10:00PM // JUN 26, 2025
Mike: Athletes Must Lead By Example To Save Our Oceans
CEO and strategist Mike Buckley spoke about his relationship with the ocean at our second Climate Academy Session…
U.S. SailGP Team CEO and strategist Mike Buckley says it is on athletes to lead by example to inspire the next generation of ocean advocates.
Speaking at the second of six Climate Action Academy sessions, put on in partnership with Sustained Futures, Mike was asked about how SailGP is working to land a vital message in the battle against climate change.
He said: “Athletes are becoming more aware. Years ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice about holding a plastic water bottle. Now, I think about the message it sends. We’ve had more education, more media, more attention.”
Mike continued: “You can’t ask others to change unless you’re willing to change yourself. And we’re seeing more of that in sports now. Athletes have a bigger voice than ever before, and that voice can drive change.
“We also need to make sustainable choices ‘cool’. Like getting my kids to eat vegetables – they’re more likely to do it if it feels like their idea. It’s the same with climate action. Innovation is key—like creating a water bottle that disintegrates safely. That kind of breakthrough will change the world.”
The Climate Action Academy is an educational initiative – run in association with Sustained Futures – designed to empower young people with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to become leaders in ocean and climate advocacy.
In session one, wing trimmer Jeremy Wilmot spoke passionately about his relationship with the ocean. That was forged as a youngster growing up in Sydney, Australia, as part of a family with a rich sailing heritage.
JEREMY: SAILORS CAN’T STAND STILL ANYMORE
Mike’s own upbringing was somewhat different – but an unbreakable bond with the water was equally apparent.
“Nothing about my path into sailing was typical,” Mike admitted. “Most people in the sport are born into it. I was raised by a single mom who worked three jobs. I never met my dad. My mom kept me in sports – probably as a way to keep me out of trouble and teach me teamwork!
“I ended up getting a scholarship to a private boarding school. I thought I was headed for an ice hockey career. At 13, I was pretty good; at 14, not so much. That school happened to have one of the best sailing teams in the world. I got curious – these kids were going sailing every afternoon, and I wanted to know more.
“Looking back, my mom was always drawn to the ocean. Even when we had no money, she’d bring me to the beach. So I think that connection was there from early on. Once I started sailing in high school, I realized I loved competition – and sailing became my way to keep competing.
“I’ve always been an outsider in my sport. I didn’t grow up sailing, and my family wasn’t involved in it. But I think that’s actually my superpower: I don’t think like a sailor, because that’s not in my DNA.”
For Mike, there is a powerful synergy between ocean advocacy and SailGP, with innovation the common thread running through both.
“It’s easy to talk about change, but actually doing it is much harder,” Mike said. “Still, talking about it is the starting point. When we bought the team, we wanted to move beyond just talk – we wanted to take real action. I’d say we’re still in the early innings of where we hope to go.
“At the heart of SailGP is innovation. And when it comes to climate action and making the world a better place, innovation is essential. We’re trying to push boundaries within our ecosystem – and beyond.”
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