RYA sets campaign goal to double participation and connect more people to the water

The RYA and British Sailing has unveiled its updated Together on Water strategy, with a ten-year plan to to double participation and connect more people to the water

The Together on Water campaign first launched in 2023, and the refreshed plan outlines a clear pathway designed to grow participation, strengthen communities and safeguard the waters that inspire millions across the UK. Readers can view the full RYA strategy online.

The strategy aims to double active participation in water-based activities over the next decade and enable ten million people to experience ‘blue spaces’.

“Since originally launching Together on Water, we have put our community at the heart of everything we do, and we are already seeing the impact,” says Sara Sutcliffe, RYA CEO.

“We have listened and we know that being on the water can be life-changing, but too many people still feel that spending time on the water is not accessible to them, and that must change. As an island nation, being on the water should be part of our national identity”.

The campaign aligns four priorities related to water-based activities:

• More people, more often, growing participation and helping people develop lifelong connections with the water.
• More backgrounds – opening opportunities and creating a welcoming community where everyone feels they belong.
• Better blue spaces – protecting and enhancing our waters.
• Brilliant basics – providing the strong foundations, systems and support that enable everything the RYA does.

From challenging dated perceptions to enabling more young people to unlock opportunities that extend far beyond participation, the RYA says Together on Water is about making time on the water something people can grow up with and return to throughout their lives.

The refreshed strategy is informed by key insights from the RYA’s Reflections on Water Survey and the National Watersports Participation Survey, which highlight the significant role that water plays in people’s lives.

The research indicates:

• People are drawn to the water because of how it makes them feel.
• Strong communities help more people thrive on and around the water.
• Reducing barriers will enable more people to participate.
• Future growth depends on reaching and welcoming new audiences.
• People who feel connected to blue spaces are more likely to protect and care for them.

Through Together on Water, areas of work include creating opportunities through volunteering, leadership and careers, supporting under-represented groups and building programmes that connect people where they live.

Sir Michael Arthur, RYA chair, adds: “We know this ambition is bold, but due to the invaluable support from our members, dedicated network and partners, we are not working alone.

“Together on Water has always championed the joy of sailing and boating and now the RYA enters its next chapter with a sharper focus as we turn that vision into action.”

Read more about Together on Water