Sailing Sports: a crossroads between tourism education, geography, and sustainability

This study explores the role of sailing sports as a platform for tourism education, geographic awareness and environmental sustainability. Through a multidisciplinary analysis, the paper aims to outline how sailing, a recreational activity rooted in different maritime cultures, can contribute to a greater understanding of and respect for our natural and cultural environment.After the introduction, in the section on tourism education, the paper examines howsailing sports can serve as unique educational tools, offering an immersive context for learning about maritime culture, the history of coastal communities and their local traditions. It discusses how sailing can encourage more responsible and conscious tourism, promoting respectful interaction with the destinations visited. On the geographical front, the research emphasises the importance of the relationship between sailing activity and the marine environment. Indeed, the ability to sail depends on knowledge of sea currents, wind direction and the morphology of the coastline. Sailing, therefore, not only increases individuals’ geographical awareness but also provides an opportunity to emphasise the importance of conserving and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems. Finally, the issue of sustainability in sailing sports is addressed. The need for sustainable practices, such as using environmentally friendly materials and reducing the environmental impact of sailing activities, is discussed. Sailing emerges as an example of how recreational activities can be carried out sustainably, balancing pleasure with environmental responsibility. In conclusion, this research aims to provide an in-depth understanding of how sailing sports can be a vehicle for environmental education, awareness and sustainability, offering insights for further research and practice in this field.