CARIBBEAN SAILING ASSOCIATION

The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) proudly announces the successful conclusion of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Regatta Organizers Conference, held from June 25 to June 28, 2025, in St. Maarten. This year’s gathering saw participation from a diverse group of stakeholders, including regatta organisers, sailing club representatives, and key industry experts, all coming together to elevate the sport of sailing within the Caribbean region. 

 The AGM and ROC presented key updates on CSA initiatives, with Delegates engaged in fruitful discussions on enhancing regatta experiences, sharing best practices, and leveraging technology for improved event management. 

    A key feature of the conference were the presentations from renowned sailing experts, exploring vital topics such as race management technology,  environmental stewardship, and marketing strategies for regattas. A new in depth analysis tool was presented which is now available to members to understand their markets. Attendees had the opportunity to network, share insights, and develop partnerships aimed at promoting sailing tourism across the Caribbean. Presenters included Damian Foxall & Meg O’Reilly of Marine Mammal Advisory Group, Professional Sailors Peter Holmberg & Anthony Kotoun, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, LV Yachting, Sail Racing Academy, SC2Success & the many regatta organisers in attendance and on zoom.

“Our annual Conference has been an inspiring meeting of minds and passions,” said Bastien Pouthier, the re-elected CSA President. “In the spirit of our Caribbean culture, we embrace the challenge to innovate and create unforgettable sailing experiences while safeguarding our precious marine environment. In a tough world-wide economic environment we recommitted to collaborating throughout the year and this will be evident in our marketing initiatives starting in July and allow us to concentrate on the quality of our events."

The conference concluded with a region-wide agreement on the International 5 Calendar, featuring a lineup of exciting events designed to attract both local participants and international competitors as well as a new campaign which will seek to elevate the regional events. A commitment to delivering a regional dinghy sailing calendar was also agreed to with a clear objective to encourage increased Caribbean participation at the youth level.

Alongside President Bastien Pouthier, the previous board has all been re-elected. Of this, Pouthier comments, "I am looking forward to a very productive year with a committed and experienced board. For 2025-26 we will be looking at further outreach to our membership through our various committees."

The CSA extends its gratitude to all attendees, sponsors, and partners who contributed to the success of this year’s events, supporting a vibrant future for sailing in the Caribbean.

For more information about the Caribbean Sailing Association, upcoming events, or to get involved, please visit www.caribbean-sailing.com or contact us at news@caribbean-sailing.com.