Conducted by the University of Winchester and funded by the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (ASSF), the study draws on interviews and focus groups with pupils, parents, teachers, instructors, and sailing organisations to understand the holistic value of sailing.

The findings highlight that dinghy sailing does far more than teach technical skills. Participants reported significant improvements in confidence, teamwork, physical fitness, and mental well-being, with children learning to work in teams, make decisions, and overcome challenges in a fun and exciting environment. Teachers and instructors also noted increased concentration, resilience, and the ability to apply learning across school subjects like maths and geography.

ASF played a critical role in supporting access to this opportunity through programme delivery and facilitating connections with sailing centres. Without this support, many of the young people, especially those new to water sports, may never have had the chance to experience the water and build these crucial life skills.

What’s next? The researchers recommend further longitudinal studies to track changes over time and validate the perceived benefits with measurable data. This would help shape a life skills curriculum for sailing instructors and broaden access to sailing as a tool for education and well-being.