Marlow Ropes Award for Phipps and Boniface

Written by RYA | 11 March 2016

Nacra 17 sailors Phipps and Boniface awarded £2500 of Marlow rope

Falmouth’s Tom Phipps and Eastbourne’s Nicola Boniface are the latest members of the British Sailing Team’s Podium Potential squad to be awarded the Marlow Ropes Award following their tenth place finish at the Nacra 17 World Championships in Clearwater, Florida in February.

The Marlow Ropes Award was introduced in 2002 with the aim of rewarding Britain’s most promising young sailors for their determination, focus and talent. Phipps and Boniface will have £2500 to spend at Marlow Ropes over the next year.

This is the duo’s first top ten finish at a Nacra 17 World Championships, having finished 24th at the 2015 edition. Since teaming up last year the pair have gone from strength to strength including an 11th place at the European Championships in September.

Phipps was at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show to accept the award: “Thank you very much to Marlow Ropes for the award. This will directly go towards what Nikki and I are trying to do and will make a difference.

“For us on the Nacra we seem to go through rope like nothing else so to be able to have a great supply of rope from Marlow, which is top quality stuff, will help us hugely on the water.”

Phipps and Boniface are currently in Palma training for their next event, said Phipps: “The next regatta for us is the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma at the end of the month and we want to start using the ropes straight away.”

Their first purchase will be for Boniface explained Phipps: “Nikki is always asking for a new mainsheet so that is probably first on the list, but what is really important to us is minimal stretch, on ropes like the spinnaker halyard because we want that to be as firm and as solid as possible.”

Milly Stone, Marketing Executive, Marlow Ropes said: “The Marlow Ropes Award was designed to try and help the up and coming sailors, giving them all the equipment they need to move forward with their sailing career.

“In all the years that we have run the Marlow Ropes Award we have always received great feedback from the sailors and worked with them extensively on new products for each Olympic cycle which is invaluable. It is hugely important for us to work with the British Sailing Team, not only to help our British team but also because we find that working with them is vital as the feedback we receive is influential in developing and improving our products at Marlow.”

As well as supporting up-and-coming sailors, Marlow Ropes are also the official supplier to the British Sailing Team thanks to its industry-renowned reputation for producing products tried, tested and trusted in the world’s harshest environments.

via Marlow Ropes Award for Phipps and Boniface | Home | News | The British Sailing Team | RYA.

Five sailors added to Team GB for Rio 2016

Written by RYA | 08 March 2016

Windsurfer Nick Dempsey makes his fifth Olympics, with first-time call-ups for Saxton-Groves and Dobson-Ainsworth

With 150 days to go to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the British Olympic Association (BOA) can today announce five additional sailors from three classes selected to compete for Team GB this summer.

Nick Dempsey is set to become a five-time Olympian in Rio after the London 2012 silver medallist and Athens 2004 bronze medallist was selected for the RS:X Men’s windsurfing class. If the double World Champion wins gold in Rio, he will become the most successful men’s Olympic windsurfer in history.

Charlotte Dobson and Sophie Ainsworth, who finished fifth at the 2015 World Championships, will make their Olympic debuts in the 49erFX – a new event for Rio – with 2015 European Champions Ben Saxton and Nicola Groves following suit in the Nacra 17 mixed multihull event, which also sees its first Olympic Games outing this year.

The five sailors join those initially selected in September. However, from those selected in September, the BOA, in conjunction with the Royal Yachting Association, has made the difficult decision to deselect the 470 Men’s pairing of Luke Patience and Elliot Willis. Due to Elliot’s ongoing treatment for bowel cancer, as a two person crew, they are unfortunately unable to follow the combined training programme required to maximise their chances of success in Rio.

Selection trials in the 470 Men’s event will therefore continue, with the trials in the 49er class also ongoing.

Team GB’s sailing squad for Rio 2016:

Giles Scott: Finn

Nick Thompson: Laser

Alison Young: Laser Radial

Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark: 470 Women

Charlotte Dobson and Sophie Ainsworth: 49erFX

Ben Saxton and Nicola Groves: Nacra 17

Bryony Shaw: RS:X Women

Nick Dempsey: RS:X Men

British sailors have established a proud tradition of excellence in Olympic competition, having won 55 medals – including 26 golds – since sailing made its debut at Paris 1900 with Team GB topping the overall Olympic sailing medal table.

Today’s selection takes Team GB total athlete delegation to 21 from three sports; sailing (11 athletes), shooting (six) and canoe slalom (four).

Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England said:

“It’s great to welcome five new athletes to Team GB and see our number of selected sailors grow further.

“Rio 2016 will be a special occasion for each of these sailors, with four experiencing an Olympic Games for the very first time while Nick Dempsey will be joining a select group of athletes who have achieved the accolade of competing for Team GB at five consecutive Olympic Games.

“While it’s a great day for them, it’s hugely disappointing for both Luke and Elliot, and everyone at the BOA wishes Elliot the very best in his recovery.”

Stephen Park OBE, RYA Olympic Manager and Team GB Sailing Team Leader said:

“It’s fantastic to be naming some new first time Olympians to be joining the team already selected, and fantastic that Nick Dempsey will have the opportunity to try and complete his medal set at his fifth Olympic Games.

“The circumstances surrounding the deselection of Luke and Elliot are obviously disappointing for everyone. However, as a team we knew we would be set a number of challenges in this journey to Rio 2016 and this is just one we have to deal with along the road. Hopefully this doesn’t mark the end of Elliot’s Olympic journey and we look forward to seeing him back in the boat soon.”

Nick Dempsey, 35, from Norwich and now lives in Weymouth said:

“It’s pretty special. I have been doing this for a long time and I just feel incredibly proud and very lucky to represent my country again at my fifth Olympic Games. I never thought I would make it this far and so am very honoured. It feels like quite an achievement, not a lot does but this does.

“I do this because I want to win an Olympic gold medal for myself and I want to achieve what I know I can achieve and that is to win so I’m going to give it a go, stick at it and hopefully do what I know I can do.”

Charlotte Dobson, 29, born in Glasgow and now lives in Weymouth said:

“It’s absolutely incredible, it has been a long time coming. I have done two cycles as the bridesmaid in a boat on my own, and this time it’s so amazing to be the bride eventually. It’s just really cool to have done it with Soph in a team, it almost makes it feel a little bit more special being able to share it with somebody.

“You see how once people are selected they slightly change almost and I think when I woke up this morning it didn’t feel so much of a personal challenge any more. It’s a personal ambition to win a gold medal but it is more of an honour, a lot of people are behind you in the British Team and it’s for Queen and country. It feels like a lot of responsibility, for all the people that haven’t been selected and people have got selected in the past, to make them proud.”

via Five sailors added to Team GB for Rio 2016 | Home | News | The British Sailing Team | RYA.

A race to The Hague DownloadVictor Fraile / Volvo Ocean Race Download DownloadRicardo Pinto / Volvo Ocean RaceThe Hague, scene of an enormously successful pit-stop last year, has been chosen to host the finale of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 (full story below).- Dutch port chosen to host climax to 13th edition- Gothenburg will set up crucial last leg- ‘My crowning moment’ says Dutchman TouberTHE HAGUE, Netherlands, March 23 – The Hague, scene of an enormously successful pit-stop last year, has been chosen to host the finale of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18.The Dutch stopover will be preceded by a midsummer stopover in Volvo’s home city of Gothenburg, setting up the crucial last leg to the Netherlands in June 2018.The race’s outgoing Dutch COO, Tom Touber, announced the climax to the 13th edition in Scheveningen harbour at a press conference in The Hague on Wednesday.“Today is a great day for sailing in general, but even more so for the Netherlands. It’s wonderful that the finale of the 2017-18 race will be staged in a city so close to my heart, with such a rich heritage of ocean racing,” he said.“The Hague has certainly earned this honour: the pit-stop in the previous race last June was one of the highlights of the entire event, with huge numbers of fans attending, plus great media and a long list of VIP guests.“I am bowing out shortly to pursue some exciting new challenges after nearly five and a half years, but this feels like the crowning moment of my time working for the Volvo Ocean Race organisation. I can’t wait for a truly great spectacle in Scheveningen. It will be the party of a lifetime.”Touber headed the winning ABN AMRO (2005-06) campaign and also Delta Lloyd (2008-09), which were both launched from the Netherlands.During the last edition of the ocean race in 2015, The Hague was a host port for the first time. This was celebrated with a three-day festival. Around 150,000 people came to see the boats and the stage performances of many well-known artists.The city’s Deputy Mayor and Alderman for Economic Affairs and Harbours, Karsten Klein, added: “Scheveningen harbour is an ideal spot for sailing professionals from all over the world. Something we were able to clearly demonstrate with last year’s pit-stop.“We also have a great deal of experience of organising major events, such as the Hockey World Cup and the Beach Volleyball World Cup, But the finish of the Volvo Ocean Race really is a major accolade for our city. It is the biggest sports event that we have ever organised in The Hague.”Gothenburg city officials were equally delighted with their key spot in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 schedule, with the stopover likely to be several days longer than in June 2015 depending on arrival times.City Mayor, Ann-Sofie Hermansson, said: “In Gothenburg, we are proud to be the sailing capital of the Nordic countries and to be Volvo’s home town. Therefore it is very exciting to welcome the yachts in the Volvo Ocean Race back. All visitors to the Free Port will see an area that is evolving and changing very much.”CEO of Göteborg &CO, Camilla Nyman, added: “By being a stop, it becomes a more spectacular sailing event with both an arrival and a departure this time to excite local fans.”Gothenburg will be hosting the race for the fourth time, from June 14–24, 2018, having staged stopovers in 2002, 2006 and 2015.“Gothenburg, Volvo’s home town, is one of the most important ports in the event’s history and a highly regarded member of the Volvo Ocean Race family,” said Antonio Lopez Bolanos, acting CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race.“The city did a fantastic job in 2015 to host the finale of the 12th edition when hundreds of thousands of fans visited Gothenburg Race Village. We are really looking forward to arriving back in Sweden in June 2018 for the final exciting chapter of our competition.”The 13th edition of the world’s toughest offshore race will begin in Autumn 2017. Alicante, Spain, the race’s headquarters since 2010, will be the departure port.Further port confirmations will be made in the forthcoming months with Newport, Rhode Island and Cardiff already announced.

via A race to The Hague| Volvo Ocean Race.

Gipsy Moth IV at Jersey Boat Show

11 Mar 2016

Visitors will experience what life was like for sailors half a century ago

JERSEY BOAT SHOW: The yacht in which Sir Francis Chichester sailed around the global in 1966 will make an appearance at the 2016 Barclays Jersey Boat Show.

Restored by the UK Sailing Academy in 2015, Gipsy Moth IV is now privately owned and run by a charitable trust.

“We are proud to welcome Gipsy Moth IV to our island waters during its special anniversary year and delighted that her visit has been arranged to coincide with this year’s boat show,” said Myra Shacklady on behalf of Ports of Jersey, organisers of the show.

She added: “By allowing visitors to step on board I have no doubt she will be one of our star attractions.”

This year is the 50th anniversary of Sir Francis Chichester’s journey which holds the record for the fastest round the world voyage by a small vessel, the longest single-handed passage and the longest non-stop passage by a small vessel.

Gipsy Moth IV will appear at a number of maritime events throughout Europe this year to commemorate its anniversary.

At the Jersey Boat Show, visitors will have the opportunity to go on board and experience what life was like for sailors 50-years ago.

The vessel will be available for private charter and there will also be crewing opportunities.

Taking place in and around St Helier Marina and Weighbridge Place, the Barclays Jersey Boat Show is from Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May.

via Boating Business | Gipsy Moth IV at Jersey Boat Show.

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ORACLE TEAM USA in capsize drama

14 Mar 2016

ORACLE TEAM USA

KEEL OVER: ORACLE TEAM USA has become the first America’s Cup team to capsize during training in Bermuda. The incident happened on March 2 following a crew rotation.

Helmsman Tom Slingsby explained how, despite this being a best-case scenario with no injuries, it was still a traumatic experience.

“The boys had been sailing for a while, probably about 18-20 knots of breeze,” he said.

“We’d just done the crew swap, I’d just jumped on the boat. We went into a bear-away, all good, we went through a full foiling gybe. But as I was crossing, I saw we were getting too much heel on the boat,” continued Slingsby.

“When you capsize, it’s all on the skipper. The first thing I thought when I got washed off the boat was to get back on the boat because I need to be running the show for the recovery and to make sure everyone is safe,” he added.

In this case, the full crew was quickly accounted for, the boat was righted in less than five minutes, and was able to sail back to base under its own power.

via Boating Business | ORACLE TEAM USA in capsize drama.

Team SCA in 100,000 pieces? That’s childplay

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Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

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Ainhoa Sanchez / Volvo Ocean Race

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Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

A model boat of Team SCA, made entirely of 100,000 LEGO® pieces, will be exhibited in the Volvo Ocean Race museum from today.

– Friends construct perfect model Lego boat

– Model back in Alicante after touring the world

– Museum gives permanent home to replica

ALICANTE, March 8 – A model boat of Team SCA, made entirely of 100,000 LEGO® pieces, will be exhibited in the Volvo Ocean Race museum from today.

The launch of the Volvo Ocean 65 replica boat, which safely delivered the all-female crew of Team SCA around the world in the 2014-15 race, coincides with International Women’s Day.

The model was donated by SCA, the Swedish global hygiene company, which sponsored skipper Sam Davies’s crew in the nine-month marathon race.

It was displayed at each of the 11 ports that hosted the 12th edition before being transported to its new permanent home in the Alicante-based Volvo Ocean Race museum.

“The boat is in the best place possible. After a long journey around the world, it has returned home,” said Anders Gaasedal, one of the men who constructed it.

The Dane, who works for LEGO®, embarked in 2013 on the challenge of making the Volvo Ocean 65 replica together with his Swedish friend Johan Sahlström, an engineer for Volvo Trucks. They achieved their target after 1,200 hours of work.

“At the start of the regatta, we dreamed of bringing the boat back to Alicante. This has been an adventure for us and for Team SCA. It’s marvellous that the boat is being exhibited in the museum. The more people who can enjoy it the better,” added Sahlström.

What started as a diverting challenge for two friends, developed into a complete engineering and logistic project, replicating in miniature the dimensions of the boat (2.32 metres in length, 3.03 metres mast height, 0.56 metres width of the hull). It has a functioning, scaled-down keel (+/- 40 degrees with five degrees of tilt from its axis).

“Everything works, the pieces are not stuck together. The most difficult thing was making everything curve using pieces that are basically rectangular. This is most beautiful model that I have ever made,” said Sahlström.

“Our boat from the distance looks like a real model, you can´t see it´s made of LEGO® bricks, and then, when you come closer, it´s a great surprise. Everything has curves, it´s been built in 3D, the bricks have been put together from the top, the side and the bottom, and all is shiny. Children always build from the bottom to the top.”

The Volvo Ocean Race museum, which offers free entrance, welcomed more than 50,000 visitors in 2015 and is the only one in the world dedicated to almost 43 years of history of the round-the-world race.

Alicante, headquarters of the Volvo Ocean Race organisation since 2010, was the departure port in the last three editions of the race and will be so again in the next event starting in 2017.

SCA has a long record supporting women’s causes around the world and Team SCA’s entry in the last Volvo Ocean Race underlined their commitment to the issue of female empowerment.

via Team SCA in 100,000 pieces? That’s childplay| Volvo Ocean Race.

Stand by for Atlantic thriller to Cardiff

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Amory Ross / Team Alvimedica / Volvo Ocean Race

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Marc Bow / Volvo Ocean Race

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Cardiff City Council

Cardiff has been chosen as the destination for the first Volvo Ocean Race transatlantic leg to the United Kingdom in 12 years, when the world’s leading offshore race makes its debut visit to Wales in 2018 (full story below).

– Wales chosen as transatlantic stopover for the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18

– Debut visit to Wales for world’s leading offshore race

– Event returns to the UK for first time in over a decade

ALICANTE, Spain, March 3 – Cardiff has been chosen as the destination for the first Volvo Ocean Race transatlantic leg to the United Kingdom in 12 years, when the world’s leading offshore race makes its debut visit to Wales in 2018.

The transatlantic leg is traditionally one of the nine-month event’s biggest highlights and toughest tests for sailors in often challenging conditions.

A sailor was lost overboard and a boat sunk in separate incidents during the same stage in 2006 when Portsmouth was the destination.

At a press conference, Adolfo Rodríguez from the Volvo Ocean Race joined Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, and the City of Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Phil Bale, to announce that Cardiff had been chosen as the transatlantic stopover, when the race will visit from May 25-June 10.

Sailors will leave Newport, Rhode Island, U.S., on May 20 and will cover approximately 2,900 nautical miles until they reach Cardiff.

The leg will start in Newport, which made a hugely successful debut as the race’s only North American stopover in May 2015. It was reselected to host a stopover in the next edition from May 8, with the in-port race on May 19.

Sail Newport executive director Brad Read, who played a leading role in Newport’s stopover, said: “Newport hosted the most successful North American stopover in the history of the race and Rhode Island will be ready again with an enthusiastic family-friendly public festival and celebration in May 2018.

“We are thrilled that the race will connect Newport with Cardiff and the North Atlantic leg between our cities could break the 24-hour speed record in the fierce conditions,” said Read, who is the Newport stopover director.

Other stopovers already announced for the 2017-18 edition include Alicante (Spain), Cape Town (South Africa), Auckland (New Zealand), Lisbon (Portugal) and Gothenburg (Sweden).

Antonio Bolaños López, acting CEO, Volvo Ocean Race, said: “The transatlantic race between Newport and Cardiff promises to be one of the real highlights of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18.

“The event is returning to the United Kingdom for the first time in 12 years, but this is the first time our world-class fleet will have visited Wales, despite the country’s rich seafaring tradition.

“Cardiff’s harbour will make the perfect backdrop for our boats, which will follow after what we expect to be another highly successful stopover in Newport.”

Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart said: “It is excellent news that Wales has been chosen as the transatlantic stopover for this prestigious race. The Volvo Ocean Race is a truly global event and this stopover will be valuable in raising Wales’ profile on the world stage.

“Being a transatlantic stopover will give us added benefits of increased global media coverage and will be an excellent opportunity to look at key business opportunities in the U.S.

“The Volvo Ocean Race’s arrival in Cardiff will mark another historic milestone in Wales’ rise as an outstanding destination for world class events.”

Following a competitive bidding process in 2012, Cardiff, with the support of the Welsh Government, was awarded the right to host a stopover in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-I8. It will be the only race stopover in the UK.

via Stand by for Atlantic thriller to Cardiff| Volvo Ocean Race.

Race sailors lead celebs in BT Sport Relief challenge

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Marc Bow/Comic Relief Ltd

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Corinna Halloran/Team SCA/Volvo Ocean Race

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Matt Knighton / Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing / Volvo Ocean Race

Six British celebrities will join race sailors as they take to a Volvo Ocean Race boat and attempt to sail around the United Kingdom in the BT Sport Relief Challenge: Hell on High Seas (full story below).

– Six celebrities will sail a Volvo Ocean Race boat around the UK

– Boat to be skippered by Ian Walker, with a crew of race sailors

– Departs Belfast on Monday, March 7 to arrive in London on Friday, March 11

LONDON, England, March 2 – Six British TV celebrities will swap the luxuries of dry land for a taste of life at the extreme as they take to a Volvo Ocean Race boat and attempt to sail around the United Kingdom in the BT Sport Relief Challenge: Hell on High Seas.

The challenge, which begins on Monday, March 7, will see BBC The One Show presenter Alex Jones, fellow BBC presenters Angellica Bell and Ore Oduba, Formula 1 host Suzi Perry, stand-up comedian Hal Cruttenden and comedy actress Doon Mackichan jump onboard the Volvo Ocean 65 boat for the ultimate offshore challenge.

The challenge departs from Belfast, Northern Ireland on Monday, March 7, and will include the crew living, eating and sleeping (if they can), as well as actually sailing the high-tech Volvo Ocean Race boat as they attempt to sail around the coast of mainland UK, to arrive in London five days later on Friday, March 11.

With mountainous seas and freezing cold temperatures, the voyage promises to be physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting for the celebrities, many of whom have never set foot on a racing boat before – but luckily for them, they have some experienced heads to call upon.

Briton Ian Walker, the last winner of the Volvo Ocean Race in 2014-15 as skipper and a double Olympic silver medallist, will lead the crew during the challenge.

He will be joined by an experienced team of Volvo Ocean Race veterans; his Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing crewmate Phil Harmer, Team SCA’s Dee Caffari and Sara Hastreiter, Dongfeng Race Team’s Graham Tourell and Volvo Ocean Race meteorologist Gonzalo Infante.

Walker, the first British skipper to win the Volvo Ocean Race, said, “It will be the second week of March and the sea and air temperature for this BT Sport Relief Challenge: Hell on High Seas will be as cold as anything we faced in the Southern Ocean during the last Volvo Ocean Race.

“When the sea is rough, you haven’t slept for days and you are drenched to the core even simple tasks like brushing your teeth can seem impossible. This will be a tough challenge for the seasoned sailors let alone our celebrities. It could well be a true Hell on the High Seas.”

At just 65 feet long, life onboard the boat – a racing machine designed purely for speed, durability and performance, with absolutely no creature comforts whatsoever – will be cramped and uncomfortable.

Out on the ocean, there’s nowhere to hide – and no excuses. The six celebrities will help to run all aspects of the boat, from hoisting and trimming the sails, to helming and keeping watch.

Sailors generally operate in four-hour watch shifts – that means that they will spend four hours on deck, and then get four hours to sleep or relax. Unless there is a sail change to be performed. Then, it’s all hands on deck.

And they will be fuelled the Volvo Ocean Race way – with vacuum-packed, freeze-dried food providing them with around 6,000 calories per day.

The money raised from the BT Sport Relief Challenge: Hell on High Seas will help transform the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people both at home in the UK and across the world’s poorest communities.

Launched in 2007, The One Show has become one of the most popular television shows on British television – and during the challenge, viewers can tune in for live updates every day from 1900 GMT. For those outside the UK, highlights and updates will be published on volvooceanrace.com.

As they embark on this epic challenge, the crew needs your support. You can sponsor them at sportrelief.com/highseas.

via Race sailors lead celebs in BT Sport Relief challenge| Volvo Ocean Race.

remont on its way to Oman for America’s Cup

25 Feb 2016

The American team has been training in Bermuda on their third test boat prior to heading to Oman

AMERICA’S CUP: Bremount is traveling to Oman for the first leg of the America’s Cup World Series which begins on 27 and 28 February.

The weekend marks the first time the competition will be held in the Middle East.

Giles English, Bremont Co-Founder, said, “Bremont is excited to be kicking off the 2016 season in Oman where we will no doubt see some more thrilling racing.”

“These AC45F boats showcase incredible technology and really echo the fundamental values of Bremont. It is great to see ORACLE TEAM USA using their Oracle I watches throughout the racing and especially at the all-important start of each race.”

Bremont was announced as Official Timing Partner of the America’s Cup and ORACLE TEAM USA in May last year.

It also announced an extended retail partnership with Rivoli Group in Oman. The America’s Cup Collection, launched last summer in New York, will be on sale at Rivoli Avenues Mall in Muscat.

Mr English concluded: “From here we look forward to the rest of the season and especially events in New York, where we recently opened our Madison Avenue Boutique, and our home event in Portsmouth.”

After Oman, the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series will head to new New York in May and Chicago in June, before it’s home leg in Portsmouth on 23 and 24 July. Finally, the series will head to Toulon in September.

This weekend’s event will be broadcasted all around the world.

via Boating Business | Bremont on its way to Oman for America’s Cup.

Boating participation buoyed

01 Mar 2016

Howard Pridding: ‘tremendous opportunities’

BOATING RESEARCH: According to new research released on 1 March 2016, 3.2m UK adults participated in one or more of 12 boating activities in 2015.

This, says BM, accounts for 6.5% of the total adult population in the UK.

In light of the poor weather conditions and an overall downward trend experienced across recreational sports last year, boating outperformed many of its counterparts, observing only a minimal decline of 0.6% in UK participation (compared to 7.1% in 2014).

This is in contrast to the higher declines reported by other sports.

In particular canoeing, which remained the most popular boating activity in 2015 (2.9% of UK adults), is only bettered by two other sports when it comes to the biggest increase in participation in recent years.

The research also found participation in any watersports activity, in addition to the 12 core boating activities, including hobbies such as sea angling, leisure subaqua diving and coasteering, stood at 12.4m (25.2% of UK adults) in 2015.

This is a slight decline of 1.65% (compared to 26.8% and 13.1m in 2014), however, it still remains higher than the 2011 pre-Olympics figure.

The Watersports Participation Survey is conducted annually by a consortium of leading marine bodies including British Marine, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), British Canoeing (BC) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).

Key findings

Popular activities: the most popular boating activities stayed much the same in 2015 with canoeing welcoming 1.4m UK participants and motor boating/cruising and small sail boat activities remaining the second most popular, both with 0.9% of the population (421,000 and 418,000 respectively).

Other activities which fared well in 2015 included canal boating, the use of personal watercraft and yacht racing, which all maintained steady participation figures (379,000, 171,000 and 94,000 UK adults respectively).

Surfing, bodyboarding and paddleboarding saw a combined 996,000 UK participants (2.0% of the UK population), a rise of 0.6% on the previous year (from 711,000 and 1.4% in 2014).

Frequency: 2015 saw a continued steady rise in the frequency of boating participation since 2013.

During this time, participation of the 12 boating activities in the UK has risen from just below five times, to close to six times.

In addition, UK participation in any watersport activity has also seen an increase over the last four years from roughly eight times to 10.

Boat ownership: boat ownership has stayed stable, with an average of 1.1m boats, including 530,642 canoes and kayaks and 178,433 small sailing boats, owned by households in the UK in 2013-15.

Since 2010 there has been a rise in craft being kept in the UK rather than abroad and, in 2015, this peaked with 95% of boats being kept in the UK.

In addition, although a third of participants were the owner of the craft, the most popular way to take to the water in 2015 was on a friend or family member’s boat (41.4% of participants).

Inland vs. coastal: in previous years the difference between inland and coastal participation of any boating activity has stood equal at 50% each, but 2015 saw a slight shift towards more people taking to the UK’s lakes, canals and rivers (53% inland, compared to 47% coastal participation).

Importance of the weather: historically there has been a strong correlation between the temperature and activity rate.

With 2014 recorded as the hottest year on average since 1910, whereas 2015 saw a drop in sunshine hours and average temperature, the slight decrease of participation in 2015 can be somewhat understood by this relationship.

This correlation is particularly evident when studying activities outside of the 12 boating activities which reported some of the biggest decreases in participation.

This included a decline of 1.8% in leisure time at the beach and a fall of 0.6% in participation of outdoor swimming in 2015.

Howard Pridding, chief executive of British Marine, said: “Between 2013 and 2014, boating and watersports took place in the context of some of the UK’s best weather of the last decade.

“In light of this, it is encouraging that in 2015, despite milder conditions, levels of boating participation have remained steady.

“The forthcoming months offer tremendous opportunities to encourage more people to get out on the water. By building on the exposure that the 2016 Olympics & Paralympics and the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series brings to our industry, more people will be able to take the chance to safely enjoy the rich experiences that being on the water can provide.”

To find out about the boating and watersports activities in your area visit the following sites:

www.onthewater.co.uk

www.rya.org.uk/get-afloat

www.canoe-england.org.uk/our-sport/get-started

via Boating Business | Boating participation buoyed.