Inclusion & Access
In order to grow sailing the barriers to participation have to be reduced and social inclusion promoted.
World Sailing Day-28 May supports all initiatives, events and organisations who are actively seeking to improve the accessibility of sailing. Especially;
- People with disabilities,
- Disadvantaged youth and
- Underrepresented groups
World Sailing Day-28 May also encourages the recognition and inclusion of Women in sailing. Women currently represent only about 16% of sailors, indicating a great opportunity to increase overall sailing participation by addressing the issues of empowerment, confidence, and the opening up of opportunities for Women to enter leadership roles in clubs and organizations as well as taking the helm.
World Sailing Day-28 May’s objectives include the promotion of existing as well as the encouraging of new Inclusive initiatives across the globe.
Inclusivity in practice
World Sailing Day – 28th May highlights and supports initiatives that actively welcome people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities and income levels into sailing.
We look for clubs, community organisations and programmes that are already working locally, and we use the WSDO platform to give their efforts more visibility, connections and support
Addressing structural barriers
Many people are kept out of sailing by structural barriers – cost of participation, lack of nearby facilities, limited equipment, cultural perceptions, or not knowing anyone “on the inside”.
Encouraging hosts
Through World Sailing Day – 28th of May we encourage hosts to design low- or no-cost activities, share equipment where possible, partner with schools and community groups, and create programmes that are explicitly welcoming to women, young people, and communities who have historically had less access to the sport.
How we act on inclusion
To turn these principles into action, World Sailing Day-28 May is developing a set of tools and partnerships. Some are already active; others are being built with clubs and organisations around the world.
Access Pathways Directory
We are building a searchable directory of grants, scholarships, training programmes, apprenticeships, community sailing centres and mentorship opportunities related to sailing and the marine industry.
The aim is to make it easier for individuals, clubs and organisations to find existing support that fits their context, rather than starting from scratch.
SailingMiles support
Through our partnership with SailingMiles, companies and sailors linked to World Sailing Day can direct miles into inclusion.
In partnership with hosts, SailingMiles can be used to reduce the cost of participation in WSDO–related activities – for example entry fees, introductory courses or local events – so that people and families with limited financial room can still join.
Miles, or their equivalent value, can also be donated into participation funds that support specific programmes and groups who would otherwise not be able to take part.
Both routes exist for one reason: to lower financial barriers to sailing, not to add extra perks for those who already sail comfortably.
Lower-cost ways into sailing
One of WSDO’s core objectives is to reduce the financial and practical barriers that stop many people from trying sailing.
We encourage hosts to offer entry-level sessions at low or no cost, use shared equipment, and collaborate with local schools, youth organisations and community groups so that a first step onto the water is genuinely within reach.
Belonging in a global community
Our Day aims to increase opportunities for more people to benefit from sailing and its community life on the water, especially those who have historically been left out.
Inclusion is not only about access to a boat; it is also about feeling safe and respected once you are part of the community.
Join us in commemorating
World Sailing Day – 28th of May!
We invite clubs, community organisations, schools, NGOs, companies and harbour authorities who are working on inclusion – or who want to start – to connect with us.
Together we can link your local initiatives to the wider May 28th’s World Sailing Day programme and support activities that put the principles above into practice.
