First wave of Para Pathway Clubs announced

Five clubs have been awarded British Sailing Pathway status for their commitment to providing accessible training and racing for sailors with disabilities.

Para Pathway Clubs will aim to provide affordable, high quality coaching and racing, encourage a team culture where para sailors train together, and ensure a safe, enjoyable learning environment for both training and competition.

The first clubs to join the British Sailing Pathway with a para sailing focus are:

• Newhaven & Seaford Sailing Club
• Notts County Sailing Club
• Rutland Sailability & Rutland Sailing Club
• Whitefriars Sailing Club
• Frensham Pond Sailability

Brett Cokayne, National Para Sailing Coach, said: “Congratulations to all of those clubs named in our first wave of Para Pathway Clubs. This exciting new programme aims to create more grassroots opportunities for sailors with disabilities to train and race to a high standard, whether that’s at their home clubs or competing nationally and internationally. It will also support talent identification and development for the future as we work towards the reinstatement of sailing in the Paralympics.”

Frensham Pond Sailability para sailor Paul Phillips, who competes nationally and internationally in the Hansa class - including representing GBR at the 2025 world championships in Australia - welcomed the initiative and said becoming a part of the British Sailing Pathway would help to raise awareness about the opportunities available for disabled people to get involved in the sport.

Paul said: “Frensham Pond Sailability do a fantastic job in terms of the opportunities for disabled sailors and particularly those who are keen to race, so we see the British Sailing Pathway as a means of carrying that on and encouraging other people to get involved. I’ve gained so much from racing and have such a fantastic group of friends around the world. From my perspective there are so many benefits and that’s why I was keen for us to join the programme - it’s offering a fantastic opportunity to say ‘this is here’ and if you’re interested in racing then there are lots of places that you can do it.”

Apply for your club

Applications remain open for any clubs wishing to also become a Para Pathway Club. Those awarded Para Pathway Club recognition receive a flag, plaque and certificate to help them raise awareness about their support for people with disabilities who would like to develop their skills to enjoy sailing as a competitive sport.

Each organisation also benefits from a 25% discount off RYA Race Coach courses, access to RYA Race Coach resources and online workshops for coaches and sailors, along with an educational publications pack worth over £50, coach development and training, club development and planning, and a sailor support programme.

Find out more and apply to become a Para Pathway Club.

Para Sailing grants

Grants are available to support podium potential sailors attending the following events:

• World Ability Sport Youth Games – June 2026
• RS Venture Connect European Championships – July 2026
• 2.4mR World Championship – July 2026
• Inclusive World Sailing Championships – October 2026
• 2027 World Sailing Championships Test Event (EUROSAF Inclusive European Championship 2026)

Volunteer grants are also available to help cover to cost of supporting para sailors at UK open meetings and training events (not including the events listed above).

Visit the Para Sailing Hub to apply for sailor or volunteer grants or to find out more about becoming a Para Pathway Club.