On May 3, 2025, amidst the shimmering waves of Sanya Bay, the 2025 China Family Sailing Championship at Sanya officially set sail near the Haihong Square in Tianya District! This year's event features the theme of “Intangible Cultural Heritage + International Style,” attracting participating families from various countries and across China to Sanya, embarking on a joyful island celebration that blends competition, culture, and familial bonds.

This year's event attracted 185 participants from 55 teams representing seven countries—Germany, Kazakhstan, London, Russia, South Africa, Uzbekistan, and Belarus—as well as 45 cities across China and the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. The sailing knowledge quiz involved 12 schools and families, with 450 participants, while the sailing painting and crafts group included 9 schools with 175 participants. Additionally, 200 people took part in the sail assembly and equipment group, bringing the total number of participants to over 1,000.

At the opening ceremony, Xie Yifa, Deputy Secretary-General of the Sanya Municipal Government, delivered a welcome speech, stating: "Sanya is committed to ensuring the successful hosting of this event by enhancing water safety management and optimizing the event service system. Moving forward, Sanya will further promote and develop water sports, especially sailing, and deepen cooperation with the China Sailing Association and international sailing organizations. Leveraging the advantages of Hainan’s free trade port policies, we will explore diverse integration pathways through 'events +,' connecting yacht economy, marine culture, and ecological research and learning, to create a globally influential marine sports industry ecosystem." Deputy Secretary-General Xie's speech received warm applause from the audience, who are filled with anticipation for the development of water sports in Sanya.

Zhao Mengqiao, representing the Beijing Xue Min Team, spoke on behalf of the participants.

Fu Danqing, Vice President of the China Sailing and Windsurfing Association, announced the opening of the 2025 China Family Sailing Championship - Sanya Station.

The 2025 China Family Sailing Championship - Sanya Station has officially launched with the sound of the horn!

Intangible Cultural Heritage and International Integration: Highlights of the Event

This year's event builds on tradition while incorporating Hainan's cultural elements, such as Li brocade and coconut carving, into the sailing-themed creations. Participating families had the opportunity to watch live demonstrations of handmade crafts.

In this event, the South African Ice Baby Team and the Shenzhen Duo Duo Team exemplified the friendship between international families through the competition, from pre-event training to the opening ceremony. These two distinct families came together in Sanya for "a family trip centered around the event," fostering a deep exchange of maritime cultures between China and abroad.

Come to Sanya and Become a "Coconut Tycoon"

During the May Day holiday, in the beautiful Sanya, the competition venue was filled with sweat and enthusiasm. We prepared a special surprise for every hardworking participant—a refreshing greeting from Sanya! At Haihong Square, we set up a coconut distribution point where each family team received a young coconut. The natural sweetness of coconut water rejuvenates the body, filling it with energy and soothing fatigue with its fragrant aroma. Using coconuts as a medium, let the passion of this island sailing journey collide beautifully with the gentle coconut breeze! In this competition, just charge ahead; sweetness and care await you at the China Family Sailing Championship - Sanya Station!

Set Sail and Ride the Waves, Showcasing Maritime Passion

Participating families took to the water in Hobie sailboats, entering the Sanya Bay area according to their draw order, competing on the sparkling blue surface. With the wind in their sails and waves crashing against the hulls, competitors skillfully adjusted their sails and navigated with seamless cooperation, pushing towards the finish line. The communication and teamwork between parents and children became highlights of the event, while friends and family onshore cheered them on through live broadcasts, blending their shouts with the sounds of the sea into a unique maritime memory.

Champion Mentors Guide You in Learning

The event organizing committee provided systematic training for all participating families before the competition, covering equipment assembly, basic sailing techniques, and maritime safety operations. Before heading out to sea, the chief referee and the champion mentor team held a captain's meeting to introduce the relevant rules and competition knowledge to the participating families in detail.

Sailing Theme Art Exhibition

After a week of voting at Hailv Duty Free City, the paintings and handicrafts have been moved to the competition site for further voting to determine the best works.

Set Sail for a Promising Future

This event is rich and diverse, with high levels of participation and multiple interactive competitions, allowing participants to experience the unique charm of water sailing sports. It has attracted more and more families and enthusiasts. This sport is not just a challenge of physical strength and skills; it also serves as a connection to nature and a means to promote parent-child collaboration. As a tropical coastal tourist city in China, Sanya leverages its high-quality marine resources and established event service systems to continuously explore innovative paths for "sports + tourism." By popularizing marine culture through sailing competitions and encouraging family participation to boost tourism consumption, Sanya harmonizes the spirit of sailing with urban development. Sanya will continue to deepen its water sports industry, promoting regular events combined with diverse experiences, sharing a new chapter of island festivities with sailing enthusiasts worldwide.

Vice President of the China Sailing and Windsurfing Association Fu Danqing, Deputy Secretary General of the Sanya Municipal Government Xie Yifa, Director of the Development Department of the China Sailing and Windsurfing Association Zhang Mengdi, Level Four Researcher of the Sanya Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports Yang Yi, Deputy District Mayor of Tianya District Xu Heyu, President of the North Pacific Region of the International Hobie Class Association Ding Zhenghang, and representative of the China Stem Cell Group Wang Le attended the opening ceremony.

The 2025 China Family Sailing Championship - Sanya Station is currently underway, and we look forward to the participating families achieving great results!

https://youtu.be/50JoBaUuGJs