RYA Summer of Sailing Fund Gets Young People Afloat Across Scotland

A £40,000 fund aimed at first experiences afloat

RYA Scotland says more than 25 organisations received support through its Summer of Sailing Community Youth Activation Fund during 2026. The £40,000 programme was launched with support from sportscotland to help clubs, centres and local communities give children and young people practical opportunities to try sailing, boating and watersports.

The funding was focused particularly on reducing barriers for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Rather than concentrating support in one region, grants reached organisations across the Highlands and Islands, the central belt and the north-east coast.

Local organisations shaped the activities

The programme relied on RYA-affiliated organisations with local knowledge to decide how best to use the funding in their communities. That approach allowed activities to reflect different waters, facilities and participant needs rather than imposing a single national format on every club or centre.

For the leisure-boat sector, participation programmes matter because they create the next generation of sailors, paddlers, powerboaters and boat owners. A first positive experience on a dinghy, training boat or small powerboat can be more influential than marketing aimed at people who have never had a practical route onto the water.

Participation is part of the industry's future

Boatbuilding and equipment news often receives most industry attention, but access and training determine how large the boating community can become. Programmes that lower the cost or confidence barrier for younger participants therefore have a direct connection to the long-term health of clubs, training centres and the wider leisure marine economy.

RYA Scotland says a key strength of the fund has been considering what happens after the initial activity, rather than treating each session as an isolated event. That focus on continued participation is important if introductory programmes are to translate into lasting boating skills and regular time on the water.