World Sailing Development Symposium shares pathways to grow the sport

Attendees from 21 MNAs, two Regional Associations, three Class Associations and representatives from World Sailing Special events joined the Symposium being held for the first time since 2019 with the aim of encouraging knowledge sharing and providing attendees with practical tools to take away and further their sailing activities.

The symposium was opened by World Sailing’s Head of International Development, Koray Ezer, who thanked attendees for taking the time to come together to further the development of the sport.

Day one – Participation Sailing

Presentations were given by the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, Asian Sailing Federation Development Committee, Oman Sail and the Polish Yachting Association as each shared their development priorities and how programs developed in their countries giving attendees different experiences to learn from.

World Sailing presented the programs on offer to support MNA’s in these areas. The day culminated in an open floor discussion on the different priorities facing the growth of sailing and how to increase participation, including how to embed inclusivity into the program design, increasing links with schools and the curriculum, ensuring an MNA has a long-term vision, fostering relationships with MNAs to share knowledge and ensuring the increased media promotion of development activities.

Day two – Developing Pathways in Performance Sailing

The second day began with presentations from the 420 Class and the IKA, showing the different options available and the resources offered to support with the development of sailors and coaches.

World Sailing again shared its programs available to support MNAs with the development of Performance Sailing before hearing from the SSL Gold Cup, highlighting the opportunities for nations development in World Sailing Special Events.

Further presentations from the Egyptian Sailing and Water Federation and the Polish Yachting Association rounded off the speakers before progressing to best practice for developing pathways in each nation. Discussions focussed on ensuring there is both a single-handed and double-handed pathway as well as developing coaches to maintain the long-term sustainability of programs.

The symposium was closed by World Sailing President, Quanhai Li and Vice Presidents, Özlem Akdurak and Cory Sertl. Each attendee pledged an action they will take to develop sailing within their MNA, Class Association or Event.

Pledges included increasing pathways for females into coaching and officiating, working to make sailing more inclusive for all participants, and assessing opportunities in board programmes, and each pledge will be followed up in six months’ time to see how World Sailing can support them further with their actions.