Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Our commitment to EDI means responding to the specific needs and aspirations of different groups, understanding perceptions of and barriers to participation in boating, and striving to stay informed about wider societal changes.

What we said in our strategic plan. And what we did this year.

Disability sailing means anyone can get afloat

We work with Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) to highlight and host opportunities for those living with disabilities to get afloat safely and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of sailing.

In August 2022, we again attended the annual Wheels to Water inclusive event at the Castle Semple Centre, Lochwinnoch, along with SDS and fellow governing bodies – Scottish Canoe Association and Scottish Cycling. Though water levels in the loch sadly prevented the Hansa sail boats from going out, canoeing, rowing and powerboating taster sessions went ahead (along with cycling), and participants had the chance to chat to our team about accessible sailing.

All hail the Hansa!

The colourful sails of Hansa boats against blue skies marked the RYA Scotland Disability Open Day, held at Bardowie Loch in October 2022. The Hansa class aims to make sailing appealing, accessible and affordable for a broader range of people.

The open day, hosted along with the Clyde Cruising Club (CCC) Dinghy Section and the Hansa Class Association, was inspired by the enthusiasm of RYA Race Coach, CCC member and Hansa performance sailor Rory McKinna.

volunteers.

More young people and places coming OnBoard

OnBoard is the nationwide RYA programme that encourages youngsters aged eight to 18 to try sailing and windsurfing at their local club or centre in a safe, fun and structured environment. It is designed to help develop key life skills and has learning at its core.

This reporting year, we have made significant progress in expanding and developing the OnBoard programme in Scotland, as shown by the figures to the right.

In February 2023, we welcomed Hannah Cockle, then RYA Onboard Operations Officer, to Port Edgar. Hannah ran two workshop days for coaches, chief instructors and principals at clubs and centres to gain an understanding of OnBoard.

A number of expressions of interest from centres and clubs means we expect the number offering OnBoard to grow further in the coming two years. In addition, we are currently working to align the outcomes of the OnBoard resources with Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence to support the link to education. We hope to launch these by the end of 2023.

1 new OnBoard centre joined this reporting year (Stranraer Watersports)

6 OnBoard Centres in Scotland

12 new OnBoard tutors trained this reporting year

1003 new participants in Scotland in 2022

OnBoard Festival fun

At the end of August 2022, we hosted three regional OnBoard Introductory Festivals to bring together young sailors – whether beginners or already familiar with the sport – in a fun festival atmosphere.

Over 40 children took part in the West and North regional festivals, held at James Hamilton Heritage Park and Lochcarron Sailing Club respectively. Unfortunately, the planned East event at Monikie Regional Park was cancelled due to blue-green algae.

Given their success, these regional OnBoard Festivals will become an annual fixture, with dates confirmed for late August and early September 2023 at the same three venues.

Supporting female Pioneers in their communities

We started the Pioneer Project in 2018 to explore ideas for encouraging more women into boating in Scotland, and respond to the sportscotland Fit for Girls programme. The project connects Pioneers – women who are driving inclusive initiatives within their own clubs or communities – as a peer mentoring group.

Currently there are 11 Pioneers, who between them have done much to grow female participation in boating around Scotland. They include Sarah Green from Prestwick Sailing Club, who has been leading womens’ training there; Roisin Fleming at Port Edgar Watersports, who runs its women’sonly event No Bouys Allowed; and Robyn Francis of Aberdeen University Sailing Club, who has had a big impact in her role with Scottish Student Sailing in encouraging female participation.

Female take-over at Port Edgar

No Buoys Allowed at Port Edgar is an annual all-women’s day held in late May, offering watersports taster sessions run by volunteer female instructors, exclusively for female participants.

It is inspired by Steering The Course, the annual festival of women in sailing started by World Sailing in 2021.

Women on Water at Prestwick

During the reporting year, our then Training Development Officer, Robyn Phillips, helped to deliver the Women on Water programme at Prestwick Sailing Club. Run by Pioneer Sarah Green, the initiative aims to build a community of female sailors who feel confident and supported. In May 2022, a one-day Laser race coaching session was held to help progress participants towards the next level, while a Ladies Who Launch day in April 2023 offered rigging and boat set-up sessions without the ‘mansplaining’.