What surprised me, though, is that during my sailing course, no one ever mentioned sustainability. There was a lot of talk about technique, safety, and navigation, but nothing about the environmental impact of what we do — from the products we use on board to how we manage waste or maintain our boats.

In my first solo outings, I’ve started paying more attention to small things: avoiding single-use plastics, collecting any floating trash I find, using eco-friendly detergents, and trying to consume less water and fuel when possible. It made me realize how sailing can become a real laboratory for sustainability — a place to experiment with balance, resourcefulness, and respect for the environment.

I’d love to hear your thoughts:

• Have you had similar experiences in your sailing schools or clubs?
• Do you think sustainability should be a more explicit part of sailing education?
• And what have you learned from the sea about living in a more sustainable way?

Looking forward to your reflections and ideas! 🌍✨

I wanted to draw attention to the fact that sailing courses often completely forget to mention sustainability. This has been my experience, and I would like to know if other members of the community have had the same experience. I never heard the instructors talk about sustainability, respect for the environment, or eco-friendly practices. Everything focuses on technique, safety, and navigation, which is fine... but the sea is also the environment that hosts us, and it seems to me that this aspect is often overlooked.

I wonder if it's partly a question of mentality: perhaps in traditional clubs and courses, sustainability is not seen as a priority or even as a “complication” for beginners. Or perhaps it is taken for granted that everyone should learn it on their own, outside of lessons.

As a beginner, I started to discover some small practical tips on my own: reducing plastic, choosing more eco-friendly detergents, paying attention to waste on board. However, I would like to understand:

• Have others noticed this lack of awareness in courses?
• Why do you think sustainability struggles to find its way into sailing training?
• What kind of approach or small lessons could help beginners develop a more environmentally friendly mindset right from the start?

I hope to open a stimulating discussion on this topic, because I believe that even in basic courses, the seeds for more sustainable sailing can be planted.

Mat

My name is Mat, and I am new to sailing: I have been practicing for about a year. In addition to learning the basics of navigation and boat handling, I am very interested in sustainability issues and understanding how to apply them to life at sea.

I would love to exchange ideas with you, share experiences, and discover practical tips for making sailing more environmentally friendly.

I look forward to reading your advice and participating in discussions!

Fair winds! ⛵🌱