Growing participation in Para & Inclusive Sailing – Why the numbers matter

Thanks to the Inclusive Development Programme (IDP) and our collective global efforts, the picture has never been clearer or more encouraging. 

Since its launch in 2023, the IDP has now engaged 184 participants from 36 countries, including sailors, coaches, officials, and classifiers. Importantly, 38% of those participants have been female, a positive sign that our movement is not just expanding but also becoming more inclusive and representative of the communities we serve. 

The IDP has delivered clinics in Asia, Europe, and Oceania, and has been instrumental in planting the seeds for new sailing programmes. Clinics don’t just offer training; they create long-term change by equipping MNAs and local coaches with the tools and knowledge to sustain Para Inclusive Sailing at home. 

As of July 2025, the Para Sailing Rankings includes sailors from 34 countries. Beyond that, World Sailing now tracks Inclusive Sailing activity in 45 countries worldwide, reflecting both organised regattas and national-level competition. Together, this data demonstrates a healthy upward trajectory towards our strategic target of 40 ranked countries by 2029. 

This growth is not only about numbers on a page – it is about the evidence we need to demonstrate that Para Inclusive Sailing is truly global. The addition of countries such as Uruguay and Pakistan shows that momentum is reaching new regions, giving sailors opportunities in places that previously had no pathways. 

Participation data is far more than an administrative requirement: 

• It ensures sailors are properly represented in official rankings and world standings. 
• It gives MNAs and classes credible evidence to lobby for resources, equipment, and coaching support. 
• It underpins World Sailing’s engagement with the IPC, governments, and funding partners, demonstrating that our sport is vibrant, competitive, and growing worldwide. 
• It strengthens the legitimacy of our call for a return to the Paralympics by proving reach and diversity at every level. 

Every Sailor ID, every classification record, and every uploaded result sheet builds the story of a community that cannot be ignored. 

India offers a powerful example of how IDP investment translates into sustained growth. Following the 2023 Singapore IDP, India moved quickly to activate a national programme, bringing new sailors and coaches into the fold. In 2024, the IDP led directly to the launch of the Asian Inclusive Sailing Series (AISS)a collaborative event – the first of its kind in the region. 

The momentum has continued into 2025, with the second edition of the AISS already set to welcome more sailors, more countries, and more competition, hosted by the Royal Mysore club in India. What began as a single development clinic has created a regional series – a perfect example of how World Sailing’s development model can spark growth that endures. 

Participation is not only measured in numbers but also in stories of individual sailors who find their way into the sport. One such story is Zaida Pérez Bugueño from Chile. Introduced to sailing through the inclusive development programme during the World Sailing Championships in The Hague, Zaida’s first contact with the sport. Within a short period, she went from complete newcomer to active competitor, earning her Sailor ID and entering events around the world, seeing her reach 7th in the World rankings. 

Zaida’s journey highlights the importance of creating accessible entry points for sailors with disabilities. With the right structure in place – equipment, coaching, and classification support, an individual can move quickly from trying sailing for the first time to representing their country on the international stage. Zaida’s story is exactly why the IDP matters: it shows how development pathways can unlock talent, confidence, and lifelong participation in sailing. 

The next three months will be crucial. With the World Sailing Annual Conference, the Inclusion Championships in Oman (3–8 December 2025), and our IPC submissions (Classification Rules and Research due 30 November; full submission 15 December), participation data will sit at the heart of every conversation. 

We are confident in the trajectory we are on. Para Inclusive Sailing is active in 45 countries, with 34 represented in our rankings, and the IDP continuing to inspire and equip sailors worldwide. But this is only possible with the continued support of our MNAs, classes, and sailors – ensuring results are submitted, Sailor IDs are created, and events are properly recorded. 

The message is clear: Para Inclusive Sailing is growing, global, and inclusive.  

Together, we are proving that sailing is truly One Sport, open to all.  

With every new sailor and every new country, we show the world that our movement is Limitless – breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and building a future where every sailor has the chance to compete.