CHANGING FACE OF MARINAS

Travelling by boat is one of the oldest forms of transport. As the UK is surrounded by coastline, it is fair to say that we have been enjoying boats for a long time. As such, boating is a hobby that is steeped in tradition, from specifi c superstitions to sea shanties, which you might recall made a surprising viral come-back last year!

Traditions make up the foundation of communities. Shared beliefs and ways of working help bring people together. As boaters know, being active on the water and enjoying nature has incredible benefi ts for the mind, body and soul. Most boaters want to share this feeling with friends and family, keen to get more people involved with this fantastic pastime.

However, traditions can also sometimes act as barriers to entry. By sticking to the way things have been for centuries, newcomers can feel shut off, especially when confronted with a wall of challenges before being able to receive any enjoyment.

The fear of making mistakes, not being accepted or simply the anticipated costs can turn people away. Marinas are the natural home of boat loving communities but at the same time can feel diffi cult to break into for those curious about the boating lifestyle.

Therefore, boatfolk have set out to make boating much more accessible. They have done this in two ways: removing boat ownership as a requirement and encouraging the next generation of boaters to get on the water. Beyonder We all know how much fun being on the water can be. However, the associated time-consuming tasks of maintenance, along with security and costs can sometimes feel like a never-ending list of things to worry about. Newcomers do not necessarily want to make the huge commitment of owning a boat and taking on these worries before at least having a go on the water.

That is why Beyonder, boatfolk’s new subscription-based service, provides the opportunity to get on the water without owning a boat. Picking from a range of available boats from the fl eet, customers are given an integrated training course to make sure they are fully comfortable with their specifi c home boat.

After that, they are free to book stays throughout the season or spontaneous trips up to 48 hours before departure. Everything else, from fuel to cleaning and insurance, is completely taken care of.

By eliminating these barriers to entry, Beyonder by boatfolk aims to encourage more people on to the water.

boatgen As boating is so full of rich traditions, the barriers to entry can include knowledge and experience. Everyone

Beyonder allows people to get afl oat without having to own a boat

must have a fi rst time on the water, but even a beginner’s experience can feel out of reach to many younger individuals. If you do not come from a family of sailors or get introduced to it by a friend, a busy marina can seem like an alien world.

With the simple goal of bringing young boaters together to have fun afl oat, boatgen provides people with the skills and confi dence needed to get them Here is a Seabin installed on River Soar on the water. boatfolk’s partnership with the Andrew Simpson Foundation makes boatgen possible. Operating taster days from the 11 boatfolk marinas around the UK, the aim is to provide accessible opportunities for all.

However, a vital asset in bringing boating to the next generation are the ambassadors. These young individuals are role models who understand the value of sailing and watersports. Their passion for the sport makes them best suited to inspire and build this growing community.

All boatgen initiatives are purposefully designed to create safe and accessible places for anyone to spend time in, on or by the water. By welcoming everyone with an interest in boating, boatfolk hopes to connect and grow a nationwide community of boaters for many years to come.

Visit boatfolk.co.uk to fi nd out more about Beyonder, boatgen and the other ways boatfolk plan to make boating more accessible.