I Want to Be a Professional Sailor - 7 Things You Need to Work On
No shortcuts. Just the work that matters. This is the checklist I give young sailors who ask how to go pro.
Photo: Yehonatan Noybert
Every time I talk with young sailors, I hear the same question: I want to be a professional in windsurfing / kitesurfing / sailing. What do I need to do? There is no magic. It is skills, consistency, and a clear head. These are the seven things to work on.
1. Get the basics right
Do not rush past fundamentals. Starts, tacks, gybes, boat speed. Repeat until they are automatic. Pros protect the basics under pressure.
2. Read the wind and water
Train your eye for shifts, pressure, and current. Note patterns along the course, not just at the start. The best decisions come from calm observation.
3. Train with a coach
You will miss details that a good coach will catch. Honest feedback shortens the learning curve. Film sessions help you see what you felt but did not measure.
4. Train your body
Sailing is strength, cardio, and mobility. Hike longer, move cleaner, recover faster. A fit sailor has more options at the mark and on the run.
5. Work on your mindset
- Learn to let go of what just happened. Do not carry a bad leg into the next decision.
- Be your best today. Then be better tomorrow. Small daily wins stack up.
- The start is critical. Every second counts. Practice starts again and again until you can feel the time.
- Got a penalty? Reset fast. The best sailors still place even when the day is not smooth.
6. Use reliable gear
Bad tools lead to bad calls. Keep it simple and solid. True readings help you focus on tactics.
7. Race as much as you can
There is no substitute for race time. Club nights, regionals, then international regattas. Each start and each leg builds instincts you cannot get on a quiet training day.
Elite dinghy and iQFOiL sailors train starts obsessively and review data after sessions. Consistent routines, reliable timing, and calm wind reading turn practice into race results.
Bottom line: becoming a professional sailor is a daily practice. Work these seven areas, keep notes, and show up. If your tools need an upgrade, keep it simple and reliable.
