Episodes
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Today, our communications team of Marc and Philippa take a deep dive into Sustainable Sailing Ltd – an innovative start up tackling some tricky environmental challenges.
With insight from co-founder Joe Penhaul-Smith, we find out how he launched Sustainable Sailing along with his brother Sam.
The first on the scene in terms of true sail recycling technology, Sustainable Sailing benefits from wealth of experience offered by its founding directors in science, and the inner workings of the marine industry – combined with a true passion for change.
The company’s innovative technology can recycle 90% of the different sail cloths in general circulation – offering a potential solution for a huge quantity of annual waste, primarily stemming from the boating and leisure marine industry.
With momentum not slowing anytime soon, Joe and Sam remain dedicated to paving the way for a more sustainable future for the marine industry.
Check out Sustainable Sailing on their website:
https://www.sustainablesailing.co.uk/
You can find out more about The Green Blue Pledge here: https://thegreenblue.org.uk/boating-pledge/
Sound Effect Copyright @BBC
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While many of us are still to get out on the water for the first time this year, it’s a different story for our student sailors, who are in the depths of running a full on event calendar.
With planning and delivering two semesters of sailing amongst full-time studies no easy feat, we’re taking a deep dive into how our student sailors pull it off year in, year out.
Made up of several distinct sailing styles, the Scottish Student Sailing (SSS) year is packed with events and training led by devoted sailors and volunteers.
Relying on representatives from the SSS community, university sailing alumni, and independent race officials, there’s plenty hard work and dedication that goes into the packed calendar of events – and plenty thanks to be paid to those who make it happen.
Listen to the episode now for a closer look at what’s on offer, and the logistics behind it all.
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'Off the Water' is back for a deep dive into cruising, and a look at some of the different voluntary opportunities on offer across RYA Scotland.
Joining our communications team of Marc and Philippa in todays discussion is Charles Bird, Chair of RYA Scotland's Cruising & General Purposes Committee.
Covering a wide range of topics, the committee is devoted to protecting the interests of boaters here in Scotland, be that by increasing the visibility of hazards, promoting environmentally sustainable practises, or by endorsing the use of older watercraft as appose to buying new.
Tune in to hear more about what falls within the Cruising & General Purposes remit, and how you could add your own value in the new year.
Head over to our recruitment page for more information on the roles discussed, as well as various other available positions on our RYA Scotland subcommittees and board.
https://www.rya.org.uk/gbni/scotland/about-us/job-vacancies
Sound Effect Copyright @ BBC
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Off the Water is back ahead of the 2023 season with some updates from the team at RYA Scotland alongside a short interview with our new CEO Finlo Cottier.
Originally from the Isle of Man, sailing brought Finlo to Scotland’s West Coast where he began work as an Artic scientist, eventually becoming a Professor at the Scottish Association of Marine Sciences (SAMS) in Oban. During this time Finlo was an active volunteer as Commodore at Oban SC and a as a deputy coxswain for the RNLI, so has kept close to the water throughout his roles.
The full article on Finlo is available at https://www.rya.org.uk/news/new-ceo-announced-for-rya-scotland
We are continuing to strengthen our team with a number of roles available at: https://www.rya.org.uk/gbni/scotland/about-us/job-vacancies
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Why is lack of volunteers one of the biggest barriers to the growth of sailing clubs today? What needs to change?In this episode of Off The Water we return to the topic of volunteers and volunteering. As we emerge from the lack of formal activities brought about by the pandemic, alongside many other aspects of social change, finding, retaining and supporting volunteers has been brought into sharp focus.
The recent launch of RYA Scotland’s Volunteer Development Framework also provides a perfect opportunity to reflect on the overall impact people who volunteer have on the boating community.
Our guest this episode include the Head of Volunteering for Marie Curie UK, Helen Keenan; Robyn Francis of Scottish Student Sailing and a volunteer as part of the Pioneer Project; and Liza Linton RYA Scotland’s Development Manager.
Bringing a depth of knowledge to the conversation around the motivations of volunteers, rewards and the massive impact they make all form part of the discussion that aims to help you, or your organisation reflect on your volunteering practices and ethos.
Here are some of the Links discussed below:
Volunteer Development Framework
Marie Curie UK Volunteering
sportscotland Volunteer info
Pioneer Project
Scottish Student Sailing
Finally you can stay in touch with all the latest news from RYA Scotland via our website, http://www.rya.org.uk/scotland and of course, across our social media channels @ryascotland
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The Off The Water podcast aims to provide some insights from people involved at all levels of recreational boating in Scotland.
In this episode Marc Turner catches up with new Regional Development officer for the West of Scotland, Laura Cowan. We discuss her experiences of RYA Sailability in her previous role with Prestwick Sailing Club, before hearing from Rory McKinna on his para sports journey in sailing so far.
Rory has enjoyed sailing a Hansa 303 at various locations around Scotland, the UK and Europe, enabled by his family, alongside volunteers from class associations, clubs and centres, that have all aided his passion and success within competitive sailing. He has taken on many responsibilities in raising funds and finding solutions along the way and is a keen advocate for getting sailing reinstated in the Para-Olympics, as part of the #SailToLA campaign.
Further links below:
RYA Para-Sport Hub Launch
World Sailing #SailtoLA
RYA Sailability
Prestwick Sailing Club
The Hansa Class
Scottish Disability Sport
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Marc Turner met up with Lorraine Dodge and a group of visually impaired sailors at the end of a week’s sailing on the Clyde last year and thought it a great idea to share the story of their trip and the organisation.
To find out more about this charity, ran by visually impaired sailors, we caught up with Lorraine Dodge, a trustee with VISA-GB, who, alongside volunteer skipper Steve Benn and sailors Liza Marsden from Ayr and Robert Smith from Ayr, joined us in our latest podcast.
Before we recorded the podcast Lorraine briefly told us a little about the group.
“It was Visa-GB second sailing trip In Scotland. Covid 19 had delayed our return. Around 40 members of the visually impaired sailing association we’re meeting in Largs, to spend a week sailing in the area. Visa -GB is a charity and our aim is to encourage and support blind and visually impaired people to take part in sailing.”
“We offer opportunities for racing, long and short voyages cruises abroad. Our commitment to the membership is that we will encourage and support skippers and volunteers to be at the heart of the visa -gb Sailing experience. Taking part in the activities that makes the boat run smoothly. This includes, checking engines , hauling up and taking down sails, Putting fenders in and out. navigating in and out of ports, cleaning and cooking, and generally having a lot of fun, with other people . It’s all hands on deck-when you sail with us, with Visa-gb.”
The podcast hears from those involved, how they manage the voyages and why they came to Scotland to go sailing. For us it really demonstrates the diversity and inclusion that activities afloat enable and it was so great to meet Lorraine and the sailors with VISA-GB.
If you would like to find out more about membership, volunteering and more about VISA-GB, then please go to their website at https://visa-gb.org.uk/
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Off the water is back on the airwaves as most of the team were back on the real waves over the summer. However as the longer nights set in we are excited to be able to share some of the inspiring stories from 2021.
Robyn Phillips joins Marc Turner as the host of this episode, as Robyn has probably done the most sailing this summer, from cruising, instruction, coaching and racing, both keelboats and dinghies, however she caught wind of an adventure that some of the young people at Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club (ASYC) undertook in dinghy cruising and went to find out more.
“As an instructor it’s great to see young people challenge themselves to experience new things and this story resonated with me for that reason. Personally I also have always liked a good adventure, camping and the great outdoors as well and linking this to sailing is the cherry on top for an adventure!”
This adventure was a collaboration between ASYC, Dundee SC and Perth SC; a unique Duke of Edinburgh expedition; and the chance for young people to experience the challenge of a dinghy trip up the River Tay.
Shona Coull, Sam Carroll, Daniel Clarkson, Lyall Webster and Ditta Neuman joined Robyn to look back at the expedition in conversation and what the adventure it meant to them. This success with developing junior and family membership has been a big part of what has seen Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club shortlisted for club of the year. It is clear young people matter to the club and that there are multiple pathways to allow them to participate and contribute.
Please vote in the RYA Yachts and yachting Club of the Year 2022 here.
To find out more about activities at Aberdeen and Stonehaven YC visit here.
More information can be found about the Duke of Edinburgh Award here.
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The RYA Scotland podcast catches up with sail based charity the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust who have a base in Scotland. We find out a little more about how they use sailing to help rebuild the confidence of young people in recovery from cancer along with the plans for restarting activities this summer.
Since starting activities at Largs in 2013, Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust has welcomed hundreds of young people to Largs with support from the Peoples Postcode Lottery. The impact of the trust has been immense not just for the young people, but also for the volunteer, medics and skippers.
James Hall and Scott Wilson of EMCT join Marc Turner, who has also been a skipper with the trust, to discuss what the trust does and how they have managed to build confidence in young people using the Trust trips.
To find out more about the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust visit:
https://www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/
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It is widely acknowledged that many people get involved in sailing through family participation, and this episode explores this with a quiet, unassuming family from the Isle of Arran as the Off The Water podcast catches with the Hunter family.
They are an inspiration on so many levels as they all have made a profession out of sailing, through their passion for all the activities on offer, from racing to cruising and the limitless sense of adventure it allows.
Ian and Sally have shared many nautical miles in ocean crossings and deliveries, although Sally’s involvement in the first all-female entry, Maiden, in the 1989/90 Whitbread Round The World Race was both iconic and trailblazing.
Together they had two boys who they immediately shared their love of sailing by taking them on extensive cruises around the West Coast of Scotland from the carry cot right up until their own sailing took them further afield.
Rory and Neil have carried on the family tradition on the world stage with some significant successes, both sailing together in the 29er and then in separate trajectories. Rory having won the 2019 Waspz games in Australia and Neil being called up to the UK America’s Cup teams in 2017 and 2021, to name a couple of highlights.
So we thought it would be great to get them all together and find out more about their journey as a family and the magic that has made them so successful in the sport and inspirational for any cruising family heading afloat this summer.
Here’s some more links about their past and present sailing voyages.
Hunter Yacht Deliveries:
https://hunteryachtdeliveries.com/
Sally Hunter – Anything is Possible Bio:
https://anythingispossible.world/projects/the-maiden-factor/sally-hunter/
Neil Hunter Bios:
https://www.ineosteamuk.com/en/articles/71_Meet-the-crew-Neil-Hunter.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J9rYaMJ8uo
Rory’s next adventure:
https://yachtracing.life/the-ocean-race-akzonobel-ocean-racing-announces-sailing-team-for-europe-race/
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In this episode of the Off The Water podcast we dive into equality, diversity and inclusion.
This is a clearly a huge area and can be perceived in many ways by different groups and individuals. To provide some insights we asked two new members of the RYA Scotland team to hold a discussion on the topic to bring out some key themes for them around the perception of our sport and to share their experiences and realities of the topic.
Georgia Moran has just joined as the Regional Development Officer for the East after a number of years working with Scottish Student Sport, while Robyn Phillips takes on the new role of Training Development Officer after working with Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust. They both share a passion for equality and inclusion within sport, bringing experiences on gender equality, LGBT, accessibility and aspects of financial inequality in projects they have been involved in.
Hosts Nikki Stewart and Liza Linton help set some context during a time of International Women’s Day and the launch of the RYA Strategy of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion which aims to create more opportunities for all to get on the water.
To provide wider context sportscotland conducted research in March 2020 around Equality and sport and is available below:
https://sportscotland.org.uk/about-us/our-publications/archive/equality-and-sport-research-2020/
The RYA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2030:
https://www.rya.org.uk/about-us/rya-policies/equality/Pages/RYA-Equality-Diversity-and-Inclusion-Strategy.aspx
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The 12th episode of Off The Water explores the environment which we enjoy our activities within. As both a global and local issue it can be perceived as overwhelming and certainly has many aspects to understand where we can help reduce our impact on it and maintain it for future generations.
Certainly it takes a positive collective attitude and many small steps to reach the net zero goal set out by world leaders, but what can we do in the boating community?
Hosts Robin Nicol and Marc Turner open up the discussion with three inspirational people who serve up several examples of good practice and highlight resources and support that can help on this journey.
Angie Fraser joins us from Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust, an RYA affiliate that has implemented a number of efficiencies on a road to net zero, taking the little steps that they can do themselves and for clubs in the region. Kate Fortnam, is the campaign manager for The Green Blue, an initiative between British Marine and the RYA to help the boating community reduce their impact on coastal and inland waters. Barry Fisher is the CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful the charity for Scotland’s environment, who also has a keen interest in sailing having been General Manager for the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland.
The discussion touches on some useful sources of funding and support including:
The Green Blue provides resources for individuals, facilities and businesses: https://thegreenblue.org.uk/resources/
The Climate Challenge Fund : https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccf
Community resources from Keep Scotland Beautiful: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/community-and-place/clean-up-scotland/handy-resources/
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations : https://fundingscotland.com/
Foundation Scotland : https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/
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Off The Water is back for 2021 with a new season of conversations which affect the boating community in Scotland.
Hosts Nikki Stewart and Jack Mitchell share an interview which gets to heart of why we volunteer and about the ethos and culture of our volunteers. RYA Scotland are fortunate as we have a volunteer run board with one person in particular who works in the voluntary sector and has agreed to share their experiences of volunteering.
Helen Keenan, is head of Volunteering for Marie Curie UK and she brings unique insights from her career in volunteer management. Helen joined RYA Scotland as a Non Executive Director for Volunteering in 2019, providing a voice on the board with genuine expertise in this area that is fundamental for our sport and activities. While the only boat she has been on is a ferry, her perspective is challenging and very welcome as we move through big challenges for the voluntary sector.
This pod is aimed at raising the conversation on volunteering to support clubs and organisations looking for advice and in showcasing the endless impact volunteering has on our community and the people involved. The hosts have both been volunteers and it has developed them as people and provided an opportunity for their learning. We hear about the culture behind volunteering, why do we do it and investigate the changes in society related to volunteering and hopefully leave our listeners with some tips and tools to try.
RYA Scotland has been developing a Volunteer Development Framework to assist volunteer led clubs and organisations to create a more sustainable approach to volunteering. It also highlights to volunteers that their actions are as important as the boating we all enjoy. The framework is in the final stages and will be available in the coming months as a practical tool that helps shape the questions you should be asking when it comes to volunteering.
The RYA tackle the reoccurring challenge and issue for clubs, particularly with regards to supporting membership growth - not enough volunteers! The insights suggests 52% of RYA Affiliated organisations report lack of volunteers as being a primary challenge to their growth and many reporting a small number of volunteers doing the bulk of the work. Hear about the findings of the research and also some experiences of clubs who have managed to successfully increase the number of volunteers below.
https://www.rya.org.uk/programmes/Pages/future-webinars.aspx#4
RYA Scotland offer a range of volunteer opportunities below.
https://www.rya.org.uk/scotland/about-us/Pages/volunteers.aspx
sportscotland also offer workshops on volunteering available below.
https://sportscotland.org.uk/coaching/cpd-and-training/volunteer-management/
Finally you can stay in touch with all the latest news from RYA Scotland via our website, http://www.rya.org.uk/scotland and of course, across our social media channels @ryascotland
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In Off The Water this month our hosts Nikki Stewart and Jack Mitchell gain some real insights into the value of Outdoor Education Residential Centres as they have become under serious threat during restrictions brought in to combat Covid-19.
With sailing and boating being introduced to thousands each year through these centres we catch up with three voices within this sector and hear about some of their experience of the benefits these centres provide.
Jane Campbell Morrison, the chair of the Scottish Adventure Activity Forum has brought together many organisations to back the #SaveYourOutdoorCentres campaign and joins Liam Watson a RYA Senior Instructor with the Scouts Association at Lochgoilhead. We are also joined by our Youth Board member Jordan McNeilage, who has been the RYA Principal at Loch Insh Watersports Centre, near Aviemore.
The opportunities available to experience the outdoors for Scotland’s young people are extremely important and the current campaign has really captivated generations of people from all walks of life who have benefits from understanding outdoor learning.
Our regional development officer Jack Mitchell and Coach Education Development Manager Nikki Stewart explore the topic asking:
Why are outdoors centres so important?
What do they offer children that other things such as clubs and schools don’t?
What is so important about the residential element of what these centres can offer?
Do you think lockdown has reminded or educated more people of the benefits of being outdoors especially with their children?
How do we see outdoor education centres adapting in the future?
Are there any new opportunities emerging for them to help make them sustainable and protect their future?
During recording we received news of a package of support from the Scottish Government which is warmly welcome, however we recognise that much is still to be done to maximise the exposure for what this sector does for young people and in introducing so many to our sport.
Find out more about the campaign through #SaveYourOutdoorCentres
Finally you can stay in touch with all the latest news from RYA Scotland via our website, www.rya.org.uk/scotland and of course, across our social media channels @ryascotland
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Robin Nicol and Marc Turner take over the Off The Water podcast this month, with a fantastic insight into the journey of a windsurfing family from Loch Insh who have followed a performance pathway to international success.
Islay Watson (19) recently won silver at the first IQ Foiling European Championships in Switzerland is joined by her mother Kim as the share their journey into windsurfing, the challenges and explain what it is like to race the newest Olympic class of foiling windsurfers at International level. It's an epic for sure.
To find out more about windsurfing and Team 15 or find your nearest Club visit here.
We want to find out your views on the RYA Scotland podcasts, with a chance to win a 30 litre Overboard Dry Bag. Take 2 minutes and share your thoughts here.
RYA Scotland aims to promote and protect safe and successful recreational boating, ensuring the freedom of navigation and rights of boaters are looked after. To find out more about joining the RYA visit here.
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Sailing and Cruising is the focus for this episode of Off The Water. Scotland has many and varied cruising areas and since the 10th of July many participants have been able to get afloat and enjoy some time exploring and enjoy our waters, by sail or motor.
Hosts Jack Mitchell and Nikki Stewart are joined by producer Marc Turner, who is also a RYA Cruising Instructor to talk all things cruising and sailing, with conversations with three enthusiastic sailors, who have made it afloat this season.
They include a relative newcomer, Katie McCorkindale from Dunoon whose first experience sailing was the Round Mull Race and has since really enjoyed getting out and exploring our islands. To Mark Maylin from Aberdour in Fife who has taken his family many miles on their 29 foot yacht Hilarity on teh North Sea and beyond.
Finally we are joined by Christopher Cardwell of Sailing and Cruising Northern Ireland, who not only enjoys the activity but has built up a successful online community around the activities.
We have an update on guidance aimed at reducing the spread of Covid 19 as the Scottish Government add contact outdoor sports and the indoor facility use, which allows for an expansion to boating activities. For further information on all the latest guidance on returning to boating advice visit here.
To find out more about RYA Training courses or find your nearest Club visit here.
We want to find out your views on the RYA Scotland podcasts, with a chance to win a 30 litre Overboard Dry Bag. Take 2 minutes and share your thoughts here.
RYA Scotland aims to promote and protect safe and successful recreational boating, ensuring the freedom of navigation and rights of boaters are looked after. To find out more about joining the RYA visit here.
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In the second part the Off The Water team touches base with the volunteer led clubs and the challenges they have encountered to engage members. As restrictions eased the clubs have had to implement measures as they return to activity and adapt to a new normal, each with their own distinct set of circumstances.
Regional Development Officers Jack Mitchell and Robin Nicol meet with Lorna Drummond from St Andrew’s Sailing Club, Joe Swierczek of Cumbernauld Sailing Club and Neil Beveridge from Prestwick Sailing Club to hear their stories and how they are managing the changes and adhering to the guidance.
Sailing clubs have traditionally delivered a range of activities from training to racing alongside a strong social programme that connects people in the community around the sport. With multiple layers of activity, the guests talk around the challenges they faced and what has helped them to get back on the water.
For further information on all the latest guidance on returning to boating advice visit here.
To find out more about RYA Training courses or find your nearest Club visit here.
We want to find out your views on the RYA Scotland podcasts, with a chance to win a 30 litre Overboard Dry Bag. Take 2 minutes and share your thoughts here.
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In the next two episodes of Off The Water we look at how the easing of restrictions is allowing more activity on the water has affected clubs and training centres in Scotland. In the first part our hosts Nikki Stewart and Jack Mitchell discuss the current updates to guidance and catch up with training centres beginning to enable activity.
Recognised Training Centres (RTCs) provide RYA Training in a safe environment with successful learning experiences available across a range of water-based activities.
Nikki Stewart, RYA Scotland’s Coach Development Manager is in conversation with Sami Poole of Port Edgar Watersports; Fiona Andrews of Tighnabruaich Sailing School and Richard Hermon of Galloway Activity Centre providing some insights into the challenges the centres face now as they begin their return to training.
Commercially, like many other businesses, the centres have been adversely affected by lock down, in what is a limited season. Together they reflect and come to terms with the changes they must make to enable their students and customers to get afloat safely again, with some positives going forwards.
For further information on all the latest guidance on returning to boating advice visit here.
To find out more about RYA Training courses or find your nearest RTC visit here.
Thank you to Tighnabruich Sailing School; Galloway Activity Centre and Port Edgar Watersports for sharing their stories.
Details for the Scottish Club Trophy are available here.
A full list of the team contacts is here, so please do get in touch as we welcome your comments and feedback and hope you can take a minute to complete a short survey on the podcast https://bit.ly/3j1n7YK
Finally you can stay in touch with all the latest news via our website, www.rya.org.uk/scotland and of course, across our social media channels @ryascotland
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Our hosts Nikki Stewart and Jack Mitchell are joined by colleagues Robin Nicol and Claire Caffrey in Episode 5 in a series of discussions around women in sport and catching up on the latest successes in eSailing alongside the updates as restrictions around activity ease in Scotland.
Claire and Robin follow up on the key themes of how sport can change lives with an interview with Eilidh Gibson, a Scottish Slalom Canoeist whose project 'Slalom Inspires' aiming to inspire and empower girls into the incredible sport of canoe slalom. As our own Pioneer Project shares similar aims we look at how we can break down some of the barriers for women in our sport. (04.15-33.00)
In our second interview Jack and Robin catch up with Adam McGovern and Jack Fenwick, the RYA team behind the rise of eSailing during lockdown and how this has been the most accessible way to take part in our sport. We also find out if Scotland really are the leading nation in the World for inshore virtual racing, well we do keep winning! (33.49-48.00)
Finally as travel restrictions and overnight accommodation on boats is permitted from today we hope you can listen wherever you and be inspired.
Full guidance for general boating activity is now available here.
We have added time codes so you can dip into either interview on the topic.
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In Episode 4 of Off The Water we explore the benefits that our activities have on our Mental Health.
Our presenters Nikki Stewart and Jack Mitchell conduct two deeply insightful conversations around mental health in relation to boating and getting afloat in Scotland. They are joined by Robert Nesbitt, Head of physical activity and sport at the Scottish Association of Mental health ( SAMH ) and Pamela Dewar, the Changing Lives lead for sportscotland.
Robert Nesbitt sets the scene as SAMH proactively promoted resources and raised awareness of mental health during lockdown, linking positive mental health with physical activity. He shares top tips around looking after ourselves when we are unable to get afloat and identifies why our activities can help. (4.10 – 24.00)
Find out more about SAMH's resources below:
https://www.samh.org.uk/about-mental-health/self-help-and-wellbeing/coronavirus-information-hub
Both Jack Mitchell and Robin Nicol, our regional development officers are part of sportscotland’s Changing Lives champion programme which looks at the power sport has in both changing individual lives but also that of communities where it takes place. Pamela Dewar joins Robin and Jack to discuss how the benefits reach much deeper that results alone and explore the why we do what we do. (24.30-53.00)
Find out more about sportscotland's changing lives programme below:
https://sportscotland.org.uk/clubs/changing-lives-through-sport-and-physical-activity/what-is-changing-lives/
Finally we caught up with Alistair Ireland and talk Virtual Regatta as he helps the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club become the UK’s VR Club Champion and look at how this online sailing game has helped connect our community during lock down. (53.30 -58.00)
Given that the subject is so important we dedicated quite a bit of time this week and have added time codes so you can dip into either interview on the topic.
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