
from an independent third party.
Consumers are more likely to buy from companies that have received a third-party seal of approval. Prospective investors are also more inclined to back an award-winning business.
GROWTH & OPPORTUNITY
A recognised award gives you a story you can use in pitches, on your website and in campaigns.
It can help you open conversations that were hard to start cold, support membership growth or funding applications, and make it easier for potential partners to say “yes” to a first meeting.
Connections
Discovery by clubs, brands, festivals, and ports seeking collaborators.
Opportunities to engage with clubs, creators, innovators and organisations across sailing.
Why It Matters
Recognition at the World Sailing Day Awards is a mark of distinction – it shows the world that youn
company stands at the helm of progress, innovation, and commitment to the spint of sailing.
For many organizations, this award has become not only a symbol of excellence, but a launchpad for now partnerships, visibility, and commercial opportunities.
Recognise the full picture of a campaign or voyage
This pillar values preparation, decision-making and conduct as much as trophies or headlines.
Support future opportunities
A shortlisting or win can help with selection, sponsorship, speaking invitations and leadership roles within clubs, federations and teams.
Provide visible role models
Young sailors, volunteers and new entrants gain concrete examples of how to train, compete and behave – when things go well and when they do not.
Record a generation of sailors
Inclusion in the Sailing Heroes archive ensures that the work of crews and individuals at every level becomes part of the era’s history, rather than disappearing at the end of a season.
Who this is for
Sailing Heroes entries can come from sailors and crews whose example lifts a community, including:
- Competitive sailors and teams with sustained impact in their classes or circuits
- Young sailors whose development and behaviour mark them out as future leaders
- Skippers and crews undertaking significant cruising or exploration voyages
- Specialists in particular disciplines (boards, inland, motor-sailing, digital) who raise the bar for their communities
Be part of it!
This Kit explains eligibility, submission requirements, evaluation, and ceremony
details for all WSDA entrants. It ensures transparency, consistency, and fairness
across all award tracks.
SHORT FACTS
Open to companies, startups, research teams and solo developers working in sailing-related tech or software.
Your product must be real and testable (beta or live – no pure concepts).
You can enter in more than one category if the fit makes sense.
All entries must be submitted before the published deadline.
Entry fees and any multi-category discounts are as listed on the page and in the Entry Kit.
Reduced rates may apply for non-profits, youth projects and early-bird entries.
If cost is the only barrier to entering, you can contact the organisers in confidence to explore support options.
Entries are first checked by the organisers for eligibility and basic fit.
Public voting highlights popular and impactful solutions.
A specialist jury then reviews entries using clear criteria: innovation, usefulness, impact on safety / performance, and long-term potential.
Final results follow a fixed scoring model (public + jury) which is explained in the Entry Kit.
A short description of what your technology does and who it’s for.
Evidence that it works in practice (demo link, screenshots, or a short video).
At least one real-world example or user story you’re allowed to share.
A contact person who can answer jury questions if needed.
Become the Benchmark!
Your entry helps set higher standards within your area of sailing – encouraging better practice, wider access and a more sustainable, inclusive future on and off the water.
Your Impact
By entering, your company directly supports the wider sailing ecosystem – from clubs and youth
academies to environmental sustainability programs and maritime heritage projects. Every
submission helps fuel the growth and modernization of sailing worldwide, ensuring that the industry remains vibrant, inclusive, and future-ready.
See all categories!
We have multiple categories.- more than one may apply to you!
Sponsored by Sailing Miles
We are proud to partner with Sailing Miles as the official sponsor of the World Sailing Day Awards, helping to support and elevate the global sailing community.
