Sail Training International
Sail Training International is a UK-registered charity that organises The Tall Ships Races and Regattas and coordinates a worldwide network of National Sail Training Organisations, connecting young people aged 14–25 — including disadvantaged youth and people with disabilities funded through bursaries — with sail training vessels across 25+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersGosport, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Sail Training International does
Sail Training International is a UK-registered charity (no. 1096846) and company limited by guarantee headquartered in Gosport, founded in 1956 to organise The Tall Ships Races and Regattas — an international sailing event series now in its 70th year. The organisation operates as the global coordinating body for sail training, connecting young people aged 14–25 with sail training vessels through the Find Your Adventure portal, a Vessel A-Z directory covering four vessel classes (A–D), and a worldwide network of National Sail Training Organisations (NSTOs) spanning 25+ countries. STI also runs the YB satellite tracking service for its fleet, the Blue Flag environmental certification scheme (53 vessels enrolled, in partnership with FEE since 2011), and an annual International Sail Training and Tall Ships Conference.
Its core product is The Tall Ships Races and Regattas — flagship events that draw 50–60+ vessels and 8,000+ crew and trainees per cycle, with the 2017 Baltic edition alone attracting 4+ million visitors. Underlying technology is deliberately light: STI does not develop proprietary technology products; its digital surface is a content and event-coordination website, blog, email newsletter, and standard social media channels, with YB tracking provided by a third party. The organisation's distinctive technical contribution is its event governance — the Rule of Rating, Safety Management System, International Sail Endorsement Scheme, and four-class vessel rating regime that standardise participation.
STI's business model is non-profit and event-driven. Revenue is not directly generated from participants (berth prices are set by individual vessel operators); instead, income flows from host port partnerships (e.g., Aarhus, Harlingen, Stavanger), corporate sponsorship and bursary funding (Royal Navy of Oman since 2012, Marlow Navigation Netherlands, John E. Burnett Family), donations, and event coordination fees. All surpluses are reinvested into bursaries supporting disadvantaged youth — over £100,000 was allocated in 2019 alone, and the Oman Bursary alone has disbursed over £450,000 since launch. STI serves three primary segments: young people aged 14–25 seeking experiential learning, disadvantaged youth funded through bursaries, and people with disabilities supported via the John E. Burnett Bursary. Operational scale is modest — 11–50 staff at the Gosport headquarters — and the Tall Ships Races 2026/2027/2028/2029 calendar indicates stable, multi-year programme continuity.
Sail Training International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sail Training International
- Legal name
- Sail Training International
- Website
- https://www.sailtraininginternational.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sail Training International is a UK-registered charity that organises The Tall Ships Races and Regattas and coordinates a worldwide network of National Sail Training Organisations, connecting young people aged 14–25 — including disadvantaged youth and people with disabilities funded through bursaries — with sail training vessels across 25+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sail Training International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development & Sailing Events
- NAICS
- Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839)
- SIC
- Water Transportation (4400), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE), Sailing & Water Sports Teams/Clubs (Sailing, Rowing, Surfing) (MPAKABAH)
Keywords
Where Sail Training International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gosport
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sail Training International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Event Organisation and Coordination: Sail Training International organises The Tall Ships Races and Regattas, generating revenue through event coordination, participant fees, and port partnerships. The organisation is a registered charity (no. 1096846) and company limited by guarantee (no. 4686048).
- Donations and Sponsorship: The organisation receives donations and sponsorship to support its mission of youth development through sail training. Over £100,000 was allocated to supporting young people with fewer opportunities in 2019 alone through funds and bursaries.
- Bursary and Grant Management: Sail Training International manages various bursary funds including the Oman Bursary Fund, Youth Development Fund, Canada Legacy Fund, and Research Fund. These funds are supported by partners and donors and distributed to eligible participants.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Sail Training International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sail Training International is a not-for-profit international charity that organises and coordinates The Tall Ships Races and Tall Ships Regattas, the world's largest regular gathering of traditional sailing vessels. It operates a global network of National Sail Training Organisations (NSTOs), maintains vessel directories and booking portals, runs the Blue Flag environmental certification for sail training vessels, and administers multiple bursary funds (including the Oman Bursary, Youth Development Fund, Canada Legacy Fund, and Marlow Navigation Bursary) to enable young people aged 14-25, particularly those with fewer opportunities or disabilities, to participate in sail training voyages.
Product overview
Sail Training International operates a platform-and-event structure centered on The Tall Ships Races and Regattas, which serve as the flagship experiential learning programs for young people. The organization provides a suite of services including the Find Your Adventure booking portal, Vessel A-Z directory, YB Tracking for fleet monitoring, and the Blue Flag environmental scheme. Financial support is available through multiple bursary programs (Youth Development Fund, Canada Legacy Fund, Oman Bursary). The Sail On Board sub-brand handles trainee-facing adventure discovery, while Local Sail Training coordinates with NSTOs worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Tall Ships Races International sailing race series for Tall Ships serving as the organization's flagship event, bringing together thousands of young people and vessels from around the world for competitive racing and cultural exchange.
- Tall Ships Regattas
Quantifiable outcome
- Over £100,000 allocated to supporting young people with fewer opportunities in 2019 alone
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Sail Training International
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sail Training International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Sail Training International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)coreIn 2011, Sail Training International worked with FEE to extend the Blue Flag Scheme to include sail training vessels. The scheme shows that vessels have pledged to protect the seas they sail on, with 53 vessels signed up to date.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sail Training International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tall Ships Youth Trust: UK-based charity that operates its own fleet of tall ships to provide sail training voyages for young people aged 12-25, including disadvantaged youth. Directly comparable in mission (youth development through tall ship sailing), funding model (charity with bursaries), and target demographic to Sail Training International.
- Jubilee Sailing Trust: UK charity operating two tall ships specifically designed to enable disabled and non-disabled people to sail together. Directly comparable as a sail training charity focused on inclusion and accessibility, mirroring STI's bursary-supported access model.
- Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO): UK-based industry body representing sail training organisations and charities. Comparable as a coordinating body in the same sail training ecosystem that STI operates within, with shared focus on youth development and member organisation support.
- Ocean Youth Trust South: UK charity providing sailing opportunities for young people aged 12-25, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Directly comparable as a sail training charity with similar bursary-supported model and target demographics.
Broad incumbents
- Clipper Ventures: Commercial organization operating the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and clipper race training program. Comparable as a major international sailing event organizer with a training component, though operates on a commercial rather than charity model.
- World Sailing: International federation governing the sport of sailing worldwide. Comparable as the global umbrella organization for sailing that oversees international sailing events, including youth development pathways, providing the regulatory framework within which STI operates.
Regional players
- Sail Training Association Netherlands (STAN): National sail training organization in the Netherlands coordinating tall ship sailing opportunities for Dutch youth. Comparable as a member of STI's global NSTO network, providing the same sail training coordination role on a national basis in continental Europe.
- Europa Passage Sailing Foundation: German sail training charity offering youth development voyages on traditional sailing vessels. Comparable as a European sail training charity with similar mission of youth personal development through tall ship experiences.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sail Training International social profiles
Digital presenceSail Training International compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Sail Training International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sail Training International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Sail Training International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sail Training International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sail Training International
What does Sail Training International do?
Sail Training International is a not-for-profit international charity that organises and coordinates The Tall Ships Races and Tall Ships Regattas, the world's largest regular gathering of traditional sailing vessels. It operates a global network of National Sail Training Organisations (NSTOs), maintains vessel directories and booking portals, runs the Blue Flag environmental certification for sail training vessels, and administers multiple bursary funds (including the Oman Bursary, Youth Development Fund, Canada Legacy Fund, and Marlow Navigation Bursary) to enable young people aged 14-25, particularly those with fewer opportunities or disabilities, to participate in sail training voyages.
Is Sail Training International a public or private company?
Sail Training International is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Sail Training International founded?
Sail Training International was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sail Training International based?
Sail Training International is headquartered in Gosport, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Sail Training International make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Event Organisation and Coordination is the primary driver. The others are donations and Sponsorship and bursary and Grant Management.
Who are Sail Training International's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tall Ships Youth Trust, Jubilee Sailing Trust, Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) and Ocean Youth Trust South. Broad incumbents are Clipper Ventures and World Sailing. Regional players are Sail Training Association Netherlands (STAN) and Europa Passage Sailing Foundation.
Does Sail Training International have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sail Training International.
What industry is Sail Training International in?
Sail Training International's product category is Youth Development & Sailing Events. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAJAG, Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails), with a secondary code of EDAOANAE, Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations. Its NAICS code is 48721 and its SIC code is 4400.