About the ISSA

International Sailing Schools Association (ISSA)

Established in 1969, the ISSA is an international non-governmental organization committed to offering opportunities worldwide for people who dream of learning sailing. ISSA helps those looking to start their sailing education in schools and also provides an international career pathway for sailing and windsurfing instructors to teach in different countries.
As a non-profit international association, ISSA sets common standards for quality and safety in sailing and windsurfing schools globally. These standards apply universally, ensuring consistent certification for students completing courses at all levels. ISSA ensures that all its sailing and windsurfing instructors are trained to the same high standards.
Group photo of ISSA members

Our Mission and Vision

Promote Yachting in the regions, areas and among people where it is not popular yet. This is an excellent activity for individuals and families. Helps to develop respect to other people and nature.
Educate those who decided to occupy themselves with water sports. Water sport activities provide a lot of fun, but we need to obtain some preparation to enjoy it to a full extent.
‍Standardise training worldwide. We are committed to assist the ISSA schools to maintain the highest and most modern standards of education. We are also open to help those who are not associated. With safety being the main priority.
‍Exchange Cultural Experiences between various countries. As an organisation present on most of the continents we aim to contribute to mutual understanding of people originating from different cultures.

Organizational Leadership Structure

The ISSA is managed by a committee elected from its member sailing and windsurfing schools, ensuring effective oversight and representing the diverse perspectives and interests of its member institutions while upholding ISSA's commitment to excellence and safety in sailing and windsurfing education worldwide.
Tomasz Lipski
President
Assaad Rayess
Vice President

ISSA Trainers

  • Trainer for Sailing & Power Instructor - Jakub Elsahen
  • Trainer for Professional Sailing Instructor - Assaad Rayess
  • Trainer for Sailing & Power Instructor - Erez Vardi
  • Trainer for Sailing & Power Instructor – Konstantin Zhukov
  • Trainer for Sailing & Power Instructor, Rescue Instructor – Kris Krzysztof Buczek
  • Trainer for Sailing & Power Instructor – Mike Downard
  • Trainer for Sailing & Power Instructor – Mirosław Lamkowski
  • Trainer for Sailing & Power Instructor – Tomasz Szczegielniak
  • Trainer for Inclusive Sailing Instructor – Anita Marszalek
  • Trainer for Power Instructor – Tarek Hassan
  • Trainer for Power Instructor – Dzmitry Zhuk
  • Trainer for Sailing Instructor – Aleksander Shehu
  • Trainer for Sailing Instructor – Ilgonis Balodis

ISSA Officers

  • Chief Operating Officer – Weiding Zhang
  • Chief Project Consultant  – Michal Stronka
  • Head of Office Administration – Elvira Sarkhanova
  • Lead Editor of the textbook – Rafael Kander
  • Maritime Authorities Relations – Erez Vardi
  • Marketing Officer – Katarzyna Kozinska
  • News Room Officer – Ramil Bayramov
  • Professional Training Development – Assaad Rayess

Administrative Council Members

  • Assaad Rayess
  • Bogdan Brodowski
  • Erez Vardi
  • Irina Fedorowa
  • Konstantin Zhukov
  • Orjan Jansson
  • Piotr Stańczak
  • Silvia Guerra

ISSA Regional Representatives

Europe

  • Germany – Jarosław Wistuba
  • Greece – Alexander Shehu

East Asia

  • China (Guangdong Province) – Chunshan Bai

West Asia

  • Israel – Erez Vardi
  • Persian Gulf Area – Tarek Hassan

South East Asia

  • Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore - Mike Downard

ISSA History

From 1969
ISSA was created in 1969 in London by:
  • Les Glenans FRA
  • Polish Yachting Association POL
  • Yacht Club de Morges SUI
  • Casa di Vela Caprera ITA
  • National Schools Sailing Association GBR
  • Centro Internacional de Navigacion de Arousa ESP

1969

ISSA was established as a continuation of the French committee for the development of sailing on the initiative of several national federations with a strong position in sailing.

1970s

The Polish Yachting Association as a co-founder of ISSA is gaining recognition in the European sailing community.
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Developing the pattern of a seaman's book (Logbook), still widely used in many countries today.
‍
An international sailing patent is created; its largest modification took place in 2014, and on the occasion of the jubilee, in 2019 a new design was introduced.
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Organization of the first international conferences devoted to sailing training.

1980s

Obtaining the status of an European Community advisory organization.

Substantive support and close cooperation in the development of a world institution managing the sport of sailing International Sailing Federation (ISAF); currently World Sailing.

1990s

Cooperation with national sailing federations is extended to support individual sailing schools. The implementation of ISSA training standards is taking a new level.

Opening up to the markets of the Middle East, former USSR countries and Australia.

2000s

ISSA constantly cooperates with representatives of maritime state authorities of many countries.

Obtaining the status of a member of the International Telecommunication Union - ITU, the UN agency responsible for setting standards in maritime radio communications.

Performing activities under Union of International Associations - promoting the activities of international organizations.

Introduction of ISO 9001: 2008 standards.

Active participation in the work of the working group of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe dealing with the International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

2010s

Implementation of a project financed by the European Commission, aimed at standardizing skipper training in the Mediterranean.

Strengthening ISSA's position on existing markets and entering Asian markets, including signing a partnership agreement with the Chinese authorities.

The first ISSA Festival of Sails are launched - cyclical events promoting cultural exchange through sailing.

2020+

The first International Marine Environmental Protection Conference was organized in Cyprus, with organizations and institutions from 15 countries participating. The Prevent Plastic Polustion (PPP) project was launched, since then ISSA has incorporated environmental awareness into its training system.

The Inclusive Sailing Project was launched to create opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sailing, along with a dedicated instructor-training category focused on supporting sailors with disabilities, which is so-called Sailing Instructors of Persons with Disabilities (SIPD).

ISSA has partnered with the World Maritime University to strengthen the development of ISSA’s international standardization system.

The ISSA Hub online education platform was launched, making it easier for everyone to access ISSA training resources.

50 Years' Anniversary

In 2019, ISSA proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary in Greece at the ISSA Festival of Sails.

Past AGMs

  • 1969 – London, the UK
  • 1973 – Finales, Italo
  • 1974 – Enkhuizen, Holland
  • 1975 – Brest, France
  • 1976 – Neufachtel, Switzerland
  • 1977 – Warsaw, Poland
  • 1978 – Wien, Austria
  • 1979 – Quiberon, France
  • 1980 – Largs, Scotland
  • 1981 – Palma de Mallorca, Spain
  • 1982 – Tetouan, Marocco
  • 1983 – Cowes, England
  • 1984 – Bombannes, France
  • 1985 – Helsinki, Finland
  • 1986 – Montreal, Canada
  • 1987 – Palma de Mallorca, Spain
  • 1988 – Alger, Algeria
  • 1989 – La Rochelle, France
  • 1990 – Tumendorf, Germany
  • 1991 – Gols, Austria
  • 1992 – Caprera Sardaigne, Italy
  • 1995 – Hamburg, Germany
  • 1996 – Brigthon, England
  • 1997 – Marstrand, Sweden
  • 1998 – Palma de Mallorca, Spain
  • 1999 – Athens, Greece
  • 2000 – Edinburgh, Scotland
  • 2001 – Paris, France
  • 2002 – Rome, Italy
  • 2003 – Dublin, Ireland
  • 2004 – Paris, France
  • 2005 – Singapure, Singapure
  • 2006 – Helsinki, Finland
  • 2007 – Barcelona, Spain
  • 2008 – Wien, Austria
  • 2009 – Midlands, England
  • 2010 – Istambul, Turkey
  • 2011 – Poznań, Poland
  • 2012 – Łódź, Poland
  • 2013 – Berlin, Germany
  • 2014 – Marmaris, Turkey
  • 2016 – Dusseldorf, Germany
  • 2017 – Dusseldorf, Germany
  • 2019 – Kamień Pomorski, Poland
  • 2023 – Beijing, China
  • 2024 – Dusseldorf, Germany
  • 2025 – Dusseldorf, Germany

ISSA's Previous Publications

Logbooks

American Sailing Association logbook issued by the American Sailing Association at the end of 1980ties

Association of German Sailing SchoolsSailing Certificate issued by Association of German Sailing Schools (Verband Deutscher Segelschulen)

AustriaSailor’s ID logbook issued in Austria (VOS)

Beglium Yachting Associationlogbook issued by Beglium Yachting Association (Landelijke Bond van Watersport Verenigingen in Belgie)

Belgium logbook issued by regional Belgium yachting organization (Ligue Regionale du Yachting Belge)

Canadian Yachting Associationlogbook issued by Canadian Yachting Association at the beginning of 1990ties

Dutch Sailing Schools Federationlogbook issued by Dutch Sailing Schools Federation (Vereniging van Zeilscholen Nederland) – 1983

Finnish Yachting AssociationFinnish logbook issued by Finnish Yachting Association (Suomen Purjehtijaliitto ry.] at the end of 1980ties

French Sailing Federation 80tiesLogbook issued by French Sailing Federation (Federation Francaise de Voile) at the end of 80ties

French Sailing Federation 90tiesLogbook issued by French Sailing Federation (Federation Francaise de Voile) at the end of 90ties

ISSA 2002Logbook issued by ISSA in 2002 – in Arabic, English and French

Polish Sailing Associationcertificate of windsurfing instructor issued by Polish Sailing Association

Polish Yachting Associationlogbook issued by Polish Yachting Association (Polski Związek Żeglarski)

Spanish Sailing Federationlogbook issed by Spanish Sailing Federation (Federation Espanola de Vela)

International Payments

SWIFT Payment Details

Get in touch with ISSA

Beneficiary:

ISSA International Sailing Schools Association LTD.

Address:

Prodromou, 51, 2nd floor, Strovolos, 2063 Nicosia, Cyprus, HE 378372

SWIFT/BIC:

BCYPCY2N

IBAN:

CY91002001950000357027921111