1/13/2026
When we protect our athletes, we protect Sailing.
It might be fleet, match, or team racing that gets you out on the water. You might love the energy of a regatta or prefer long offshore endeavors. Whatever fills your sails, to be the first to reach the finish line you will need to keep your calm and intuit the wind, become intimately familiar with every aspect of your craft, and always keep an eye on the weather. Sailing is more than a sport; it’s a lifestyle. When we protect sailors, we keep this sport safe and healthy for all.
Courage First Athlete Helpline
Use this resource if you are in need of confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a no-cost call and text service for anyone in need. +1 888-279-1026
Common Sailing Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Sailing has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Sailing environments can potentially involve isolated locations for practice and competition, and adverse water conditions require a high level of physical safeguarding.
- Sailing athletes may experience Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) due to excessive training and physical exertion. This can make athletes vulnerable to injury and abuse.
- Sailing athletes may place a high level of trust in their coaches. This can lead to psychological dependence, blurred boundaries, and/or grooming in the coach-athlete relationship.
What’s the difference between tough coaching & abuse?
The Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams below can be used as a gut check; consider the conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community, and discern whether what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach-athlete relationship. For athletes who have unhealthy relationship dynamics with their coaches, inappropriate behavior can be subtle and difficult to discern. Awareness and prevention of these patterns of power and control help keep everyone safe.
Current Events
Unfortunately, news articles chronicling misconduct in sport and unhealthy coach-athlete dynamics are frequent and widespread. Abuse in sport has been occurring for decades, and the public is now becoming aware of these hidden situations as more and more survivors bravely disclose and report misconduct they have experienced. #WeRideTogether is committed to increasing awareness and continually updating this compiled list of current events on the topic of sexual abuse in sport. Sexual misconduct is happening across all sports, at all levels, internationally.
12/20/2025
Olympic sailor’s former coach sentenced to six years in sex abuse case
9/24/2025
Former N.S. sailing team member suing sport governing bodies, alleges they ignored sex assault
2/18/2025
Argentine Olympic sailor's ex-trainer arrested for alleged abuse
10/18/2026
Youth Sports Families Allege Travel Company Threatened Their Kids' Playing Status If They Didn't Pay Lodging Fees
10/15/2026
Athletic trainer at San Jose school accused of sexual battery of student
10/14/2026
Details emerge on police raid of ex-Kempsville High School athletic director’s home
10/11/2026
As sports betting is normalized, college players have become targets of aggrieved bettors
Sailing Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Environmental Safety, and Safeguarding within Sailing.
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Concussion Recognition Tool
Physical Safety
Gain an understanding of concussion protocol and post-diagnosis procedures.
Do you know the most common injuries in sailing?
Physical Safety
Learn about common sailing injuries and injury prevention.
Sailing Safety Briefing
Physical Safety
Learn about lifejacket safety and capsize and man overboard procedures for sailing.
World Sailing Academy
Safeguarding
Educational courses on safeguarding and inclusion in sailing.
Survivor Stories
Survivors are increasingly stepping forward to bravely tell their stories. The following stories reflect the survivors’ personal experiences, as told by them, and may be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct. All information has been anonymized.
If you are a survivor interested in sharing your story and learning more about this process, please reach out to us at info@weridetogether.today.
We want to hear from you!
You are not alone.
What resources or information do you want for your sport? Contact us and let us know.
If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct or abuse, please access these resources for help. For additional information on confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click the button below.
View Crisis Resources
