Please select your home edition
Edition
C-Tech 2020 Battens 2 728x90 TOP

Sustainable university sailing clubs congratulated at RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show

by Emma Cotton 26 Feb 2022 12:00 PST
TGB University Awards © Paul Wyeth

Finalists of The Green Blue University Sailing Sustainability Challenge receive a triumphant welcome at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show.

The sixteen successful finalists of The Green Blue University Sailing Sustainability Challenge were welcomed onto the Suzuki Main Stage at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show this weekend for the Challenge's award ceremony and prize draw.

The annual challenge, sponsored by eco clothing brand OceanЯ, motivates university sailing clubs to become more aware of sailing's environmental impact by working through a list of actions encouraging sustainable behaviours. Each of the actions alter depending on which level the club is currently working towards i.e. Bronze, Silver or Gold, and can range from holding waterside litter picks, to installing oil spill kits at their club house.

Now in its seventh year, the Challenge is also supported by the British University Sailing Association (BUSA) who encourage students to look at the wider impact of the sport. Hebe Hemming, Vice Chair at BUSA, said: "The ocean is our playground and therefore it is vital that we work to create a sustainable sport. Sport as a whole is an enormous part of millions of people's lives, and it makes sense to use our shared passions to create a platform to initiate change and become more sustainable.

"At universities, sports communities are large, and excitingly, sustainability in sport is just starting to be addressed. It is great to be able to take part in a challenge that brings our clubs ahead of the curve."

Representatives from each of the universities joined The Green Blue's Campaign Manager, Kate Fortnam, on stage for the awards ceremony and prize draw. The successful clubs were entered into a cash prize draw of £1000, sponsored by OceanЯ. £250 was won by the University of Southampton & Wessex Sailing Club in the Bronze category, £350 in the Silver category was won by Bangor University Sailing Club, and £450 was won by Bournemouth University Sailing Club in the Gold category.

Commenting on the Challenge, Kate said: "We have been thrilled by not only the quantity of entries from university sailing clubs this year, but also the quality of their sustainable actions. Despite some on-going Covid restrictions that have affected club activities at times the students have still achieved many of their planned actions. More than ever before, young people are informed and aware of environmental impacts and that is clearly visible in their proactive attitude towards the Challenge.

"We would also like to say a very warm thank you to the Challenge's sponsors, OceanЯ, for their on-going support of helping us to recognise university sailing clubs taking action for a more sustainable future."

Commenting on the sponsorship, Tom Cotter, CEO at OceanЯ, said: "As a team we are really proud to support The Green Blue University Sailing Sustainability Challenge once again. It's inspiring to see so many university sailing clubs take proactive action and demonstrate their commitment to sustainable sailing and environmental best practices. Especially in a post-Covid world - it sets a precedence for younger generations, peers and local communities to follow suit.

"We want to acknowledge and reward the efforts of the students and we are delighted to be able to supply our sustainably made clothing and accessories as prizes. Many of our garments are made from recycled polyester, much of which originates from the sea and landfill. You can feel good in your OceanЯ clothing after doing good for our oceans."

If you are a student that would like to nominate your university to take part in next year's challenge, or a member of a club interested in learning how you can make your club's activities more sustainable, visit The Green Blue website: www.thegreenblue.org.uk

The RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show continues tomorrow (27 February) tickets are still available to purchase in advance from the RYA website.

Related Articles

WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history. Posted today at 7:23 am
20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 10 Jul
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around. Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing. Posted on 10 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 5
Finalists locked in for new Medal Series format With the sea breeze stubbornly refusing to make an appearance, Day 5 of the iQFOiL World Championship turned into a long waiting game both ashore and on the water. Posted on 10 Jul
Jazz Turner Video Interview
How she Faced Everything And Rose during Project FEAR I travelled to Brighton Marina to catch up with Jazz, talking about her own sailing, the challenges she faced during the circumnavigation, how the money raised will be used, and a glimpse of her future projects! Posted on 10 Jul
CYCS SailMV's Vineyard Cup Preview
The regatta will feature stunning classics racing around the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard. The second Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS) event of the 2025 season gets under way on Friday, July 11 with the Vineyard Cup organized by Sail Martha's Vineyard (SailMV). Posted on 10 Jul
America's Cup: Luna Rossa to sail for Naples club.
Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest the next America's Cup as the team of a Naples club. Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, as club that is new to the America's Cup. Posted on 10 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 3
Big breeze in the morning, calm in the afternoon The third day of racing at the 2025 Moth World Championship kicked off early, with the first warning signal for the Blue fleet scheduled for 8:30 AM. Due to strong northerly winds, however, the fleet's departure was postponed to 9:00. Posted on 10 Jul
Introducing the Micro Gateway from Cyclops Marine
Live load data, simplified - smaller, smarter, even more connected At Cyclops Marine, we're driven by the pursuit of precision, performance, and progress. As the marine industry continues to embrace digital transformation, our technology is evolving rapidly. Posted on 10 Jul
C-Tech 2021 America's Cup 728x90 BOTTOMLloyd Stevenson - AC Alinghi 1456x180px BOTTOMRooster 2025