Centro Velico Caprera

What Centro Velico Caprera does

Centro Velico Caprera, operating as Fondazione CVC - Centro Velico Caprera ETS, is an Italian non-profit sailing school founded in 1967 on the island of Caprera in the Maddalena Archipelago, Sardinia, with its administrative headquarters in Milan. The organization has trained over 150,000 students since its founding and is supported by more than 2,000 volunteer instructors (the Caprerini), making it Italy's largest sailing institution and one of the most recognized in the Mediterranean. Its core offerings span dinghy (Deriva) and cabin cruiser (Cabinato) courses across beginner to advanced levels, alongside competitive sailing programs (CVC Academy), youth courses (Under 14, ages 12-14), short-format weekend and bridge courses, and special programs combining sailing with marine conservation, navigation, and culture. The school operates seasonally from February through October from its primary base on Caprera's south coast, which includes three settlements (Punta Coda, Perfezionamento, Precrociera) with dormitory accommodation, an infirmary, and an on-site commissary (spaccio) selling technical sailing gear and provisions.

The business model rests on three primary revenue streams: (1) course tuition fees, which are paid at enrollment confirmation and cover instruction, accommodation, meals, and boat use; (2) on-site retail sales of sailing gear and provisions through the commissary; and (3) premium special programs such as CVC Academy, Master Stage (coached by Olympic champions and America's Cup sailors), Wing Foil, Class 40 ocean clinics, and technical navigation trips. Distribution is exclusively direct via the company's website (centrovelicocaprera.it), with a guided intake questionnaire for beginners and direct admission application for experienced sailors. The institution operates as a non-profit foundation (Ente di Terzo Settore) with founding members including Touring Club Italiano, Lega Navale Italiana (Milan section), and A.I.V.A. CVC, and is led by President Stefano Crosta. Notable extensions include the M.A.R.E. citizen science project launched in 2022 with One Ocean Foundation (completing its first four-year Mediterranean mapping cycle in 2025), the 'Il Mare come Cura' therapeutic sailing program in partnership with We Will Care Onlus for oncology patients, and the Marine Meteorology online course launched in 2022.

Name

Centro Velico Caprera

Legal name

Fondazione CVC - Centro Velico Caprera ETS

Website

https://centrovelicocaprera.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centro Velico Caprera is a non-profit Italian sailing school founded in 1967 on Caprera island, Sardinia, offering dinghy and cabin cruiser courses for 150,000+ alumni, supported by 2,000+ volunteers and extending into citizen science and therapeutic sailing programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sailing Education

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)

Keywords

• Sailing education courses
• Dinghy sailing instruction
• Cabin cruiser training
• Competitive sailing academy
• Marine citizen science

Headquarters

HQ city

Milano

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Sailing course fees: Tuition fees for structured sailing courses on dinghies and cabin cruisers. Courses range from initiation (D2) through advanced CVC Academy, with durations from weekend courses to multi-week programs. Course fees cover instruction, accommodation (dormitory style), meals, and boat use at the Caprera base. Fees are paid at enrollment confirmation.
2. Retail/commissary sales: On-base commissary (spaccio) selling technical sailing gear (oilskins, gloves, wetsuits, neoprene boots), sailing clothing, snacks, beverages, and personal hygiene items. Sales are cash, ATM, or credit card at point of sale. Alcohol sales are restricted during peak weeks (weeks 23-31).
3. Special courses and advanced programs: Premium programs including CVC Academy (competitive sailing), Master Stage (coached by world champions such as Roberto Ferrarese, Ganga Bruni, Max Sirena), Wing Foil courses, Class 40 ocean sailing clinics, and technical navigation trips (e.g., Brittany). These carry distinct pricing from standard course offerings.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Centro Velico Caprera is a sailing school offering structured courses on cabin cruisers and dinghies at its base on Caprera island in Sardinia. Course programs include initiation, refinement, and advanced levels, plus the CVC Academy for competitive sailors, special environmental courses, under-14 youth courses, and weekend/holiday formats. Beyond courses, it runs the M.A.R.E. citizen science project aboard catamaran One and has recently introduced Wing Foil instruction.

Product overview

The Fondazione Centro Velico Caprera ETS operates as a sailing and sea school founded in 1967 on the island of Caprera, Sardinia, offering a portfolio of sailing courses centered around two core boat types: cabin cruisers (cabinato) and dinghies (deriva). The course portfolio spans multiple program types including CVC Academy (advanced competitive sailing), Corsi Speciali (special environmental/navigation courses), Under 14 (youth sailing for ages 12-14), and Weekend e Ponti (short-format weekend courses), all supported by a guided Percorso Didattico for beginners and a Domanda per Ammissione Diretta for direct admission of experienced sailors. Beyond traditional sailing education, the school runs the M.A.R.E. (Marine Adventure for Research & Education) citizen science project in partnership with One Ocean Foundation, has recently introduced Wing Foil as a new discipline, and offers a Marine Meteorology course delivered online. An on-site shop (spaccio) sells technical sailing gear and provisions. The school is operated by over 2,000 volunteers and has trained more than 150,000 students since its founding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CVC Academy: Advanced sailing program for experienced sailors with competitive approach, focusing on racing strategies and maneuvers
• M.A.R.E.
• We Will Care

Products and services

• Cabinato (Cabin Cruiser Courses) Cabin cruiser sailing courses that prepare students to navigate independently, even without a skipper, teaching boat handling, crew management, and life aboard. Targeted at adults seeking cruising competence.
• Deriva (Dinghy Courses) Dinghy sailing courses offering a sporty and dynamic experience aboard lightweight, responsive boats, developing technique, balance, and wind sensitivity in close contact with the sea. For sport-oriented sailors.
• CVC Academy

Quantifiable outcome

• 150,000 students trained since 1967
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor, core and flagship / founding.

• One Ocean FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaborative partner on the M.A.R.E. (Marine Adventure for Research & Education) citizen science project. One Ocean Foundation co-founded the project with CVC in 2022, providing scientific direction and funding for the catamaran One mission to study Mediterranean Sea health. The project has completed its first four-year cycle.
• SorgeniaminorOthers · 1 January 2022Sorgenia donated and installed a photovoltaic system at the Caprera base in 2022 as part of a broader environmental collaboration. This followed Sorgenia's initial involvement as a sponsor of the M.A.R.E. project launch press conference in April 2022.
• SEA ME SardiniaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Non-profit organization with which CVC collaborated on the Navigation and Environment course. SEA ME Sardinia contributes marine biology expertise and scientific content to the course program, which includes sailing combined with environmental data collection.
• Clean Sea LifeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020European co-funded project focused on increasing public attention to plastic pollution in the sea. CVC supports Clean Sea Life initiatives, including awareness campaigns and seabed cleaning activities at Porto Palma in collaboration with ESA Worldwide and other partners.
• La Maddalena Archipelago National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The National Park authority collaborates on seabed cleaning initiatives and environmental education activities at Caprera. The park's sponsorship and collaborative interest validate CVC's environmental commitment in its host territory.
• Touring Club Italianoflagship / foundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1967Co-founding partner of Centro Velico Caprera in 1967 alongside Lega Navale di Milano. Touring Club Italiano supported the establishment of the school with institutional backing and resources, contributing to the vision of creating a sailing school grounded in Italian maritime traditions.
• Lega Navale Italiana – Sezione di Milanoflagship / foundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1967Co-founding partner of Centro Velico Caprera in 1967 alongside Touring Club Italiano. The Italian Naval League (Milan section) contributed naval expertise, maritime networks, and operational support to establish the school on Caprera island.
• A.I.V.A. CVC – Associazione Istruttori Volontari e Allievi del Centro Velico CapreracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of Volunteer Instructors and Students of Centro Velico Caprera. Listed as a founding member of the Foundation and a recipient of student data for institutional and commercial purposes. Organizes technical sailing trips such as the Brittany navigation program jointly with CVC.
• We Will Care OnlusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian non-profit promoting psychological support and empowerment for cancer patients. CVC hosts therapeutic sailing courses ('Il Mare come Cura') for We Will Care participants, combining sailing with psychotherapy aboard the Caprera base. We Will Care provides financial support enabling patients to attend courses.
• Aisoni Taxi ServiceminorOthersTaxi operator in Olbia/Palau with which CVC has a convention for student transfers from Olbia airport/port to Palau. Services include cumulative transfers (€20/person), private cars (€90), and vans (€140). CVC recommends this service to students and it is listed in official travel instructions.
• International Sailing School Association (ISSA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCVC participates in ISSA events and attended Boot Düsseldorf alongside ISSA in January 2019. ISSA represents international sailing schools and provides a platform for CVC's international visibility.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UKSA (United Kingdom Sailing Academy): UK-based youth-focused sailing and watersports academy offering residential courses from beginner to instructor level. Comparable to CVC in delivering residential multi-week sailing education with a social-mission component and structured progression pathways.
• Les Glénans: France's largest sailing school and nonprofit federation, founded in 1947. Directly comparable as a multi-site nonprofit sailing school with structured pedagogy, cabin-cruiser and dinghy training, and volunteer instructor model. Cited by CVC as the defending champion it defeated at the 2018 European Sailing Academies Cup.
• Annapolis Sailing School: Long-established US sailing school offering beginner through advanced cruising and racing courses on cabin cruisers and dinghies. Directly comparable as a for-profit sailing school with structured progression pathways and recreational-to-elite training offerings.
• J/World Sailing Performance Sailing School: US-based performance sailing school offering cruising, racing, and advanced sailing courses. Comparable to CVC's CVC Academy in focusing on advanced technique, racing strategy, and high-end coaching using dedicated training fleets.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Yachting Association (RYA): UK national governing body for sailing that sets training standards, certifies instructors, and accredits sailing schools. Comparable as a broad incumbent shaping the sailing education ecosystem; CVC participates in international sailing school associations alongside RYA-affiliated networks.
• Sunsail: Global sailing vacation and charter operator offering flotilla holidays and skipper training in the Mediterranean. Comparable as a Mediterranean sailing experiences provider with overlap on cabin cruiser training and bareboat preparation audiences CVC serves.
• Fédération Française de Voile: French national sailing federation overseeing sailing schools, instructor certification, and competition in France. Comparable to CVC's regulatory and pedagogical ecosystem in Italy and serves as a parallel incumbent governing sailing education standards in a major European market.
• The Moorings: International yacht charter brand with Mediterranean bases offering sailing vacations and bareboat charter preparation. Comparable as a broad sailing experiences incumbent overlapping with CVC on the cabin-cruiser cruising and charter-readiness customer segment.
• Club Med: All-inclusive resort operator with sailing schools at multiple Mediterranean and Caribbean resorts. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering beginner-to-intermediate sailing instruction as part of a packaged vacation experience targeting overlapping leisure-travel customers.

Emerging players

• North U Sailing Seminars: US-based provider of performance sailing seminars, racing clinics, and rule-focused instruction. Comparable to CVC's CVC Academy as an emerging specialist in advanced racing and tactics coaching, though focused on shore-based seminars rather than residential immersion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cvcaprera
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CentroVelicoCaprera
• Facebookfacebook.com/CentroVelicoCaprera

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centro Velico Caprera