Students lead the way in sustainable sailing at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show

Finalists of The Green Blue University Sailing Sustainability Challenge awarded at RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show © RYA

The green actions of university students were celebrated at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, supported by Sunsail, yesterday (Saturday).

Twenty-one university sailing clubs from across the country signed up to take part in The Green Blue University Sailing Sustainability Challenge, with fourteen clubs successfully completing their award level.

Now in its ninth year, the Challenge sees students completing a range of sustainable activities, from beach cleans to equipment swaps, to reducing waste, and raising awareness of important environmental issues in their local area.

Representatives from each of the clubs joined Kate Fortnam, The Green Blue Campaign Manager, and Olympic gold medallist Eilidh McIntyre, on stage for the awards ceremony and prize draw. The clubs were entered into a cash prize draw of £1000, sponsored by Rooster®. King's College London, the winning club in the Bronze category won £200, £300 in the Silver category was won by the University of Southampton Sailing Club, and £400 was won by Aberystwyth University Sailing Club in the Gold category, £500 was won by the University of Bath Sailing Club in the Platinum category.

Commenting on the success of this year's Challenge, Kate Fortnam, The Green Blue Campaign Manager, said: "It's fantastic to be able to congratulate so many university sailing clubs in reaching their green goals, particularly the Platinum Award Level clubs which received record entries this year.

"The students continue to lead the way in demonstrating what clubs and associations across the UK can achieve with limited time and budget. Every small change that we each make as clubs, or as individual boat users does have a greater environmental impact.

"What the students have accomplished as a collective over the past few months is truly remarkable, each of them should be proud of their actions."

Kate Morrison, Rooster® Product and Marketing Manager, said: "In partnering with the Green Blue for the University Sustainability Challenge this year, we've loved backing a cause that resonates deeply. Seeing university students enthusiastically embrace environmental action is inspiring.

"Our support is more than just a gesture; it's a recognition of the substantial impact they've made. Here's to the students, driving change for a greener tomorrow!"

You can find out more about the Challenge by visiting the University Sailing Sustainability Challenge page on The Green Blue website, or by emailing: .

The Green Blue is the environment programme for the RYA, inspiring, informing and enabling the recreational boating community to make more environmentally sustainable choices.