Please select your home edition
Edition
GJW Direct 2024 Dinghy

NauticEd and MarineVerse launch world's first Virtual Reality Sailing Course

by NauticEd 18 Oct 2022 15:34 BST
NauticEd and MarineVerse launched the first-ever virtual reality sailing course incorporating VR gaming with sailing training techniques and programs © NauticEd

NauticEd, the world leader in on-the-water and online sailing training, today announced a partnership with MarineVerse, an Australian-based pioneer of virtual reality (VR) sailing simulation, to jointly offer the first-ever virtual reality sailing course incorporating VR gaming with sailing training techniques and programs.

The initial VR sailing course, "Self Mastery," was co-developed by the two companies and features sailing training that balances authenticity and entertainment in a fully immersive, virtual sailing experience.

The training puts players at the helm of a sailing yacht and helps them learn to trim the sails, manage boat speed, and navigate. The boat reacts to wind conditions and every decision made by the players, giving them instant feedback on how their actions impact boat behavior. Other more complex modules like docking and maneuvering within the marina, night sailing, and heavy weather are also in production for future accessibility.

"How do you make sailing less intimidating and open to more diverse types of sailors? How do sailors keep learning and continue to practice what they have already learned when they can't access the water? The answer is VR, and we believe it will be revolutionary for sailing education," said Grant Headifen, founder and global director of education for NauticEd. "As experienced sailors have known for thousands of years, competence requires theory knowledge, practical skills, and lots of experience. VR combines all aspects into a fluid, immersive and fun experience that pushes the boundaries of a user's imagination in a safe and non-intimidating training environment."

The metaverse has grown exponentially in the past two years -- mostly through games and fitness apps. With devices like Meta Quest 2 becoming increasingly popular and affordable, NauticEd recognized the opportunity to leverage the unique capabilities of VR and MarineVerse's innovations to enhance and transform sailing instruction. MarineVerse wanted to leverage the growth of modern sailing education as part of its vision to make sailing more accessible and entertaining. Their partnership coincides with the fact that online sailing course enrollment has boomed since the pandemic began, with NauticEd reporting a 43% growth in registrations over the past 24 months.

Greg Dziemidowicz, founder of MarineVerse, is equally excited about the partnership. "Sailing has always been about community for me," said Dziemidowicz. "With NauticEd we will make sailing instruction more affordable and accessible while inspiring, educating and entertaining a fast-growing community of sailors."

In addition to NauticEd's sailing education and certification programs, the partnership also delivers the full experience of MarineVerse Cup VR. Gamers not interested in a certification course can simply give VR sailing a try as they learn, race, and explore the MarineVerse with no prior sailing experience required. All participants can enjoy the MarineVerse online community and race against people from all over the world.

NauticEd Instructor Trainer Edward O'Conner, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Colonel and Navy Top Gun Instructor Trainer, believes VR training for sailing is a true game changer.

"Just like a flight simulator, virtual reality activates the same neural pathways found in real life. By engaging the whole mind and body, VR builds muscle memory and enables longer retention," he said. "The real benefit of a VR learning environment for new trainees is that the cost of mistakes is non-existent. This leads to a relaxed and less anxious and less nervous experience."

O'Conner, who helped develop the NauticEd Instructor training program, predicts instructors will be "simply astounded" by new students' abilities after they have completed the new VR sailing course. He submits VR will better prepare students for real world, on-water training where they can leverage their experience to advance faster.

The virtual reality sailing course featuring the "Self Mastery" module is now accessible via the NauticEd website at nauticed.org or via the MarineVerseCup app on Meta Quest. The MarineVerse Cup app requires a Meta Quest VR headset which is available for purchase at the Quest Store.

Related Articles

Growing Female Participation in Sailing
Success Stories in the Flying Fifteen fleet It's been an incredible summer of sailing in the UK, and one of the highlights for me has been talking with competitors at major events, learning how they started sailing, what they love most about the sport, and their visions for the future. Posted today at 5:00 pm
Zhik launches new season range
Advancing its Made For Water ethos with athlete-driven products and strengthened partnerships Zhik unveils its new season line-up, advancing the brand's expansion into paddle and rowing while reinforcing its long-standing leadership in dinghy and yachting. Posted today at 4:24 pm
The Famous Project CIC
A crew of seven female sailors to circumnavigate the globe Today, Mediterranean sailor Alexia Barrier presented the six female sailors selected to accompany her this fall in an attempt to break the crewed, round the world, unassisted, and non-stop sailing record, the infamous Jules Verne Trophy. Posted today at 3:40 pm
Craftinsure K6 Nationals at Stone
A strong wind event on the Blackwater Estuary Ten K6s entered the 2025 Nationals at Stone SC sailing on the Blackwater Estuary. The forecast was for strong wind over the three days, lighter on the last day, the prelude of an advancing storm late on Sunday. Posted today at 3:17 pm
Salcombe Gin Centenary Race & RORC Clubhouse Party
A celebration to conclude the racing programme in the Solent As part of the RORC centenary, alongside the headline events the Rolex Fastnet Race and the revived Admiral's Cup, the Centenary Race has been designed as a celebration to conclude the racing programme in the Solent. Posted today at 3:12 pm
Noble Marine RS800 Nationals at Eastbourne
An eager fleet despite a slightly less than terrific forecast Despite a slightly less than terrific forecast, an eager fleet arrived at Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club looking forward to some full send sailing, waves galore and the always brilliant and welcoming members of Eastbourne. Posted today at 2:57 pm
Clipper Race heads for Punta del Este
Teams face marathon 5,300 nautical mile race with first ocean crossing The ten teams racing in the Clipper 2025-26 Round the World Yacht Race have departed Puerto Sherry, Spain, bound for the second stop of the circumnavigation; Punta del Este, Uruguay. Posted today at 1:54 pm
Noble Marine Albacore Nationals 2025
Recipe for Success at the WPNSA Before we get into our report I wanted to share a simple recipe that seems to have worked for the Albacore Class! Event entries were up by 20% over 2025. Posted today at 12:55 pm
20 Questions with the reigning champion
Ahead of the P&B Phantom Nationals 2025 The 2025 P&B Phantom Nationals start this Friday at Hooe Point SC in Plymouth. For the first time the class is utilising on the water umpiring with two international judges afloat all three days. Posted today at 12:15 pm
Seafly Open at Blakeney
A superb weekend for the fleet on the north Norfolk coast At this time of year I am reminded of Stanley Holloway's famous monologue, "Albert and the Lion" which tells of a family visit to Blackpool seaside in which Albert is swallowed whole by a lion in the zoo... I'm sure some of you will recall it. Posted today at 11:16 am