Reflections on Water: UK Sailing Seeks Feedback
Alexandra
The RYA's Reflections on Water survey runs until 1 December and aims to collect more than 7,000 responses to investigate a sustained decline in sailing participation across the UK.
Key facts from the RYA campaign
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has opened its largest-ever national survey to capture a snapshot of life on the water for recreational boaters. The organisation represents a community of more than 100,000 members and will use the survey to inform programmes, policy and outreach designed to make sailing and boating more accessible and inclusive.
Scope and topics covered
The survey is open to all skill levels, from novices to professional skippers. It covers four strategic themes:
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- Wellbeing — the mental and physical benefits of time on the water;
- Safety — training, equipment and incident reporting;
- Sustainability — environmental impact and low-carbon practices;
- Participation pathways — grassroots clubs, instruction, volunteer routes and careers in the marine sector.
Why the RYA needs responses
With participation figures showing a downward trend, the RYA is seeking community feedback to identify barriers — whether cost, access to suitable craft, training gaps, or limited local facilities — and to prioritise interventions that will stabilise and grow engagement across age groups and regions.
Practical implications for marinas, clubs and charter operators
A robust, evidence-based understanding of who is leaving the sport and why will influence where funding, training, and infrastructure are directed. Charter operators, marinas and boat-rental businesses should watch the survey outcomes closely because changes in participation affect demand for crewed charters, day rentals, seasonal berthing and training courses.
| Survey topic | Potential impact on charters & rentals |
|---|---|
| Wellbeing | Growth in wellness-focused charters (short trips, mindful sailing) and demand for small-group experiences. |
| Safety | Stronger emphasis on certified skippers and safety briefings; possible rise in demand for skippered rentals. |
| Sustainability | Increased market for electric or low-emission boats, eco-friendly marinas, and sustainable tourism packages. |
| Participation pathways | More investment in learn-to-sail programmes and vocational routes feeding the charter and superyacht sectors. |
Who should respond and how
Responses are valuable from:
- Club members and volunteers;
- Recreational sailors and powerboaters;
- Charter clients and commercial operators;
- Instructors, marina managers and youth groups.
Anyone wishing to contribute can complete the RYA questionnaire online before 1 December. The RYA plans to publish findings early next year and use them to shape future activity.
Historical context: RYA’s role in British yachting
Over its 150-year evolution the RYA transformed from a gentlemen’s club into the national governing body for recreational boating, shaping training standards, safety regulation and competitive racing. That heritage gives the association leverage to coordinate responses across clubs, marinas and ports, and to direct resources towards training and infrastructure where they matter most.
What this means for sailors and holidaymakers
For people who rent boats or book yacht charters — whether a day sail on a coastal inlet, a weeklong cruise through a sun-dappled gulf, or a captain-led superyacht charter — the survey’s outcomes could change the availability and design of offerings. Expect shifts toward shorter, safer, and more sustainable experiences, with clearer information on vessel specs, skipper qualifications and pricing transparency.
Immediate takeaways for the charter and rental market
Operators should consider:
- Investing in safety certification and customer education;
- Highlighting sustainability credentials and low-emission options;
- Expanding accessible, low-cost entry products to grow the base of new sailors;
- Using data-driven marketing to reach communities underrepresented in boating.
GetBoat keeps an eye on developments like this because shifts in participation shape the leisure and charter markets; the platform values freedom, energy and the ability to choose your own course, helping sailors find vessels that match their budget and taste.
The RYA’s CEO, Sara Sutcliffe, has framed the survey as an opportunity for the community to voice both joys and barriers to participation, urging respondents to help shape a future where more people can belong and thrive on the water.
While the RYA’s findings will primarily inform UK policy and programming, regional implications for marinas, training centres and hire fleets could be immediate — especially where local participation dips most sharply.
Overall, the short-term impact on the global tourism map is likely modest: this is a national-level initiative aimed at UK sailing infrastructure and community health. However, the themes it highlights — safety, sustainability and access — resonate with charter markets worldwide. To gain a deeper understanding of this unstable and ever-changing world, as unpredictable as the sea, join the community of boat enthusiasts and get the best deal on your first rental.
Experiencing a new location is always a multifaceted process: you learn about the culture, nature, the indescribable palette of local colours, its rhythm of life and also the unique aspects of the service. If you are planning your next trip to the sea, you should definitely consider renting a boat (boat rentals, rent a boat, rent a yacht), as each inlet, bay, and lagoon is unique and tells you about the region just as much as the local cuisine, architecture, and language GetBoat.com
In summary, the RYA’s Reflections on Water survey is a practical step toward diagnosing the causes of falling sailing participation and prioritising interventions in training, safety and sustainability. For the charter market and holidaymakers, this could translate into better-informed services: clearer vessel listings, more skippered and safety-focused options, eco-conscious choices, and revitalised grassroots pathways into the sport. Whether you’re looking to book a yacht or a small boat, plan a family day at the beach or a calm cruise on a lake, consider the role of certified captains and vetted listings when you rent. GetBoat’s transparency around make, model and ratings supports smarter choices for sailing, charter or sale, from marinas to superyacht options, and for activities like fishing or coastal boating. Destinations and yachting experiences—whether gulf, sea, ocean or clearwater bays—benefit when the whole ecosystem, from training providers to marina operators, responds to community feedback. Book now and set your course.
