Students sail towards a greener future

by RYA Press Office 25 Feb 21:32 GMT

Winners of the RYA Green Blue University Sailing Sustainability Challenge 2025 © RYA

Students leading the way in sustainable sailing were celebrated this weekend at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, where the winners of the RYA Green Blue University Sailing Sustainability Challenge 2025 were crowned.

The challenge, sponsored by the Royal Thames Yacht Club, shines a light on university sailing clubs from across the UK. From beach cleans and equipment reuse initiatives, to waste reduction and awareness raising in local communities, the challenge highlights key environmental best practice that all sailors and clubs can adopt.

In front of a packed crowd, Exeter University Sailing Club claimed the first prize, recognising their efforts in protecting their freshwater environment and effectively spreading the word about sustainability. They win a brand-new Spirit 1.0 Plus Electric Outboard donated by ePropulsion. This prize will support the club in continuing their efforts to decarbonise their sailing activities.

Robin Alexander, a student at the University of Exeter said: "It's fantastic. The best thing about this challenge is everyone at the club gets involved. The upgrade to the electric outboard motor will enable our club to use the safety boat more and minimise our impact on the environment.

"Sailing is a sport where we harness the power of nature and it's imperative, we respect nature. We couldn't be prouder".

Second place went to the University of Bath Sailing Club who scored points for their work on the RYA Green Blue's Check, Clean and Dry campaign to prevent the spread of invasive species. They also introduced a club loyalty card system to encourage club members to bring their reusable drinks containers. They were awarded a prize bundle donated by English Braids of line and sheets made recycled polyester yarn, to fully equip the club's five Firefly dinghies.

Durham University Sailing Club won the 3rd place prize of a £400 voucher which can be used for an RYA Dinghy Instructor course, enabling the club to teach even more students how to sail.

Running now for almost a decade, this year saw new judging criteria introduced to the challenge, with a focus on eight sustainability categories including water quality, protection of biodiversity, outreach with young sailors, creating advocacy and making events more environmentally sustainable.

Kate Fortnam, RYA Green Blue Campaigns Manager commented on the success of this year's challenge. "For the past 9 years, it's been an inspiration to congratulate sailing clubs on their vital work to protect our playground and achieve their own green goals.

"Once again, the students here today have set the standards in demonstrating what can be achieved in a short time with little budget. Every small change we make as a club or an individual boat user can collectively have a greater environmental impact. What the students have accomplished together over the past few months is truly remarkable, each of them should be proud of their actions."

Congratulations to all clubs that completed the challenge:

University of Warwick Sailing and Windsurfing Sports Club
Aberystwyth University Sailing Club
University of Plymouth Yacht Club
Bangor University Sailing Club
University of Sheffield Sailing Club
Durham University Sailing Club
University of Bath Sailing Club
Loughborough Students Sailing and Windsurfing Club
Exeter University Sailing Club
Edinburgh University Sailing Club
University of Nottingham Sailing Club
Dundee University Sailing Club
Leeds University Sailing Club
University of East Anglia Sailing Club
Aberdeen University Sailing Club
Queens University Belfast Sailing Club
University of Liverpool Sailing Club

To thank them for their efforts in the challenge, each club received a goody bag containing a recycled neoprene Koozie from RAW and reef safe sun cream from Stream2Sea.

The Green Blue is the RYA's environmental outreach programme which inspires, informs and enables the recreational boating community to make more environmentally sustainable choices to protect and enhance our environment for people and nature.

All entrants have completed the RYA Green Blue Boating Pledge, committing to respect, protect, and enjoy our inland and marine waters, wildlife and habitats.

Take the Pledge yourself at www.thegreenblue.org.uk and stay up to date with our work on social media: