Sailing Federations and Yachting clubs

The International Sailing Federation

"From its inception in Paris in October 1907, the governing body for the sport of sailing was known as the International Yacht Racing Union. On 5 August 1996, the IYRU changed its name to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).

The International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) evolved from the need for racing sailors to have a uniform set of rules and measurement standards. Since then IYRU/ISAF has developed a system of rules and measurement that are used world-wide in all sailing events.

The International Sailing Federation is officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the governing authority for sailing world-wide.

As such, ISAF is responsible for promotion of the sport internationally, managing sailing at the Olympic Games, developing the International Yacht Racing Rules and Regulations for all sailing competitions and the training of judges, umpires and other administrators, the development of the sport around the world, as well as representing sailors in all matters concerning the sport..." Learn more

"The roots of the ORC International handicap rule lie in the history of the International Measurement System (IMS), whose history is described in the IMS section of this web site. Suffice to say, it is the handicap rule of choice where the highest standards of objectivity, scientific accuracy, international application, and flexible scoring options are desired by race organizers. No other rating rule in the world today can match these features.

ORC International will continue to use the IMS platform of multiple modules from measurement to scoring. Boats required to have ORC International certificates will have to be measured using all the criteria listed in IMS.

However, the software for the most important part - the Velocity Prediction Program (VPP) - has been completely rewritten, with major functions reviewed and recent submissions and research results implemented to produce a more powerful and flexible software package. As more data is reviewed and tested, and as the sport evolves in its technological development, ORC International will also evolve to maintain its standards of accuracy and fairness.

As such, this is the most sophisticated and modern VPP-based rating product available in the world today, and is intended for use at championship-level events where the highest standards of accuracy are desired to produce the best results..." Learn more

"The ISSA office welcomes people coming from various countries. They are all professionals of teaching sailing and either work in sailing schools or are part of national authorities. The Administrative Council meets twice a year. This is when all executive decisions are taken. We are very careful regarding the ISSA internationality and make our most to preserve this diversity. This is the only way for us to maintain constructive and original exchanges.

ISSA gathers at least once a year in order to make exchanges easier between members. This is also the occasion to discuss and work together on developing teaching sailing worldwide.

ISSA was created in 1969 on the initiative of the Glénans Sailing Centre together with Polish, Italian, Swiss and British sailing schools with the objective of giving international recognition to a growing number of sailing school organisation.

ISSA is a non-profit organisation and it’s objectives are:

- To promote and support all institutions teaching sailing.
- To develop the sport of sailing through teaching at all levels and in all craft; dinghies, windsurfers, catamarans, keelboats & cruising yachts..."

Learn more about the International Sailing Schools Association

"The Women's International Match Racing Association was formed in 1996 to promote, coordinate and supervise women's international match-race sailing and support the inclusion of a Women's Match-Racing Event in the Olympic Games. These goals are still forefront in our focus..."

Learn more about WIMRA

"Sailing is truly a sport for everyone. Regardless of physical or mental abilities, our sport provides a challenging, rewarding and fulfilling experience. From the very first time on the water to the most intense competition following years of training, sailing is the ultimate adventure.

The International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) works with grassroots efforts, developing countries, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to bring people onto the water at every level of skill, competition and enjoyment. Competition is governed by a series of documents designed to provide a relatively equal playing field, always with the focus of leveling up instead of down. Grassroots, development and awareness efforts are managed through the Development Committee and help new sailors experience the thrill of the sport..."

Learn more about the International Association of Disabled Sailing

"US SAILING was originally organized as the North American Yacht Racing Union (NAYRU) on October 30, 1897. The founding members were the Inter-Lake Yachting Association, New York Racing Association, Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association, Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound, Yacht Racing Association in Massachusetts, and the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club.

The organization's original purpose was to encourage and promote yacht racing and to unify the racing and rating rules in the United States and Canada and throughout the yachting world..." Learn more about US Sailing

College Sailing
"College sailing began on an informal, club basis in the 1890's, and organized racing started in 1928. It has grown to include more than 200 active colleges, and racing now occurs on every weekend during fall and spring seasons and on many weekends during the winter. It is a truly coeducational sport, and it has proved itself the best incubator for the development of racing skills. Former college sailors have always numbered significantly among Olympic medallists and America's Cup competitors.

Many colleges that race also offer excellent and extensive recreational and instructional programs to members of their communities and, in a number of cases, to the general public. Education and training have been the corner stones of the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA), the governing authority, since its inception. The introduction of novices to the sport of sailing and the providing of opportunities for the recreational sailor has often prompted colleges and universities to offer more extensive and significant support to programs than would have been the case without these services. MIT, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Charleston, and the University of California at Irvine are particularly notable, for at each of these institutions many hundreds of students, faculty and staff participate. The vast majority of college sailing is done in double and single handed dinghies, but some programs do have intermediate sloops, offshore and cruising boats, or sailboards to offer their members.

The Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) is the governing authority for sailing competition at colleges and universities throughout the United States and in some parts of Canada. There are seven District Associations that schedule and administer regattas within their established geographic regions:

Middle Atlantic (MAISA), Midwest (MCSA), New England (NEISA), Northwest (NWICSA), Pacific Coast (PCCSC), South Atlantic (SAISA), and South-Eastern (SEISA)..." Learn more about the College Sailing

EUROSAF

"EUROSAF has the ultimate objective of being an organisation with all European National Sailing Authorities as full members. (Currently there are 38 member countries from a maximum of 46). The organisation will endeavour to coordinate and develop the sport of sailing through an exchange of information and facilitating decisions on matters of mutually agreed common interest. EUROSAF has the following main objectives:

- To promote the practice of sailing, and an exchange of knowledge and experiences, with the national sailing federations of all European nations.
- To promote the coordination and unification of policies for the sport, including those for European championships and other international competitions.
- To establish and/or coordinate with all interested parties the yearly European regatta calendar in the respective categories.
- To promote and extend the exchange of Race Officials.
- To promote the training of Race Officials.

EUROSAF shall not be a member of any organisation, excepting those directly linked to sport such as the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), nor shall it represent the policies or interests of individual members. It shall not act on matters which are the responsibility of MNAs acting within their own territory, or in respect of their membership of ISAF." Learn more about the European Sailing Federation

Asian Sailing Federation

The RYA

"The RYA is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrowboats, and personal watercraft.

The RYA’s mission is to promote enjoyable, safe and successful UK sailing and motorboating.

Primary Objectives
To increase participation and enjoyment in boating by:

- Inspiring more adults and children to go sailing more often
- Increasing the satisfaction of participants and volunteers to sustain and grow sailing participation
- to all individuals and organisations associated with boating;
- in conjunction with the appropriate agencies;
- so that the number of preventable incidents and deaths is reduced...."

Learn more about The Yacht Racing Association (RYA)

"Fédération Française de Voile (FFVoile) a pour objet d’encourager, de promouvoir, de développer, d’animer, d’enseigner, d’encadrer, d’organiser, et de contrôler dans la limite de ses prérogatives le sport de la voile sous toutes ses formes de pratiques, que celles-ci soient à visée de compétition, de loisir, de pratique éducative et sociale ou d’intérêt touristique.

Elle est membre de l’International Sailing Federation (ISAF), autorité internationale du sport de la voile."

Learn more about the Fédération Française de Voile

About ABYC
"Responding to a mid-'50s boom in recreational boating, the American Boat & Yacht Council was formed by members of the Motorboat and Yacht Advisory Panel of the U.S. Coast Guard's Merchant Marine Council. It was incorporated on February 1, 1954, in New York State as a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation.

At the organization's initial meeting of incorporators and members – held April 30, 1954, at New York's Hotel Lexington – 43 people from all facets of the boating industry were on hand to get the fledgling Council properly launched. Phelps Ingersoll of the Wilcox-Crittenden Corporation was named the first president and ABYC became a working entity.

Over the next 50 years ABYC has grown in various ways--all of them good. Our office moved from a rented house in Amityville, New York, to rented office space in Millersville, Maryland, to our present headquarters building bought by the ABYC Foundation in 1992.

The first set of standards, "Life Saving Equipment" (H-9) and "Battery Chargers" (E-6) were introduced in 1956. The first edition of "Safety Standards and Recommended Practices" was published in 1965 and consisted on 9 standards. Today, "Standards and Technical Information Reports for Small Craft" (previously known as "Standards and Recommended Practices for Small Craft") contains over 65 standards and is growing.

In addition to writing standards, ABYC designed a comprehensive education program beginning in 1989. The education programs include seminars, workshops, Marine Technician Certification program, and standards accreditation.

ABYC will continue to research, develop, review and publish manufacturing and service standards for the boating industry. It is our aim to make recreational boating a safer sport in the next millennium!" ... Learn more about ABYC

RIISA

"RIISA was founded in 1973 for the purpose of providing education and training in the technique of racing and designing sailboats for national and international competition and thus improve the caliber of candidates for the representation of the United States in the Olympic, Pan American Games, America’s Cup Series, or other international racing events.

The corporation has a broad charter, within which its management is qualified to embark on many varied pursuits within the marine field. Thus far the focus of effort had been the encouragement and training of young Rhode Island sailors in their efforts to achieve the highest levels of U.S. and International sailing competitions

Funds are needed to assist young people to train for and compete in high level events both in this country and abroad. Sailors apply to us for grants and we consider each request on a case-by-case basis and assign grants based on need. We rely on contributions from the public for the funds that we then give to applicants..."

Learn more about RIISA

Navy Sailing's objectives:

"• To promote fleet readiness and personal professionalism and to strengthen naval ties to our national maritime heritage through small craft training programs
•To augment and reinforce the professional training of prospective naval officers by sail training, thus providing hands-on, sea-and-wind experience.
• To encourage and assist Commanding Officers in promotion of boating and sailing as a part of their training and recreational programs
• To encourage the organization of local Branches of the Association throughout the naval service
• To encourage and establish liaison between members of the Association and local yacht clubs and sailing associations at home and abroad
• To encourage local authorities to provide berthing, launching, storage, and repair facilities in naval establishments for members’ boats"

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Hong Kong Sailing Federation

"The Hong Kong Sailing Federation (HKSF), formerly Hong Kong Yachting Association, is the national authority for the sport of sailing in Hong Kong. Founded as the Hong Kong Yacht Racing Federation in 1962, the HKSF was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee in 1970 under the name Hong Kong Yachting Association. It changed its name to Hong Kong Sailing Federation in 2004 following the change of name of the International Sailing Federation. The HKSF membership consists of individuals, associations and clubs.

The HKSF is affiliated to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) , the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF) and the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC). It also represents interests of the recreational boating and yachting circles of Hong Kong on the Marine Department Committee as well as the interests of Hong Kong sailors to the Hong Kong SAR Government, Leisure and Cultural Services Department etc..."

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THE YACHTING ASSOCIATION OF INDIA

"Sailing in India can be traced back to the first recorded race being sailed on 06 Feb 1830 in Bombay (now Mumbai). Till the time the British left India after the Second World War, the five active sailing clubs were based at Bombay, Madras, Bangalore, Barrackpore and Nainital..."

"...The Yachting Association of India was formally constituted on 15 May 1960 and was registered under the Societies Registration Act XXVI of 1961 on the 22 December 1964 at Calcutta, West Bengal.

The YAI is affiliated to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), which is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the governing authority for sailing world wide.

The YAI is also officially recognised by the Indian Olympic Association and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India as the governing authority for sailing, windsurfing, motor boating, powerboat racing and personal watercraft, at sea and on inland waters in India. As such the YAI is responsible for promoting the sport in the country, developing and training of judges, umpires and other administrators of the sport and representing the sailors in all matters concerning the sport.

There are currently 09 class associations affiliated to the YAI, ranging from the smallest, the Optimist Dingy to the largest, the J 24 class." ...

Learn more About the Yachting Association of India

Founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier III of Monaco and presided over since 1984 by H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the Yacht Club de Monaco offers a convivial harbour for more than 950 members, comprising 53 nationalities.

Gathering the most prestigious private yachts in the world under its flag, the Yacht Club is now a key player in the international Yachting and leisure yachting industry.

Its new Clubhouse (18.000 m² of total area), designed by Lord Norman Foster’s studio and planned to be achieved by 2012, will contribute to Port Hercule’s liveliness and to the prestige of the Principality… An ambitious project, which will be an incredible showcase, a true symbolic for third millennium Monaco....

The Royal Danish Yacht Club (RDYC) was founded on 3 July 1866 after a regatta in Nyborg (Funen), and was originally named the Danish Association for Pleasure Sailing (Dansk Forening for Lystsejlads). Ever since then, the Club has worked to promote sailing in Denmark and to support its members in their favourite sport.

The Club rapidly increased its number of memberships, and when it celebrated its 25-year jubilee in 1891, it counted about 900 members, about 1,700 in 1920, but then the Club experienced a decrease in the post-war era. In the period 1930-1958, the number of members remained stable around 1,000; then the number increased again until it peaked in 1983 with about 2,700 members. Today RDYC has about 2,200 members of which many live in the provinces or abroad....

Learn more about the Royal Danish Yacht Club

The World Sail Speed Records Council was established by the International Yacht Racing Union (now renamed the International Sailing Federation) in 1972. The object was to provide impartial results for increasing numbers of claims to high speed sailing craft (on water: never on ice nor land!). Early on the decision was made to base such speed ratifications on a one-way leg of exactly 500 metres. Meetings were held every year, often several meetings a year, in various suitable places in the world and speeds climbed with boats of various configurations and with sailboards.

In 1988 following several controversial claims about the times and status of long voyages, WSSRC was asked to take over additionally offshore sailing records.

Since 2001 the organization has a full time Secretariat. Hardly a day goes by without some form of activity in what is now a separate and increasing branch of the sport of sailing. The undoubtedly expert council draws members from Australia, France, Great Britain and the USA. Its most immediate duty is the ratification, or otherwise, of timed claimed records, inshore and offshore, which have been achieved in accordance with the rules of WSSRC. Certificates are issued to record holders and their times are listed. WSSRC has a facility for issuing Performance Certificates to sailors who wish to be officially times over accepted courses, but are not expecting to beat a record. Another service is a continuous coordinated list of best elapsed times of offshore racing events in all parts of the world, accepting the times of the race committee....

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