07 May 2026
Creating a community vibe
A real ‘buzz’ now surrounds Margate Yacht Club, where fresh thinking has helped grow membership, activity and community spirit
Club overview
Margate Yacht Club in Kent is volunteer-run and located on the seafront with a membership that includes racing and cruising sailors, kayakers and paddleboarders. The club is an RYA Recognised Training Centre.
Identifying the problem
With an ageing membership and only a handful of junior sailors, membership at Margate YC had stalled, and only a handful of boats were racing each week.
Located in a traditional but trending seaside town, the local demographic has an arts and culture vibe combining old world and 21st century charm, ranging from the UK’s oldest roller coaster to the Turner Contemporary gallery, with bars, cafes and retro shops.
The club needed to find ways of re-engaging with its own members and the wider community.
Implementing a solution
The club set about exploring innovative ways to involve its existing members while reaching out to attract new ones by raising awareness in the town about its activities.
Actions have included ensuring there is a varied and packed calendar alongside the club’s regular racing and training activities, with the aim of providing a nurturing and inclusive environment for people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience:
- Pathway for junior members from start sailing to racing, and onwards to volunteering and instructor qualifications, including support for Duke of Edinburgh Award participants to complete modules at the club.
- Boat donation scheme whereby a keen incoming family is loaned a boat of their own to look after and sail, which in turn helps them to feel accepted and engaged.
- Multi stacker road trailer for up to eight children to be supported to attend Kent Schools Sailing Association traveller events to develop their racing skills.
- Sponsorship programme supported by Rotary and club members which enables 75% of children from a local primary school in a disadvantaged area to take part in sailing for a season, covering all the necessary kit, training and subs.
- WhatsApp group and subgroups for sharing information about club announcements and activities, photos, events and schedules, and all the latest opportunities.
- Diversity of activities to involve different groups and bring the club together, including: fish and chip suppers; a cold swim and hot chocolate; a paddle and a firepit by the light of a full moon for SUPs and kayaks; a picnic cruise to Margate Sands; a pizza van in the yard after a trophy race; barbecues and children’s film nights.
- Community events open to both members and non-members – ranging from a menopause/perimenopause nutrition evening to an outdoor music festival – involving the club in the life of the town while raising awareness about its facilities and activities.
Although the club calendar is busy, it also allows for spontaneity. If the conditions are right for a particular activity, the club might change a race date or add a new event to capitalise on the moment. For example, to fit in a picnic/cruise in response to an ideal forecast; or if there’s a spectacular sunset, word will go out on WhatsApp that the ‘bar is opening, come on down’.
Consolidating progress
Always on the lookout for new ideas to switch it up, club committee members are regulars at the annual RYA Connected Conferences, which enable delegates from RYA Affiliated organisations to network, catch up with best practice and be inspired.
The club is also always keen to tap into the enthusiasm of new members, making an effort to ensure they are involved and feel seen, invited to volunteer and feel valued.
Going forward, the club is exploring ways to further bridge the gap between joining and becoming a part of its community, recognising it may be daunting for new members to make the crossover between turning up for the first time in person to feeling comfortable and at home.
Assessing the impact
Margate YC has stabilised and grown its membership to reach a sustainable level for the future.
The club has doubled the number of sailors racing regularly. Whereas previously there were eight to 10 boats on the startline, there are now around 20 boats taking part regularly.
And a Wednesday youth group attracts around 18-20 participants, compared with virtually no youngsters coming up through the club just four years ago. A Wise & Wild Race in 2025 for youth helms crewed by instructors and adult members saw 25 boats competing.
A corresponding growth in instructors and powerboat drivers is underpinning the club’s development, with volunteers encouraged to gain RYA certificates to support activities. The club is also now holding open meetings for the first time since the late 1980s/early ‘90s.
Awareness in Margate about the club has grown thanks to it hosting events that are open to all, enabling it to showcase its activities while giving back to the life of the town. New members are increasingly from a non-sailing background, with the club having successfully reached out to show that sailing is a sport for all.
The club was an RYA Community Club of the Year finalist in 2024.
Insights and tips
Rear Commodore Emma Macfarlane says: “Don’t be afraid to make changes. Try new things and if they don’t work, try something else. We all get stuck in our ways, but there is no right way, it’s whatever is required. We’re so steeped in tradition and history, but you can make changes as long as you’re respectful, safe and meet RYA standards of best practice.
“We want to break down barriers and we’re always trying to think of ways we can open our club to people who we might not otherwise see. We want to create an environment where people feel welcome and by offering goodwill to the community, even if you’re not making a lot financially, it will come back to you in a circle. The doors are open and we’re raising awareness that we exist and offer lots of different activities, with something for everyone.
“Keep an open mind about who might be a potential member. Non-sailing families can be the most supportive of club activities and paddleboarders, foilers, kayakers and wingers are incredible members, bringing their own energy to club life – and from there might be encouraged into sailing or powerboating as well, or even become your volunteer of the year.
“The absolute heart of our club is its sense of community – it’s a place where we all support each other, whether through the stresses of daily life, racing or learning new skills, or teamwork. Our aim is to create a place that is warm and safe where people are able to be with friends, have a chance to perform, or just come along and have fun.
“It's not always about winning a race. Yes, we want more boats sailing at a higher standard and competing, but it’s also about opportunities to simply have mad crazy hair and feel excited about having been out in a breeze. We’re not superstars, we’ re just a really human club. We’re constantly learning but there’s now a buzz about the place.”