Australian Sailing has released a recent Participation Review that reveals key challenges to growing our sport at the same time as outlining a bold, nationally aligned plan to revitalise the sport across the country.
Image by: Beau Outteridge
Conducted in partnership with strategic consultancy Gemba, the research involved analysis of participation trends, club feedback, and member survey data. The findings paint a picture that while over 77,000 Australians currently participate in sailing and the sport has recently experienced multiple consecutive years of growth, sailing continues to grapple with outdated delivery models, inconsistent experiences, and low visibility.
Six Key Challenges to Grow Sailing
The report identifies six core challenges that sailing in Australia needs to overcome to assist more Australians to discover, enjoy, and stay involved in sailing:
- Inconsistent junior program delivery, with limited access to key programs like Tackers
- Rigid and time-intensive formats that don’t suit modern lifestyles or new sailors
- Drop-off between training and ongoing participation, due to unclear progression paths
- Lack of a consistent first-time experience, with minimal national standards or branding
- Low awareness and discoverability, both online and in communities
- Persistent cultural perceptions that sailing is exclusive, expensive, and/or intimidating
These issues have created systemic gaps in how people enter the sport, how they stay engaged, and how clubs are supported to deliver welcoming and sustainable experiences.
A New Vision: More People on the Water, In More Ways, More Often
In response, the report outlines a four-pillar approach, designed to tackle these challenges head-on and reshape the sailing experience in Australia:
- Unify the Entry Experience – Ensure consistent, age-appropriate, and accessible entry points across the country, especially for juniors and newcomers. A call to embrace the national branding of and programs included in Discover Sailing.
- Enable Flexible Participation – Create casual, social, and short-form sailing options that align with real-life motivations and busy lifestyles.
- Build a Connected Sailing Ecosystem – Improve discoverability through a national digital hub, enhanced storytelling, and modern marketing.
- Strengthen the Club Experience – Provide clubs with tools, training, and support to improve delivery, empower volunteers, and trial innovative formats.
These priorities are underpinned by 12 actionable initiatives, ranging from a reinvigorated Discover Sailing framework to a centralised digital platform and targeted national messaging.
Understanding Australia’s Sailing Communities
The review also introduces a new framework for understanding sailing’s diverse participants, defining five key customer groups:
- The New Wave – Young and adventurous, interested in foiling, winging, and casual formats.
- Cruisers – Experienced recreational sailors seeking social and lifestyle benefits.
- The Racing Crew – Competitive sailors focused on performance and structured racing.
- The Everyday Sailor – Loyal club members who value routine and community.
- The Club Community – Newcomers who are socially motivated but may not yet sail regularly.
Each group faces unique barriers to participation, highlighting the need for more tailored, flexible, and inclusive offerings.
Clubs at the Centre of Change
While challenges exist, the report is clear: clubs are the key to sailing’s future. With the right support, clubs can deliver high-quality, nationally aligned experiences that attract and retain participants from all walks of life.
To succeed, clubs must be equipped not just with boats and programs, but with modern tools, digital access, trained volunteers, and strong national leadership.
Call to Action: Align, Communicate, Deliver
Australian Sailing Acting CEO Ben Callard welcomed the report, noting its significance in guiding future growth.
“This review gives us a clear-eyed look at where sailing is today and where it needs to go,” said Callard. “We, the sailing clubs, classes and administration, must modernise how we engage with the community, embrace more inclusive formats, and better support the clubs who are the beating heart of our sport. This is about more than just participation. It’s about relevance, legacy, and ensuring sailing remains a vibrant part of Australian life.”
The next phase will use insights from the Gemba review to help shape a new Participation Plan for sailing in Australia, which will replace the current Participation and Membership Strategy. This plan will be developed in partnership with the sailing community through a national engagement process involving clubs, member and participant working groups, and collaboration with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) to align with the Australian Sports Sector’s Play Well Strategy. The new Participation Plan will be finalised by the end of 2025, with national initiatives to bring the vision to life launching soon after.
The full 2025 Australian Sailing Participation Review is available now via www.sailing.org.au. Australian Sailing invites all clubs, volunteers, and stakeholders to read, reflect, and get involved in shaping the future of the sport.
