MarineVerse Blog

From VR to Real Water: How Sea Scouts Used MarineVerse for Winter Sailing Training

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Ahoy!

I’m Greg, CEO of MarineVerse, and today I’m excited to share a story that’s particularly close to my heart.

Growing up in Poland, I was part of a Sea Scouts group. We’d huddle together during the long winter months, studying knots and navigation theory from books, dreaming of the moment we could finally get back on the water. The passion was there, but the ability to actually practice sailing during winter simply wasn’t. (Read the full origin story here.)

So when I learned that Don Goff, Ph.D. - a retired IT professor from the University of Maryland and a Sea Scout leader in Chicago - had been using MarineVerse Sailing Club for winter training with his Sea Scout Ship, I asked him to share his experience.

Here is Don’s experience report.

VR Sailing Assessment - Sea Scout Ship 2028 S.S.S. Polaris

By Don Goff, Ph.D.

Sea Scout Ship 2028 S.S.S. Polaris utilized MarineVerse Sailing Club to provide basic sail training to its members from December 2025 to February 2026. Situated in the western suburbs of Chicago, the Ship has no access to on-the-water sailing for more than half of the year. VR offered an opportunity to provide realistic training during the winter months.

Setup and Approach

Ship 2028 has 18 registered members. Four have had formal instruction at a sailing camp. The rest had not sailed before. Three Meta Quest 2 headsets were available for shared use. The owners of the three sets were all experienced both at sailing and use of the VR system.

The systems were used at six meetings. Each Scout used the system for approximately ten minutes and was coached by the experienced sailor/owners before passing it on to another. In aggregate, they each completed about an hour of use.

One headset was linked to a notebook computer, which a coach could monitor and use to tutor the sailor using the headset.

The VR application includes a series of vessels and rigs progressing in size from a single seat one-sail dinghy up to a large catamaran. A racecourse is charted and users may compete against themselves or with others either synchronously or asynchronously. The Scouts limited their practices to the single seat small boat due to time limitations.

What the Scouts Learned

Scouts learned points of sail, boat and sail parts, and the basics of maneuvering under sail. The experience was considered realistic. The only complaint was the lack of a sense of water motion - and that a minor one; by sitting in a swiveling office chair with a rocking capability, this problem was eased.

Reception and Usability

Overall, utility and acceptance were high. A few Scouts hesitated to use the technology as it was new to them, but after trying it found it easy to learn and fun to use. The software was easy to download, intuitive and user friendly.

Value for Youth Sailing Education

For our purpose, having a hands-on simulation available in the winter to give potential sailors a sense of the sailing experience was very valuable. Traditional online e-learning courses are more theoretical and two-dimensional - they teach the concepts, but the “feel” and “sense” of sailing is missing. VR bridges that gap between book or online theory and real time on the water, letting you practice without needing access to water. As a teaching aid, it appeals to teenagers in a way that textbooks and videos simply don’t.

Challenges: Scalability and Cost

The two issues are scalability and price. Since we had only three headsets and 18 youth, the time each could spend was limited. Adding a fully equipped setup would cost roughly US$350-400 apiece ($299 for a headset, $29.99 for the app, plus $99/year if using pro features like docking practice). As the current Scouts age out, we will lose access to these three and would need to find replacements.

The second is the cost of the software. While it is reasonable for regular use, the challenge for our unit is that we were only able to use it six times. We would likely use it more if we had more headsets. Now as we transition into spring and we will be outside, I don’t expect to use the VR software again until the end of sailing season in October/November. I do envision it as a potential way to follow up with the regular sailing season and move the Scouts to the next skill level.

Conclusion

On the whole I found it a very helpful experiential learning tool and highly recommend it for use to both novice and experienced sailors.

Our Thoughts and Next Steps

- Greg, MarineVerse

We’re grateful to Don and the S.S.S. Polaris crew for sharing this honest and detailed assessment. The feedback on both the strengths and the challenges is exactly what helps us make MarineVerse better for groups like this.

On the topics Don raised:

A note on pricing - The base version of MarineVerse Sailing Club is a one-time purchase of $29.99 and includes sailing tutorials, basic racing and exploration mode - plenty for casual use and getting started. For those who want to go deeper, our optional Club membership ($99/year) unlocks pro features like docking practice, pro-level racing competition, and advanced experiences like the Globe offshore sailing simulation. We also understand that a yearly subscription doesn’t always fit seasonal use patterns. We’re open to working out arrangements that make more sense for youth sailing organizations - if you’re interested, reach out and let’s figure out what works for your group.

Headset costs - Hardware is the biggest barrier. It’s worth noting that MarineVerse Sailing Club is also available on PC (Mac and Windows via Steam), so it’s possible to experience the simulation without a headset - but VR is strongly recommended as the immersive experience is on another level entirely. For organizations looking to scale up VR access, partnerships with headset manufacturers or retailers could help bring per-unit costs down, and sponsorship is another option worth exploring.

Winter Practice is Catching On Around the World

It’s not just Sea Scouts in Chicago. In Poland, primary school students are using MarineVerse in the classroom to prepare for their summer sailing camps - practicing the basics of sail trim and boat handling months before they get near the water.

From the suburbs of Chicago to classrooms in Poland, a pattern is emerging: VR sailing is becoming a practical tool for organizations that want to make the most of the off-season and get their sailors ready for the water.

Want to Try VR Sailing With Your Group?

If you lead a sailing club, Sea Scout ship, youth sailing program, or any organization that could benefit from VR sailing training - we’d love to help you get started. Whether it’s winter training, onboarding new sailors, or supplementing your on-the-water program, we can work together to find an approach that fits your needs and budget.

Get in touch at greg@marineverse.com - let’s talk about how MarineVerse can work for your group.

www.marineverse.com

Champion Crowned at the Inaugural International Hansa 303 Virtual Sailing Challenge

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:00:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Melbourne, Australia – March 16, 2026 – A champion has been crowned at the world’s first International Hansa 303 Virtual Sailing Challenge, held using MarineVerse Sailing Club, the virtual reality sailing platform designed to make sailing more accessible, engaging and social.

The inaugural event marked a significant step forward for accessible sailing, introducing virtual competition to the Hansa Class community and creating an exciting new way for sailors, volunteers and spectators to engage with the sport.

World’s First Virtual Reality Hansa Class Competition

Held alongside the 2026 SKUD 18 International Match Race Challenge in Auckland from 20th to 22nd Feb, 2026 — itself another world first — the International Hansa 303 Virtual Sailing Challenge quickly became a focal point of activity onshore. While sailors rotated on and off the water during racing, volunteers, caregivers and spectators gathered around the Virtual Reality setup to watch and take part in the virtual regatta.

The competition consisted of a race time trial, with competitors attempting to record the fastest lap through the virtual course. After a short introduction to the controls and tutorial sailing session, participants moved into race mode where their results were recorded on the event leaderboard.

Many players were experiencing Virtual Reality for the first time, but quickly became comfortable with the technology. The large screen displaying live gameplay, along with the iPad leaderboard, created a lively atmosphere as spectators watched competitors attempt to climb the rankings.

Jack Wallace of Australia emerged as the inaugural International Hansa 303 Virtual Sailing Challenge Champion, recording the fastest race time of the event.

Our warmest congratulations to Jack for his outstanding performance. Sponsors generously provided great prizes for the top competitors, with a few Australian sailors reportedly needing a little extra baggage space for their trip home.

“We’re extremely happy with how engaging this Virtual Reality competition was for caregivers, visitors and sponsors who don’t usually get to experience racing first hand. Combined with live event tracking, it really brought the sailing to life for those watching from shore and may have set a new benchmark for inclusion at disabled sailing events.” — Paul Wager, Event Organiser

“MarineVerse Sailing Club is about making sailing more accessible and more engaging, whether someone is on the water, learning on shore, or experiencing the sport for the first time. It was fantastic to see the Hansa class community embrace virtual sailing as part of the event experience.” — Greg Dziemidowicz, CEO of MarineVerse

Looking Ahead

The success of the event demonstrated how Virtual Reality sailing can complement real-world regattas, providing an engaging activity onshore while racing takes place on the water.

Following the success of this world-first competition, organisers believe the International Hansa 303 Virtual Sailing Challenge could become a regular feature at sailing events around the world, offering a new way for people to experience the sport and connect with the global sailing community.

About MarineVerse

Founded in Melbourne, Australia, MarineVerse is an international team dedicated to inspiring, training, and connecting sailors globally through authentic and approachable VR experiences. MarineVerse Sailing Club is available on Meta Quest and Steam.

Media Contact

paulwager@gmail.com
greg@marineverse.com

www.marineverse.com

VR Sailors - MarineVerse Community: Jason Thomas

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Ahoy!

Welcome to the twenty eighth post in the series “VR Sailors - MarineVerse Community” – introducing sailors racing in MarineVerse Sailing Club.

Today, we are chatting with Jason Thomas (sailorJason), an American & Australian living in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In virtual reality, you can meet Jason in MarineVerse Sailing Club as sailorJason (sail number 24644). As of today, Jason is #72 in the world in the Daily Race Practice rating.

We have asked Jason a couple of questions..

What is your sailing experience?

I am an experienced sailor holding my RYA YachtMaster Offshore credential with >25k NMs experience. I love all aspects of sailing, including small dinghies to large yachts, monohulls & catamarans, and even eFoils and Wing Foils. I love cruising and have done several trips in the Caribbean, Pacific & Mediterranean. I also really enjoy racing, and have completed 4 Rolex Sydney to Hobarts, 2 Rolex Middle Sea Races and hundreds of other races (mostly in Australia) from Volvo 60s to Lasers.

What is your favourite sailing memory?

That’s tough! I would have to say cruising in the French Polynesian Islands and anchoring overnight in the lagoon of Bora Bora. Stunning!

Tell us something about your experience with MarineVerse Sailing Club? Any good memories or highlights?

I’m still a rookie to VR & MarineVerse, but I really enjoy the racing! There are some super good VR racers here and I really enjoy competing. It’s also great practice for practicing starts and fine tuning a few things, all without having to hike out and getting wet. :)

Also, I just recently tried the docking exercises; I found them really well done and challenging when you crank up the wind. Great practice for what I think can be the most stressful part of sailing. Well done MarineVerse team!

Who and why should try MarineVerse Sailing Club?

I think MarineVerse has done a great job making this attractive to everyone, from beginner sailors, sailors who want to improve their skills (the sail shape demonstration is great), and experienced sailors and racers. I’ve only done one live race and it was great (and humbling!) and I hope to do more.

Any tips for those new to sailing that want to race in MarineVerse?

Just go for it! The Intro and Day races are great. It’s fun to compete against the “ghost” racers who have already raced, so you can follow their lines and tactics. Pay close attention to your tell-tales and play around with your weight (on the dinghies) and watch the speed changes to learn what is fast.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’m impressed by the responsiveness of the community and how they ask for feedback and are constantly trying to improve the game and experience. Well done and a big thank you to the team!

MarineVerse Sailing Club is all about the community. If you would like to try sailing, join us. You can meet VR sailors at our Discord chat server, and you can download MarineVerse Sailing Club on Steam or via the Meta Quest store.

We hope you enjoyed this blog post in the “VR Sailors - MarineVerse Community” series – stay tuned for more soon!

#28 Jason Thomas from Lausanne, Switzerland
#27 Filippo from Leeds, UK
#26 Bill from Dover, NH USA
#25 JJ from Calgary, Canada
#24 Marc from Toronto, Canada
#23 Finnbuck from Pennsylvania, USA
#22 Moira from Ireland
#21 Peter from Oregon, USA
#20 Tim from Amsterdam, Netherlands
#19 Colin aka SwabbinQuincyTeach, US
#18 Pete Hoffswell, US
#17 Andrew Brenton, UK
#16 Dave aka Bot33, UK
#15 Captain Ben, UK
#14 Rik, Blackpool, England
#13 Kevin, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
#12 Romeo, Marina Del Rey, CA
#11 Linda van Kleef, Dutch living in Germany
#10 Pascal from Paris, France
#9 William Wollin, based in Racine, Wisconsin
#8 Dennis Fields sailing out of Las Vegas, Nevada
#7 Mark Afheldt based in Toronto, Canada
#6 Nelson from Cincinnati, Ohio in the USA
#5 Ryan (AKA Sailing FreeStyle ) from the USA
#4 Guillermo Iurgi López de Ipiña Silván from Spain
#3 Jon “Bofh” from Glastonbury in the U.K
#2 Luke, Dinghy sailor from Germany
#1 David Wright, Commodore at Hythe Sailing Club in Southampton

VR Sailors - MarineVerse Community: Filippo Ferrante

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Ahoy!

Welcome to the twenty seventh post in the series “VR Sailors - MarineVerse Community” – introducing sailors racing in MarineVerse Sailing Club.

Filippo sailing in Globe near Sydney

Today, we are chatting with Filippo Ferrante, an Italian based in Leeds, UK.

In virtual reality, you can meet Filippo in MarineVerse Sailing Club as Filippo (sail number 25142). Filippo races in Yacht Pro with a current DRP rating of 1425 and is currently ranked #184 in the Yacht Pro league.

Filippo is also sailing in Globe, currently near Sydney!

We have asked Filippo a couple of questions..

What is your sailing experience?

Never sailed for real apart from the odd rowing boat. I’ve always been looking for a real sailing game and it doesn’t get any better than MarineVerse.

What is your favourite sailing memory?

Watching the America’s Cup.

Tell us something about your experience with MarineVerse Sailing Club? Any good memories or highlights?

Cannot get any closer to sailing if not through MarineVerse. Brilliant game. Great to challenge everyday same sailors from around the world.

Who and why should try MarineVerse Sailing Club?

Anybody that has a passion for sailing even if you’ve never sailed before!

Any tips for those new to sailing that want to race in MarineVerse?

Try all the different boats and techniques. I’m stuck and love sailing the yacht.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Would love to see the multiplayer aspect of the game grow.

We hope you enjoyed this blog post in the “VR Sailors - MarineVerse Community” series – stay tuned for more soon!

#28 Jason Thomas from Lausanne, Switzerland
#27 Filippo from Leeds, UK
#26 Bill from Dover, NH USA
#25 JJ from Calgary, Canada
#24 Marc from Toronto, Canada
#23 Finnbuck from Pennsylvania, USA
#22 Moira from Ireland
#21 Peter from Oregon, USA
#20 Tim from Amsterdam, Netherlands
#19 Colin aka SwabbinQuincyTeach, US
#18 Pete Hoffswell, US
#17 Andrew Brenton, UK
#16 Dave aka Bot33, UK
#15 Captain Ben, UK
#14 Rik, Blackpool, England
#13 Kevin, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
#12 Romeo, Marina Del Rey, CA
#11 Linda van Kleef, Dutch living in Germany
#10 Pascal from Paris, France
#9 William Wollin, based in Racine, Wisconsin
#8 Dennis Fields sailing out of Las Vegas, Nevada
#7 Mark Afheldt based in Toronto, Canada
#6 Nelson from Cincinnati, Ohio in the USA
#5 Ryan (AKA Sailing FreeStyle ) from the USA
#4 Guillermo Iurgi López de Ipiña Silván from Spain
#3 Jon “Bofh” from Glastonbury in the U.K
#2 Luke, Dinghy sailor from Germany
#1 David Wright, Commodore at Hythe Sailing Club in Southampton

VR Sailors - MarineVerse Community: Bill Starr

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Ahoy!

Welcome to the twenty sixth post in the series “VR Sailors - MarineVerse Community” – introducing sailors racing in MarineVerse Sailing Club.

Bill Starr helming First 40.7 More Cowbell off Portsmouth, NH USA

Today, we are chatting with Bill Starr (Sealander) from Dover, NH USA.

In virtual reality, you can meet Bill in MarineVerse Sailing Club as Sealander (sail number 24060). Bill races in Yacht Pro with a current DRP rating of 1398, and recently placed 7th in the Yacht Pro Daily Race in Enoshima on February 4, 2026.

We have asked Bill a couple of questions..

What is your sailing experience?

I’m a very experienced sailor. Last year I bought a Beneteau First 40.7 named “More Cowbell,” based in Kittery, Maine. I have done many hundreds of inshore races as a trimmer in Sydney, Marina del Rey, Bermuda, and Marblehead.

I’ve sailed more than 10,000 miles offshore, including two Sydney Hobarts aboard a Volvo 60, a Newport Bermuda Race, four Marblehead to Halifax Races, and two Newport Ensenada Races. Plus a perpetual trophy win in the Santa Barbara King Harbor Race.

More Cowbell coming 4th in Tuesday night racing in very light wind – and maybe a few too many aboard.

What is your favourite sailing memory?

My favourite sailing memory was during the 2007 Sydney Hobart – ripping along, surfing waves and hitting 31.9 knots! It was epic!

Tell us something about your experience with MarineVerse Sailing Club? Any good memories or highlights?

One of the challenges of being a new driver of a yacht in a competitive fleet is getting the time to practice starts. My family bought me MarineVerse for my birthday and I’ve absolutely loved having the opportunity to try many things I never have the opportunity to do in fleet racing!

To put it in context, we had 12 total fleet starts last year and it took me a long time to get up into the front row! Now with a winter of virtual sailing, I’ll be more aggressive earlier in the season.

Finn and Bill Starr celebrate after More Cowbell took 1st place in the John Paul Jones Regatta from Portsmouth, NH to Rockport, MA. Our first race with the new boat was a bullet!

Who and why should try MarineVerse Sailing Club?

There is a huge opportunity for anyone new to accelerate their learning. I’m a qualified ASA sailing instructor and anyone who has the basics from virtual sailing will be miles ahead when they get on the boat in the wet! The ability to review your racing lines is a great way to improve. Watching how the best position themselves is a great way to learn how to sail fast and win! Believe me, this will translate on the water!

Any tips for those new to sailing that want to race in MarineVerse?

Watch the best sailors and learn from how they position themselves. Use the replay feature to review your racing lines and identify where you can improve. Virtual sailing is like Gran Turismo for boats – it builds real skills that transfer to the water!

Anything else you’d like to share?

I will be launching the Sealander Sailing Academy this summer to help support 14 to 24 year olds getting into big boat sailing! One of our initiatives will be Friday Night Twilights, where each boat in our fleet must have two sailors under 20.

Too many racing fleets have aging crews – “Jim has done main on boat X for 12 years” – but where are the opportunities for new sailors? With virtual sailing, we have the opportunity to improve the skill levels of skippers and future crews! Our own Gran Turismo event may be on the horizon at a regatta near you!

We hope you enjoyed this blog post in the “VR Sailors - MarineVerse Community” series – stay tuned for more soon!

#28 Jason Thomas from Lausanne, Switzerland
#27 Filippo from Leeds, UK
#26 Bill from Dover, NH USA
#25 JJ from Calgary, Canada
#24 Marc from Toronto, Canada
#23 Finnbuck from Pennsylvania, USA
#22 Moira from Ireland
#21 Peter from Oregon, USA
#20 Tim from Amsterdam, Netherlands
#19 Colin aka SwabbinQuincyTeach, US
#18 Pete Hoffswell, US
#17 Andrew Brenton, UK
#16 Dave aka Bot33, UK
#15 Captain Ben, UK
#14 Rik, Blackpool, England
#13 Kevin, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
#12 Romeo, Marina Del Rey, CA
#11 Linda van Kleef, Dutch living in Germany
#10 Pascal from Paris, France
#9 William Wollin, based in Racine, Wisconsin
#8 Dennis Fields sailing out of Las Vegas, Nevada
#7 Mark Afheldt based in Toronto, Canada
#6 Nelson from Cincinnati, Ohio in the USA
#5 Ryan (AKA Sailing FreeStyle ) from the USA
#4 Guillermo Iurgi López de Ipiña Silván from Spain
#3 Jon “Bofh” from Glastonbury in the U.K
#2 Luke, Dinghy sailor from Germany
#1 David Wright, Commodore at Hythe Sailing Club in Southampton

MarineVerse: 10 Years of Sailing in Virtual Reality

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Ahoy, MarineVerse community and friends!

Ten years ago, I slid a smartphone into a Google Cardboard viewer and strapped it to my face. The graphics were basic. The ocean was silent. There was no hand tracking - I steered simply by looking, guiding the boat with my gaze. I looked ridiculous standing in my living room.

But for a split second, the walls disappeared. I was sailing.

The first VR sailing prototype

Today, that scrappy experiment has evolved into immersive environments, realistic boat physics, and the world’s largest virtual sailing club. The technology has changed, but the dream remains the same: enable more people to sail, anytime and anywhere.

From mastering the basics of sail trim to racing friends across the globe, we’ve helped turn sailing from a “someday” dream into an everyday practice for thousands of sailors around the world.

Why Did We Create MarineVerse?

Sailing is a rewarding lifelong pastime with countless benefits-the joy of being immersed in nature, the meditative flow of reading wind and waves, the satisfaction of racing, and the endless challenge of mastering new skills.

It’s not just a sport or hobby. For us and many others, it’s an identity-we call ourselves “sailors.”

2016 - MarineVerse Founders Greg and Olga hard at work on early research

Sailing can be enjoyed by kids, adults, and seniors alike. Solo or with friends. We want more people to experience it.

But real barriers stand in the way: time, cost, skill, and access. If you don’t know a sailor, you may not know how to get started. If you don’t live near the water, or it’s the middle of winter, you simply can’t sail-even if you desperately want to.

I have my own origin story. As a teenager, I took “Sea Survival Training” organized by scouts. We were packed into someone’s flat in winter, snow falling outside, learning the procedure to launch a life raft-from a book! With VR, that kind of learning experience can be so much better.

I also remember my very first time on the dock-my first real encounter with a sailboat. The instructor walked us through the parts of the boat before we set off. “This is the tiller.” “This is the jib.” I remember thinking: What is all this vocabulary? It sounds like a foreign language. It was a lot to absorb on day one. With VR, we can ease people into that experience, letting them learn the basics at home before they ever step aboard.

And for many of us, some experiences seem completely out of reach-competing in high-speed catamarans like SailGP’s F50s, or taking a year to circumnavigate the globe.

With VR, we can break down all of these barriers.

Our purpose is simple: grow sailing by helping everyone experience it more often.

The Impact We’ve Had So Far

Just on the Meta Quest platform alone, over 54,000 people have tried sailing and completed our introductory lesson (that’s a packed stadium of new sailors). Many had never stepped onto a sailboat before-now they understand the basics of steering, how to trim a sheet, and the thrill of catching the wind.

“This app has been phenomenal, providing all the lessons I need to get on the water and helping me understand the fundamentals.”

littlebopeep89

For experienced sailors, MarineVerse has become a way to stay sharp-or reconnect with a passion they thought they’d lost.

“I’m a 61-year-old disabled sailor who rather misses the days of lake sailing. I find this incredibly immersive-sailing feels natural right down to using telltales to trim my sails.”

VRCanuck101

“It helps me be a better racer in real life. I also use it to relax on my virtual boat.”

VRMatrixMD

Every day, we organize “Daily Race Practice” competitions across Yacht, Dinghy, Opti, Catamaran, Waszp, and Hansa 303 classes-over 78,000 races so far. Weekly, we host live multiplayer races with voice chat, where genuine friendships have formed. We’re proud of the friendly club vibe our community has created.

How Are People Participating in MarineVerse Sailing Club?

There are many ways to enjoy MarineVerse:

Relax on Virtual Waves Enjoy immersive, scenic environments and the good vibes of sailing without the complexity. Cruise past tropical shores, watch the sunset from your cockpit, or simply enjoy the sound of water against the hull.

Master the Art of Sailing Use VR as a safe simulator to learn practical skills and build confidence for real-world sailing. Progress at your own pace with structured lessons covering everything from basic steering to advanced racing tactics.

Race and Climb Leaderboards Test your skills, practice racing tactics, and compete in daily challenges or live multiplayer events. See how you stack up against sailors from around the world.

Sail When You Can’t in Real Life As an experienced sailor, you can use VR to maintain skills off-season or reconnect with your passion when you can’t be on the water. Mix and match relax, learn, and race modes to suit your needs.

MarineVerse Sailing Club brings authentic sailing experiences into VR, enabling people to “Sail More Often” - whether for learning, competing, or pure relaxation.

Where We’ve Been

We’ve come so far together:

From Google Cardboard experiments to the mainstream Quest Store
From VR Regatta to MarineVerse Sailing Club
From simple solo sailing to global competitions
From gaming curiosity to real sailing education with NauticEd

Every milestone happened because of you.

Important MarineVerse Milestones

Ten Years of Shared Memories

2016 – The year we proved you could feel the joy of sailing without leaving your house. It started with early VR Regatta prototypes on the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. We realized that even with simple graphics, the feeling of being on the water was there. Our “Relaxing” mode showed us that VR wasn’t just for gaming-it was for experiencing the freedom of the open water.

2017 – The year the vision got supercharged. With support from Film Victoria, our small team was able to go “all in.” With the help of experts, we took the app graphics and sounds to the next level, making the immersion deep enough to truly trick the senses. We also started chatting together on the MarineVerse Discord server, laying the foundation for the community we have today.

2018 – The year sailing became portable. We launched Big Breezy Boat on Oculus Go. Suddenly, you didn’t need a massive PC to sail. You could take the ocean with you anywhere. In the same year, VR Regatta 1.0 officially launched on Steam.

Greg (developer) enjoying Oculus Start swag.

2019 – The year we started racing together. We launched MarineVerse Cup in early access for Quest and SteamVR and kicked off our “Daily Race Practice” events. This was the moment sailing stopped being a solo activity and became a shared competition.

2021 – The year the floodgates opened. With the MarineVerse launch on App Lab, we removed the waitlists and invites. Anyone could now join the beta, and the community began to grow rapidly.

2022 – The year VR sailing went mainstream. Launching on the main Meta Quest Store was our graduation day. But more importantly, it was the year sailing VR reached a global audience, bringing the sport to people who had never set foot on a real dock.

2023 – The year we bridged the gap between gaming and education. Our partnership with NauticEd brought real sailing mastery to VR. We added self-mastery modules, navigation rules, and docking exercises, proving that virtual practice builds real-world competence.

2024 – The year the world opened up. We began the journey to MarineVerse Globe. We stopped being limited to specific maps and started building a persistent world where you can sail Earth’s real oceans, battling weather based on real forecasts.

2025 – The year we became a Club. We renamed MarineVerse Cup to MarineVerse Sailing Club. It’s a reflection of who we are now: not just a regatta, but a place to learn, explore, and belong.

Learn more about our history →

The Next Ten Years

We’re just getting started.

Our vision remains unchanged: enable more people to sail. But our ambitions have grown.

Imagine a Tuesday evening in 2030. Outside, it’s dark and snowing. Inside, you slip on lightweight VR glasses and are instantly transported to the coast of New Zealand in MarineVerse Globe. The waves are rolling in real-time, synced to actual weather buoys in the Pacific.

Concept art - 2030 MarineVerse Globe vision.

You practice a “man overboard” drill in heavy weather, guided by an AI coach that analyzes your actions and suggests a strategy. You aren’t just playing a game; you’re logging miles in your virtual logbook. And next summer, when you head to the yacht club, the certification you earned in the virtual world is accepted at the rental dock.

Or picture the weekend. You’re lining up for the World Championship final alongside skippers from fifty different nations. The start is tense, chaotic, and thrilling. As you maneuver for position, the Racing Rules of Sailing are enforced automatically in real-time, ensuring fair play in the heat of battle. You push for the lead, knowing the stakes are real-the podium finishers won’t just win a digital trophy, but a professional gear sponsorship from a global sailing brand.

The line between virtual practice, esports, and on-water skill will continue to blur. That is the future we are building.

And specifically this year, we plan to focus on improving the first 30 minutes in the app, to inspire even more first-timers to become VR sailors.

Thank You

To everyone who has sailed with us these past ten years - early adopters who believed in VR Regatta, beta testers who helped shape MarineVerse Cup, community members who race every week, and newcomers just discovering the joy of virtual sailing:

Thank you.

You’ve helped prove that sailing belongs in VR.

It’s impossible to thank everyone individually, but we want to recognize some of the sailors who’ve shaped this community:

A special shout-out to Moira J, who is a Helpful Hero on Discord, Globe Races event organizer, multiplayer community champion, volunteer, prolific contributor, and Patron supporter.

Helpful Heroes (Discord): Moira J, bot33
Longtime Patrons: Honest Aaron, Captain Jay, Wild Willy, simraysir, redfive410
Patreon Skippers (Pro Members): Greg79, Bernie, Capt Bob S, Solo Flyer, J J
Early Crew (Early Adopters): Pete, Romeo, Aikidomike79, Riftkev, sailcali, Finny, Clare, Easy, Ingbrush
Multiplayer community champions: donjarrl, KC2684, Filip Dymak, Sailing Murphy, Bolt, Adam 808Pilot, Brennan, South of Broad Bubba, Terri’s Wind Dancer, Notorious, Tricolore, Awaresnipperman, Bing A Ling, jStarwhip, BobR USA, Comox Pete, Popeye, Legasea, Capt Z, Fortnum
Globe Pioneers: zen, PapaVole, Nico70, Bob R, Captain Aargg, Mitt31, Spring Diver, Rick, David, Jim Intriglia, MDorval, Gullit, Nabrisket, Redshank
Prolific feedback contributors: Pedro, Mike36, Papibazooka, Hopie, WindWizard, Tartanstorm
Game changers: Grant from NauticEd, err404
MarineVerse Cup top racers: JD, DRan, Retsirof, Yeah Boy, AZJ, Markolus, DTB Rastan, Zorm325, Mighty Bear, Defender TD5, Xplanero, Paul Gunny, Doc66, Hein Bloed, CalJames, Jojo03, Apfelgluck, Pixtel, Justin, Juho, Borenberg, goatman, Sail n Surg n, RockitMind

… and the hundreds of others racing, chatting, and sharing the joy of sailing every week.

This community is yours as much as ours.

Together, as virtual reality continues to grow, we’re going to help millions more people fall in love with sailing.

If MarineVerse has helped you, here are three ways you can support the next decade:

Leave a review on the Quest store (it genuinely changes the game for us).
Join a multiplayer event and bring a sailor friend along.
Join as a MarineVerse Patreon to help fund our continued development.

Here’s to ten more years on the water together.

❤️⛵

Fair winds,

Greg Dziemidowicz The MarineVerse Team

#SailMoreOften #MarineVerse10Years #VRSailing

MarineVerse team hard at work on research and development.

Happy Holidays from MarineVerse! 2025 Year in Review + Holiday Sailing Ideas

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Ahoy MarineVerse Community!

As the year comes to a close, I want to say a huge thank you for being part of the MarineVerse sailing community.

Whether you race with us every week or only check in once a year, you’re a big part of why this project is still sailing forward.

This year we’ve added new boats, new ways to relax, new training tools, and more racing than ever - perfect reasons to put the headset on over the Xmas break and see what’s new.

New to VR sailing? Start with Hansa 303

If you (or someone in your family) are trying VR sailing for the first time, we’ve added a simple, highly accessible training boat: Hansa 303.

It’s based on a real-world sailboat used in Sailability programs and rehab - very stable and joystick-controlled, so it’s a gentle, confidence-building first sail.

Read more and try it

Want to relax? Cruise on S/V Uma or explore the Globe

For those who want something more relaxing this holiday season:

Step aboard S/V Uma, the famous electric cruising yacht from Sailing Uma. We’ve built a digital replica you can walk inside and sail in VR.

Sail S/V Uma

Continue your journey in MarineVerse Globe - real weather, day/night cycle, 24/7 sailing and global exploration.

This year we’ve added:

Landmasses and coastal details
Stats & achievements for passages, visited seas and ports
Community offshore races like Anchorage to San Francisco, San Francisco to Valparaiso, Melbourne to Wellington, Wellington to Sydney, and now upcoming Sydney to Hobart

Sailing Pass members can also try experimental exploration levels with 3D cities (powered by Google Earth Maps API) in Free Sail. For a limited time, you can secure your MarineVerse Club membership with a special 50% off promotion - the perfect moment to upgrade and see everything we’ve been building.

VR sailing with MarineVerse is perfect for a quiet sail between holiday meals.

Want to learn or train? Docking & Pro mode

On the learning side, we’ve expanded:

Our popular VR Docking exercises with a 40-foot cruising catamaran with twin engines - a great practical bridge between theory and real-world manoeuvring.

Try Catamaran Docking

An experimental “Pro simulation” mode for the yacht in Free Sail - for those who want a more realistic, demanding sailing model.

Learn about Pro Simulation

A new experimental AI coach, available on the website and in the app via the Quick Menu, to help answer questions and guide your learning in MarineVerse.

Try the AI Coach

If you’re thinking about levelling up your sailing in 2026, these are good places to start.

Love racing? Join the fleet

Our racing community stayed busy with Daily Race Practice, weekly multiplayer racing and special events:

Inaugural Yacht Racing Tournament
MarineVerse Cup Anniversary Regatta
MarineVerse Cup May Regatta 2025

We also wrapped up the Pro Autumn Race Series 2025. Congratulations to the winners:

Yacht:

JD
DRan
Yeah Boy

Dinghy:

JD
DRan
Retsirof

Catamaran:

JD
DRan
Yeah Boy

Waszp: DRan

Hansa 303: DRan

Opti: DRan

If you’d like to join multiplayer racing or just sail with others:

MarineVerse Multiplayer

The Winter Race Series 2026 has just started and you’re invited to jump in - simply sail in Daily Race Practice to start participating.

In January, MarineVerse will celebrate 10 years, and we’re planning another tournament to mark the occasion.

Join our Discord chat to hear about it first - and if you’re interested in the Sydney to Hobart Globe Race, check the #globe-beta channel.

Help shape 2026 - quick survey

Every year we ask what’s important to you so we know where to focus next.

Our 2026 survey is now live - your answers directly influence what we build:

Take the Survey

Over the Xmas break, I hope you’ll get a chance to:

Jump back into MarineVerse for a quick relaxing sail
Try something new - whether it’s the Hansa 303, S/V Uma, Globe, docking, Pro Sim or a bit of racing
If you’re a regular, please consider sharing the gift of sailing by inviting a friend or family member for a short VR sail

Thank you again for being part of the MarineVerse community and for supporting virtual sailing.

I wish you a wonderful holiday season and happy sailing!

Happy sailing!

Greg on behalf of MarineVerse team.

MarineVerse Sailing Club:

Mastering Twin Engines: Catamaran Docking Comes to MarineVerse Sailing Club!

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Docking. It’s the moment where even seasoned sailors hold their breath. The wind catches the bow, the current pushes the stern, and suddenly that slip looks very narrow.

Two years ago, we introduced Docking practice to MarineVerse Sailing Club, giving monohull sailors a safe, stress-free environment to master slow-speed maneuvering, prop walk, and wind effects. It quickly became one of our most popular training features.

Today, we are thrilled to announce a major expansion to our Docking training modules. We’re handing you the keys (or rather, the dual throttles) to a Dual Rudder Catamaran.

The Catamaran Difference: A New Challenge

If you’re used to docking a single-engine monohull, stepping onto a catamaran is a whole new world. It’s not just about having more beam; it’s about mastering a completely different propulsion system.

With twin engines spaced wide apart, you gain an incredible advantage: differential thrust.

As demonstrated in our latest gameplay video, you no longer rely solely on the rudder for low-speed turning. By putting one engine in forward and the other in reverse, you can spin the catamaran literally within its own length.

But the real magic - and the hardest skill to master in the real world - is “crabbing” or walking the boat sideways. By balancing opposing throttles and turning the wheel against the momentum, you can slide horizontally into a tight dock space without moving forward or backward.

It looks like magic when a pro does it at the marina. Now, you can learn to do it too.

The Missing Link Between Theory and Reality

We’ve always believed that VR is the ultimate training ground for sailing. It is the practical, hands-on bridge between studying theory and taking the helm of a real vessel.

When it comes to maneuvering under power, the theory is essential. We highly recommend NauticEd’s comprehensive course on Maneuvering Under Power to understand the physics of prop walk, pivot points, and windage.

But reading about differential thrust and actually feeling how sensitive those twin throttles are? That’s a different story.

Trying your first catamaran “pivot turn” in a crowded marina with a rented boat is a recipe for high blood pressure - and potentially expensive gelcoat repairs. MarineVerse Sailing Club allows you to build muscle memory and confidence in a zero-risk environment. You can crash our virtual catamaran into the dock 50 times so that when you do it for real, you get it right the first time.

Ready to take the helm?

The update is live now in MarineVerse Sailing Club. Grab your controllers, step onto the wide bridge of the catamaran, and start practicing those twin-throttle maneuvers today.

To access the Dual Rudder Catamaran, select NauticEd Training Room -> Docking -> Power -> Power Cat.

We’ll see you on the docks!

Greg on behalf of MarineVerse team

About NauticEd

NauticEd is a fully recognized education and certification platform for sailing students combining online and on-the-water real instruction (and now VR). Since Grant Headifen founded NauticEd in 2008, students have taken over a quarter million sailing courses from its e-learning platform combined with on-the-water experience via sailing partners and schools in 23 countries. NauticEd offers 24 online courses, an electronic logbook, a sailing resume tool, and six ranks of certification – all integrated into NauticEd’s proprietary platform. The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) recognize NauticEd as having met the established American National Standards. For more information, please visit www.nauticed.org.

About MarineVerse

Started in Melbourne, Australia in January 2016 MarineVerse is an international team of creatives and advocates for sailing and emergent technology. With a mission to inspire, train and connect sailors around the world as well as share the unique feeling of sailing with a global audience, MarineVerse launched MarineVerse Sailing Club in 2022 to bring virtual reality sailing to standalone headsets. For more information, please visit www.marineverse.com.

Setting Sail for Everyone: The Hansa 303 Joins MarineVerse Sailing Club

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: The world’s most accessible sailing boat, the Hansa 303, is now live in MarineVerse Sailing Club. With its VR-perfect joystick controls, it’s now our default training boat, making sailing truly accessible for all abilities.

There’s a moment every sailor chases—when the wind, the boat, and your hands work in perfect harmony. For too many, that feeling has remained out of reach. Today, that changes. We are incredibly proud to announce that the Hansa 303, a boat that has transformed thousands of lives, is now available in MarineVerse Sailing Club.

If you don’t know the Hansa 303, picture a boat designed from the keel up with one principle: everyone should be able to sail. It achieves this with an ingenious joystick control positioned directly in front of the sailor, offering stability and confidence.

My own “aha!” moment came while sailing a Hansa 303 at Docklands Yacht Club in Melbourne. The joystick control felt incredibly intuitive, and I realized its forward-facing position was a perfect match for VR, where hand tracking works best when the headset’s cameras can see your hands. It was as if the boat was designed for VR, decades before we could even imagine it.

Thanks to the vision of Paul Wager from Sailability Auckland and the enthusiastic support of Hansa founder Chris Mitchell, we brought this idea to life. Paul provided 3D scans to ensure dimensional accuracy, and we worked with Hansa sailors to perfect the physics until the virtual boat handled just like the real thing.

This is why we’re not just adding another boat; we’re making the Hansa 303 our default training vessel. We believe your first sail should be welcoming and successful. This aligns perfectly with our mission to democratize the sport.

The implications are profound. Sailability programs can now train year-round. Those in rehabilitation can stay connected to the sport they love. Coaches can instruct students remotely.

The Hansa 303 proves that with thoughtful design, we can create experiences that truly include everyone. In MarineVerse, the wind is always fair, the water is always welcoming, and the horizon is calling to all of us.

Ready to Set Sail?

The Hansa 303 is waiting for you:

Meta Quest Store
Steam

Happy sailing!

Greg on behalf of MarineVerse team.

Hansa 303 Sets Sail in MarineVerse, Making Virtual Reality Sailing Accessible to Everyone

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Melbourne, Australia – December 19, 2025 – MarineVerse, the pioneer in virtual reality (VR) sailing simulation, today announced the addition of the licensed Hansa 303 sailboat to its popular MarineVerse Sailing Club platform. This significant integration makes one of the world’s most inclusive and approachable training dinghies the primary training vessel in VR, reinforcing MarineVerse’s mission to make the joy of sailing accessible to people of all abilities.

The Hansa 303 is celebrated globally for its stable design and user-friendly joystick tiller, a control system that translates perfectly to VR hand-tracking technology. By making it the default boat for newcomers, MarineVerse ensures that everyone’s first virtual sailing experience is intuitive, confidence-building, and fun.

“Hansa boats are built on universal design principles, making them accessible and enjoyable for anyone, including sailors with disabilities. Giving sailors a way to learn and practice in the virtual world is hugely valuable. For those in rehabilitation, it can provide not just skills, but motivation and confidence to engage with life and the sport.” — Paul Wager, Trustee of Sailability Auckland and Secretary of the NZ Hansa Class

The project was developed with the enthusiastic support of Hansa founder Chris Mitchell and utilized 3D scans coordinated by Wager to create an authentic digital replica.

“The first time I sailed a Hansa 303, I was struck by how its front-mounted joystick was a perfect match for VR. Its stability and intuitive controls make it the ideal ambassador for sailing. Our goal is simple: let more people sail more often, and the Hansa 303 is a massive step towards making that a reality for everyone.” — Greg Dziemidowicz, Founder of MarineVerse

Benefits for Sailors and Clubs

Accessible Training: The intuitive joystick control and stable design lower the barrier to entry for first-time sailors.
Bridge to On-Water Experience: Sailing clubs and Sailability programs can use the platform for year-round training, regardless of weather.
Remote Coaching & Community: Multiplayer support allows coaches to join sessions from a PC (flatscreen mode) to assist sailors in VR, breaking down geographical barriers.
Cross-Platform Access: Available on Meta Quest and SteamVR, with tablet and phone versions in development to further expand access.

The Hansa 303 integration is more than a new feature; it’s a testament to MarineVerse’s commitment to building the world’s largest and most inclusive sailing club.

“It is fantastic to finally see a sailing simulator catering for sailors with all abilities.” — Chris Riordan, Past President for the Australian Hansa Association

Availability

The Hansa 303 is available now in MarineVerse Sailing Club on the Meta Quest Store and Steam for US$29.99.

About MarineVerse

Founded in Melbourne, Australia, MarineVerse is an international team dedicated to inspiring, training, and connecting sailors globally through authentic and approachable VR experiences.

About Hansa Sailing

Hansa Sailing designs universally accessible sailcraft used in over 30 countries for recreation, training, and competition, including Para World Sailing Championships.

Media Contact: press@marineverse.com

www.marineverse.com

# # #

MarineVerse Blog

From VR to Real Water: How Sea Scouts Used MarineVerse for Winter Sailing Training

VR Sailing Assessment - Sea Scout Ship 2028 S.S.S. Polaris

Setup and Approach

What the Scouts Learned

Reception and Usability

Value for Youth Sailing Education

Challenges: Scalability and Cost

Conclusion

Our Thoughts and Next Steps

Winter Practice is Catching On Around the World

Want to Try VR Sailing With Your Group?

Champion Crowned at the Inaugural International Hansa 303 Virtual Sailing Challenge

World’s First Virtual Reality Hansa Class Competition

Looking Ahead

About MarineVerse

Media Contact

VR Sailors - MarineVerse Community: Jason Thomas

VR Sailors - MarineVerse Community: Filippo Ferrante

VR Sailors - MarineVerse Community: Bill Starr

MarineVerse: 10 Years of Sailing in Virtual Reality

Why Did We Create MarineVerse?

The Impact We’ve Had So Far

How Are People Participating in MarineVerse Sailing Club?

Where We’ve Been

Important MarineVerse Milestones

The Next Ten Years

Thank You

Happy Holidays from MarineVerse! 2025 Year in Review + Holiday Sailing Ideas

New to VR sailing? Start with Hansa 303

Want to relax? Cruise on S/V Uma or explore the Globe

Want to learn or train? Docking & Pro mode

Love racing? Join the fleet

Help shape 2026 - quick survey

Let’s sail more often - and share it with others

Mastering Twin Engines: Catamaran Docking Comes to MarineVerse Sailing Club!

The Catamaran Difference: A New Challenge

The Missing Link Between Theory and Reality

Ready to take the helm?

Setting Sail for Everyone: The Hansa 303 Joins MarineVerse Sailing Club

Ready to Set Sail?

Hansa 303 Sets Sail in MarineVerse, Making Virtual Reality Sailing Accessible to Everyone

Benefits for Sailors and Clubs

Availability

About MarineVerse

About Hansa Sailing