Paignton Sailing Club announced as winners of Funding the Future

Paignton Sailing Club have been announced as the winner of Sunsail’s 2026 Funding the Future initiative, receiving a £6,000 grant during the Southampton International Boat Show on Friday 18 September.

The popular initiative directs funding to local sailing clubs to help grow grassroots participation. This year’s programme attracted a record-breaking 85 entries, a 35% increase on 2025, with clubs challenged to demonstrate how they could attract more women and girls to the sport, increase participation and create more inclusive environments.

Supporting more women on the water

Paignton Sailing Club’s winning entry, ‘Mums on the Water’, will use the funding to increase participation among female beginners while supporting wellbeing and building confidence on the water.

The project will provide female-led coaching and beginner-friendly tuition, with subsidised sessions helping to make sailing more accessible. It will also highlight progression pathways into wider club membership and volunteering, helping participants stay engaged long beyond their initial sessions.

Priory Sailing Club and Stewartby Sailing Club were awarded runners-up prizes of £2,000 each. Judges were impressed by both clubs’ thorough and well-researched entries, which sought to increase representation and improve financial access to lessons and courses.

Making a difference

Now in its third year, Funding the Future has awarded £30,000 to RYA affiliated clubs and has already delivered tangible benefits.

2025 winner Otley Sailing Club has resurrected three Lasers and six Toppers which are in regular use as hire boats for club members. The investment also enabled the club to expand its junior training programme, with the boats refurbished through the addition of new sails, rigging and control lines.

The heart of our sport

“Sailing clubs are at the heart of our sport,” said Gareth Brookes, RYA Head of Growth. “They provide welcoming places where people can learn new skills, build confidence and become part of a community.

“To grow activity and membership, clubs need the right facilities, equipment and support to create opportunities for everyone. Funding the Future helps clubs do exactly that, enabling more women and girls to get involved and stay involved in sailing for the long term.”

Andy Crang, Vice President Marketing at Sunsail & The Moorings UK added: “Everything we do at Sunsail is rooted in a love for sailing, whether that be helping to grow established passions or encouraging a beginner to take up a hobby, and grassroots clubs are a huge part of this.

“Every application this year had clear ambition and demonstrated its dedication to the sport in a meaningful way, and we hope it gives every club the courage and motivation to keep innovating, pushing for change and encouraging a new generation of sailors. We can’t wait to see how the winners and runners-up use their prize money.”

Find out more

The RYA has a network of more than 1,500 affiliated clubs and associations, providing an environment for thousands of people to enjoy time on the water. 

Sunsail are the RYA’s official holiday partner, find out more about our partnership.