From beginners to instructors, ISSA connects sailing schools and enthusiasts worldwide. We promote safe, high-quality sailing education, certification, cultural exchange, and a lifelong respect for the ocean.
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Explore ISSA Courses & Certification
Learn to Sail. Earn Your ISSA Certification.
Discover the ISSA training system, offering a comprehensive pathway from beginner sailing courses to advanced skipper qualifications. Built around established training standards, ISSA courses combine essential nautical knowledge, practical sailing skills, and a strong focus on safety.
Whether you are starting with the ISSA Yacht Crew certificate, progressing to skipper qualifications such as Inshore Skipper, or aiming for the highest level of competence with Master of Yacht, ISSA provides a structured pathway to develop your skills and advance your sailing career.
Explore the ISSA certification system and find the qualification that matches your experience, ambitions, and sailing goals. Earn an internationally recognised qualification and take your sailing to the next level.
Explore qualifications suited to your experience and goals.
2. Complete Training
Learn through an ISSA-accredited school and complete the required training and assessment.
3. Earn Your Certificate
Receive your ISSA certification after successfully completing the course requirements.
All certificates earned from ISSA courses can be verified or viewed here.
Find ISSA Accredited Sailing Schools
Find Your Local ISSA Sailing School.
ISSA connects sailors with a global network of accredited sailing schools. Whether you are taking your first steps on the water or working towards an advanced skipper qualification, find a school near you and contact them directly to explore available courses and training opportunities.
ISSA sailing instructors do more than teach, and they inspire others to experience the joy and tranquility of the open sea. Becoming an ISSA-licensed instructor takes just a few simple steps.
Learn the ISSA Instructor Standards. Get familiar with ISSA’s teaching philosophy, safety principles, and certification requirements.
Join an ISSA Instructor Training Course. Contact an authorized ISSA Trainer to enroll in an official instructor training program.
Earn Your ISSA Instructor License. Successfully complete the training and assessment to receive your official ISSA Instructor License, then you can work for any ISSA-accredited school globally.
Equip your school with relevant, streamlined training programs that meet modern standards. By partnering with ISSA, you’ll join a professional training network with a global perspective. Becoming an ISSA-accredited school brings you these key benefits:
Access to friendly support and guidance from our expert team of trainers worldwide.
Standardized high quality student materials and modern teaching methods.
Your students attain a certification recognized worldwide.
The first ISSA event of 2026 took place at boot Düsseldorf 2026, where ISSA once again participated as an exhibitor at the world’s leading watersports trade fair.
ISSA will present the Best Instructor of the Year Award. The criteria for selecting the winner will be based on the studnets' survey results in the ISSA Hub.
