One year of Reflections on Water
In January 2026 we looked back on one year of Reflections on Water, our national campaign to celebrate the people, progress and opportunities shaping the UK’s blue spaces. This campaign shines a light on our boating community, showing how sailing changes lives and opens up the world. Through Reflections on Water, we launched and promoted several impactful programmes, including RYA Female Futures Group, RYA Futures Lab, and The Urban Winds Project. Read on to see how some of these programmes are already making a difference.
The work of Reflections on Water
• In April 2025, we launched The Female Futures Group. The group’s aim is to make Great Britain the best place in the world to develop female sailors for life. They’re looking to increase visibility of aspirational role models such as female coaches and managers, build community through Female Futures camps, and make female health education part of the everyday sailing environment. The Group has been fast to get to work. As part of International Women’s Day, they launched ’In Her Element’, a short film shot through the eyes of a young female sailor. Watch this insightful film now through the QR code.
• The Female Futures Group has also supported three female coaches into new development roles in Welsh Sailing so more young girls have role
models to look up to. In a similar vein, the Group brought together inspiring female professionals for some exciting sessions at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show.
• The Urban Winds Project continues to go from strength to strength. Run at The Ahoy Centre in Greenwich, this project looks to create a new generation of dinghy instructors from all backgrounds in our nation’s urban centres, an area oſten overlooked in sailing. Through this work young people get to see inspiring role models that are representative of them working hard and developing skills that can lead to a career in the marine industry. Graduates of the scheme, who undertake training including Powerboat Level 1 & 2, Safe & Fun and First Aid, are currently demonstrating everything they’ve learnt at 10 different urban centres.
RYA Annual Strategic Report 2026
11
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
