Please select your home edition
Edition
Mackay Boats 728x90 TOP

University students set compass for sustainability

by Emma Cotton 31 Aug 2021 11:10 PDT
Uni Challenge Award Ceremony 2019 © RYA

And they're off! The Green Blue's annual University Sailing Sustainability Challenge (USSC) has today been launched. Now in its sixth year, the Challenge has university sailing clubs (USC) from across each corner of the UK signed-up to take on this year's green sailing actions.

Last year's competition, which was adapted to meet Covid restrictions, saw 10 USCs successfully complete the sustainability actions in their tier.

The clubs move through a three-tier award system: Bronze, Silver and then eventually to Gold. Each tier has a different set of actions for the club to achieve, which range from raising awareness of The Green Blue's key campaign issues, eliminating single use plastics from training and events, to undertaking an environmental assessment of the club's sailing venue.

This year's Challenge has been sponsored for a second time by sustainable clothing brand, Ocean?, and supported by British University Sailing Association (BUSA) for a sixth year.

Each award-winning USC will be entered into a cash prize draw from Ocean? of £1000, which will be split across each award level. The winners of the cash prize draw will be picked at random in February at the RYA Dinghy Show in Farnborough International Exhibition Centre.

Each successful team will receive discounts on Ocean?'s sustainable team wear made from recycled plastic waste. In addition, the Sustainability Officer for each award-winning club will be given a £50 Ocean? voucher in recognition for leading their club to success in the Challenge.

Olivia Wells, RYA Sustainability Officer and Challenge Coordinator, said: "It's fantastic to already see the enthusiasm from the universities that have signed up to The Green Blue's Challenge and are excited to begin making progress at their sailing club. We're really looking forward to harnessing that enthusiasm and seeing how the students progress with the sustainable actions."

Commenting on last year's Challenge, Sustainability Officer for Portsmouth University Sailing Club, Hebe, said: "We entered the University Sustainability Challenge, after achieving Silver last year, our aim was to reach Gold! Despite the changing circumstances, the Challenge adjusted the criteria accordingly meaning we could still strive to be more sustainable. Not only have we made changes as a club which we will continue to implement, but it allowed us to identify areas in our individual lives where we can be more sustainable. I would definitely encourage all other University Sailing Clubs to get involved!"

Are you part of a USC? It isn't too late to sign-up your club up to take part, simply visit The Green Blue website to find out more or email: .

Don't forget, you can follow the progress of this year's participating clubs on social media by following: #GreenBlueUniChallenge and @TheGreenBlue on Facebook and Twitter and @The_Green_Blue on Instagram.

Related Articles

PredictWind launches PredictRain
New app From PredictWind delivers hyper-accurate, short-term rain predictions PredictRain is a groundbreaking standalone app that combines advanced AI modelling with intuitive tools to provide timely and precise rain forecasts for all types of outdoor activities. Posted today at 4:51 am
49er & 49erFX Junior Worlds champions crowned
One final race before the storm kicked in at Øresund The final day of the 2025 Junior World Championship delivered high drama and even higher waves. As wind and rain swept across the Øresund, Race Committees managed to run one final race before safety concerns forced an early end to the competition. Posted today at 4:43 am
Admiral's Cup: Emotional, Rare, Unforgettable
The 2025 Admirals' Cup set the stage for a bold new era in offshore racing Once the pinnacle of international offshore sailing, the return of the Admiral's Cup was a resounding success, setting the stage for a bold new era in offshire racing. Posted on 4 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto Day 2
The breeze never quite showed up but the action didn't stop Day two of the Porto World Championships began with hope—and strategy. With light winds in the forecast, the race committee scheduled an early start in anticipation of a short sea breeze window. Posted on 4 Aug
RS Aero World & Youth Worlds overall
The fine Brittany weather and afternoon sea breezes have provided excellent racing The stage was set for a dramatic final day showdown in Quiberon Bay, France, to decide the titles for the 7th RS Aero Worlds and 4th Youth Worlds. Posted on 4 Aug
RS Feva Worlds at Aix-les-Bains, France Overall
Crowning of our 2025 World Champions As our World Championships drew to a thrilling close on Friday afternoon, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation! Sailors and families were buzzing with excitement as they prepared for their journey home. Posted on 4 Aug
ClubSwan 28 American Series launched
US-based regatta series unites high-performance design with competitive racing. Nautor Swan today announces the launch of the ClubSwan 28 American Series in collaboration with Terry Hutchinson and American Magic, a new high-performance racing circuit designed to ignite competitive sailing in the U.S. Posted on 4 Aug
Just another event?
Is Cowes Week still a pinnacle regatta? We've been blessed with incredible sailing so far this summer in the UK (for once) with great breeze much of the time, and some of the best events in the world gracing our shores. But, like with Storm Floris, there are clouds on the horizon... Posted on 4 Aug
Safe Harbor Race Weekend starts Friday
Exciting racing, unforgettable shoreside festivities on tap Ever growing in popularity and caliber, the three-day Safe Harbor Race Weekend will host an impressive fleet of 73 boats on August 8 when it begins its fifth annual edition in Newport, R.I. Posted on 4 Aug
Tenerife Windsurf Grand Slam Day 3
Pierre Mortefon draws first blood after the wind fills in late After a couple of days of waiting for the wind, Day 3 eventually provided the goods to end the wait for some official competition as the Slalom X got under way during the early evening in 15-18 knots of wind. Posted on 4 Aug
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastRooster 2025Switch One Design