With Clean Regattas hosted in 53 countries around the world, we rarely get the opportunity to see our organizers face-to-face. Most of our work supporting events happens virtually, and we’ve gotten to know hundreds of clubs without ever stepping foot inside them. This is part of why it was such a treat to attend this year’s World Sailing Conference in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, an annual gathering of the sailing industry’s key stakeholders to discuss the future of the sport.
Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana arrives at the 2025 World Sailing Conference!
World Sailing is a close partner in our mission to activate and empower the sailing community to restore ocean health, and this year’s conference was no exception. Sustainability was front and center across all sessions we were lucky enough to attend. Our week started with a workshop hosted during the Development Symposium, a series of sessions dedicated to shaping the future of the sport. This year, the theme was One Sport, One Future: Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact. Our workshop on Clean Regattas and the Clean Class Initiative fit right in with the inspiring discussions shaping a bright future for sailing. While I spoke about our organization and programs, as well as our collaboration with World Sailing, the main focus was gaining feedback from attendees. In the room, there was a mixture of seasoned Clean Regattas organizers from around the world as well as folks who were learning about the program for the first time. Together, we discussed the hurdles they face, successes they’ve had, and what resources they need to achieve their sustainability goals in the future. Whether they are just embarking on their sustainability journey or about to run their annual event aiming for Platinum Level Certification, understanding the needs of event organizers is at the core of the Clean Regattas program. Thanks to this discussion, we left the workshop armed with new strategies to improve our impact.
Program Manager Emily presents at the Development Symposium, with input from veteran Clean Regatta organizers Stratis Andreadis of Greece and Raynor Haagh of New Zealand.
For the rest of the week, we were honored to be included in the agenda for sessions from World Sailing Classes and Youth Events to the Oceantic & Offshore Committee. In these meetings, Sustainability Director Alexandra Rickham and Sustainability Executive Rebecca Videlo shared the refreshed Agenda 2030 steering their work at World Sailing and across the sport, especially highlighting the need for collaboration and the role of Clean Regattas in these plans. In their inaugural Impact Report, World Sailing shared that the number of events registered as Clean Regattas is increasing, as is the level that the events are ultimately certifying at. The World Sailing Sustainability team believes in the power of partnership and has included us in their strategy for moving sailing events forward to reach their climate goals. As Alexandra shared in the Sustainability Commission session, we have a duty to collaborate, not duplicate, and the relationship between Sailors for the Sea and World Sailing is key to delivering on their 2030 sustainability goals.
Program Manager Emily presenting in the Events Committee, Sustainability Commission, and Youth Events Committee.Communications Manager Steff and Program Manager Emily with World Sailing Director of Sustainability Alexandra Rickham (left) and Sustainability Executive Rebecca Videlo (right).
Throughout all the meetings, presentations, and lively discussions, the highlight of the conference was meeting sailors and event organizers from around the world. I was able to catch up with many long-time partners in person for the first time, as well as introduce new folks to our programs. I was energized by the enthusiasm for sustainability throughout the conference, with many new organizers wanting to learn more or registering their events as Clean Regattas on the spot. We even gained a new member of the Clean Class Initiative – announcement coming soon!
We couldn’t be more grateful for the World Sailing Sustainability team and the whole sailing community. The passion for the future of the sport, and protecting the environment we rely on to sail, came through loud and clear. We left Ireland inspired by the work being done and ready to keep pushing the needle forward.
