RYA Scotland facilities strategy progressing

Montrose Sailing Club © Montrose Sailing Club

RYA Scotland has now completed the first major step of the facilities strategy which saw clubs and club members complete a survey and give their responses to a number of questions such as; what facilities are available to clubs, centres and marinas? The survey helped RYA Scotland to establish what facilities are available to dinghy sailors, keelboaters and windsurfers in Scotland. Currently there is very little information available on this topic and this is where the facilities strategy hopes to help make a change.

This research, which has responses from over 70 clubs, 10 marinas and 10 sailing schools, is proving very valuable to RYA Scotland and has raised many questions which will be discussed within various committees. In addition, several visits to clubs all around Scotland have proven useful in understanding the different problems that are being experienced and also some of the solutions found by clubs, giving a depth of information that the survey couldn't provide. This information will now help to build a number of case studies for different facility scenarios that are experienced by clubs, centres and marinas so that in the future there is more information available when tackling similar issues and applying for funding.

With over 350 club members responding to the survey, RYA Scotland had been able to establish what club members want from their clubs and what they want for the future. RYA Scotland will be reviewing the provision of sailing facilities that of the sailing development groups has and then will be identifying what each group needs over the next 8-12 years.

As part of the survey there was a prize draw with a Gill jacket up for grabs for club members and also for a VHF radio to be won by a sailing club. The lucky winner of the Gill Jacket was Michael Lidwell of Cove Sailing Club on the west coast of Scotland. He has been hard at work at raising money for the club to buy two RS Feva Dinghies and this jacket will help keep him warm on the fundraising trail and on the water. The VHF Radio went to Montrose Sailing Club after club secretary Douglas Craig responded to the online survey. When asked about winning the radio Douglas has the following to say:

"The prize of this radio is perfectly timed as the club is currently finalising a new novices' training programme. The extra radio will make it easier to provide safety for our members." His help along with every other club, training centre and marina across Scotland who also responded, will help create the facilities strategy for the future and secure their clubs consideration in future funding decisions.

If you would like any further information, please contact Chris Towers, the RYA Scotland Facilities Researcher at or phone the RYA Scotland office on 0131 317 7388. You can also get more information on the RYA Scotland website in the 'info & advice' section: www.ryascotland.org.uk

This project is jointly funded by RYA Scotland, sportscotland and the Scottish Coastal Forum and our thanks to them for their continued support.