Yachting Associations

International, national and regional yachting associations act as governing bodies for the sport and aim to promote participation. The complexion of each organization might vary depending on location, but they all provide information about competitions, as well as rules and regulations that pertain to their various regions. Some associations have smaller organizations or clubs as their members.

  1. International Sailing Federation

    • The International Sailing Federation's governing body has developed rules and measurements that are used across the world. Before the rules and measurements were devised, yachts from different countries had difficulty competing against each other. The federation is now recognized as the international governing body for sailing by the International Olympic Committee. It also carries out the promotion of the sport and manages competitions at the Olympics as well as its own events, such as the ISAF Sailing World Cup. Sailors from around the world are represented by the organization, and a total of 128 nations are members.

    US Sailing

    • US Sailing started out in 1897 as the North American Yacht Racing Union. Its mission was to promote yacht racing and to unify rules across the U.S., Canada and the rest of the world. Today it has a broader remit to serve and represent the sailors of the U.S. The association runs 17 national championships for different age groups and disabilities. It oversees the certification of instructors and has a set of national guidelines. It also offers a number of safety courses and training programs.

    Local U.S. Yachting Associations

    • Many states and counties within the U.S. have their own yachting associations. Some of the smaller clubs are members of larger associations. The Inter-Lake Yachting Association, for example, has dozens of smaller clubs in states that include Michigan, Ohio, New York and Ontario.

    Worldwide Yachting Associations

    • Yachting associations are present worldwide. The Canadian Yachting Association's members include all levels of enthusiasts, from recreational sailors to international athletes. It has approximately 80,000 active members and represents more than a million sailors in Canada. In the U.K., the Royal Yachting Association oversees all types of boating, including yacht racing, power boating and narrow boating.