Getting Afloat
During a year like no other, we have witnessed phenomenal innovation at boating venues around the country. The latest participation survey revealed that over eight million people are now taking part in watersports. As a national governing body this presents us with a great opportunity to grow our membership and work with clubs and centres to improve their engagement and participation levels.
This year more than ever we have seen our club volunteers come together and work tirelessly to ensure members could continue to get on the water
The RYA Affi liated Clubs Conference was staged virtually, with over 900 delegates in attendance. Hosted by Shirley Robertson, headline speakers included Sport England Board member Chris Grant and Sir Ben Ainslie.
More than 2,500 RYA members registered for the fi rst virtual Cruising Conference in the spring of 2021. Delegates enjoyed talks and workshops ranging from post-Brexit guidance to the latest developments in safety, and the chance to put questions to our cruising and legal experts. Sailability groups from around the UK also came together virtually at their national conference where Baroness Tanni Grey-Thomson was the keynote speaker.
Our young boaters continue to inspire us. Thirty-one nominations were received for the Panerai Challenger Trophy 2020. The award recognises outstanding youngsters who have embraced the power of sailing or windsurfi ng to achieve an inspirational personal triumph.
We also named the ten OnBoard sailors that have been awarded the use of their own boat thanks to our partnership with the John Merricks Sailing Trust. The partnership has been extended for three years, which will result in £105,000 worth of funding for young sailors across the country.
This year more than ever we have seen our club volunteers come together and work tirelessly to ensure members could continue to get on the water. Forty volunteers were celebrated at the 2020 RYA Volunteer Awards, some receiving their awards at small presentations at their venues where restrictions allowed.
Port Dinorwic Sailing Club’s endeavours were rewarded with the 2021 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year Award, supported by Gallagher. When many of their members were
unable to get out on the water, the club’s ingenious online activities, including training and eSailing, continued to keep them entertained and engaged.
Clubs tuned in throughout the weeks of lockdown to join Club Development webinars. Hundreds of clubs also took advantage of the Virtual Regatta VIP Pass, running their own club events as well as signing up to the RYA eSailing Spring Club and Class Championship. Thousands of sailors signed up to take part in a host of eSailing events to help keep racing alive during lockdown.
Ten eSailors were then selected to represent the UK in the World Sailing Nations Cup, which saw GBR crowned as the top eSailing nation in the World. RYA Sailability also ran their annual Multiclass Regatta on Virtual Regatta due to the COVID-19 restrictions at the time.
A total of 8,200 people registered for the virtual RYA Dinghy Show, with more than 12,000 logins over the live weekend. With two virtual stages and over 100 exhibitors the event attracted sailing fans from across the globe. The new RYA Dinghy Trails were offi cially launched at the show, and have since attracted more than 2,500 views. New trails continue to be added to the portfolio to ensure all parts of the UK are well represented.
RYA ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021
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