RYA named Official Community Impact Partner for Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Portsmouth
As excitement builds ahead of the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Portsmouth this July, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is proud to be named the event’s Official Community Impact Partner.
A major partnership with SailGP to connect people with their local waters, the RYA’s action-packed programme is a celebration of community, inclusion, and the belief that every young person —regardless of background — should have the chance to be inspired by the sea and experience the opportunities that being on the water brings.
The programme complements various opportunities provided by SailGP around the Portsmouth event for local youth, as part of their SailGP Better Sport ambition. Local young wing foilers will showcase their skills on the water as part of a fantastic experience for the crowds, and the SailGP Next Gen Challenge is running in the lead up to the event - a STEM-based challenge designed to engage local young people through the power of sport in collaboration with the 1851 Trust.
When the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Portsmouth arrives on 19–20 July, thousands of fans will line the Southsea seafront to watch 12 national teams race F50 foiling catamarans at electrifying speeds of up to 60mph on the Solent, against the stunning backdrop of Spinnaker Tower and Southsea Castle.
A City Connected by Water
In the build-up to the Rolex SailGP weekend, the RYA is leading a major programme of outreach and activity to bring sailing and watersports to the heart of Portsmouth’s communities. Delivered in partnership with the Andrew Simpson Foundation (ASF), Energise Me, 1851 Trust, local schools and community groups, the initiative aims to inspire the next generation through a unique introduction to sailing, the technology in the sport and the importance of ocean health.
As the Official Community Impact Partner activity includes:
- The RYA Beach Club: Creating a unique waterfront area with the Andrew Simpson Foundation and the 1851 Trust on the 17-20 July where school and community groups from across the city will gather for an unforgettable hands-on experience. Young people will take part in wing surfing and keelboat taster sessions on the water, paired with interactive STEM and environmental activities on land. These sessions are set to be powered by RYA’s OnBoard teaching packs and sustainability resources from RYA Green Blue, creating a memorable experience for local children that’s both educational and empowering.
Funded by the RYA and Energise me, this experiential hub builds on the legacy of the 2023 Formula Kite European Championships, where the RYA reached hundreds of local young people through a similar Beach Club scheme. This work continues today, with many of those same young people still involved—and now returning to the water for this next exciting chapter.
- Hampshire Virtual Impact League: As part of its ongoing work across the county, Energise Me and the RYA are also supporting a Hampshire Virtual Impact League initiative. In collaboration with local schools and national partners, the programme is bringing marine-based STEM learning directly into classrooms, igniting curiosity and creativity in students ahead of the big race weekend.
- Building Local Connections: Throughout the event in the heart of the SailGP Race Village, the RYA will host a stand, welcoming the public to discover how they can get involved in sailing locally. Through interactive activities, expert advice and opportunities to connect with local clubs and training centres, the RYA’s on-site presence aims to break down barriers and show that sailing is a sport for everyone—no matter where you’re from or what experience you have.
- Creating Pathways to the Podium: Extending impact beyond the local area and looking to the future of the sport, the RYA is also working closely with SailGP and World Sailing on two programmes. The Wing Talent Programme offers young athletes the chance to experience elite foiling firsthand including a starring role in SailGP’s high-profile halftime show. At the same time, a Female Coaching Development initiative is providing training, mentoring and pathways for aspiring female coaches, ensuring a more diverse and representative future in high-performance sailing.
'Beyond sport'
“This partnership goes beyond sport. It’s about giving young people confidence, skills, and a sense of connection to the water that can shape their future. SailGP is the spark, but it’s the legacy we build together that matters most. We are so grateful to the Andrew Simpson Foundation and all our local partners for their support in making this happen. With the event returning to Portsmouth in 2026, it will be great to see how many children we can inspire to potentially get involved in the years to come.” - Rob Clark, RYA Director of Sport Development.
“It’s fantastic to be working with SailGP to help connect the community to the water. So many local children live right by the sea yet have never had the chance to experience sailing. Through our work with the 2023 Formula Kites, we’ve already seen the incredible impact this can have—over 339 children took part in our previous Beach Club sessions, leading to 240 follow-on opportunities. By running a similar experience at this event, we hope to inspire even more young people to discover the amazing opportunities the water has to offer.“ – Susie Moore, RYA South Regional Manager.
“We are thrilled to partner with the RYA as SailGP’s Community Impact Partner for our global racing championship’s return to UK shores for the first time in three years. This collaboration is a fantastic opportunity to inspire the next generation in the local Portsmouth area through sport and the ocean – which lie at the heart of SailGP’s Purpose racing for a Better Sport and a Better Planet.” – Fiona Morgan, SailGP Chief Purpose Officer
For those looking to learn more about sailing and how they can get on the water, visit the RYA's Start Boating pages or drop by the RYA stand in the SailGP event village on 17-19 July.
The action gets underway on July 19-20 and tickets are available for the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth online on the SailGP website with RYA members having received a code to be entered into a prize draw to win a SailGP F50 race driver’s wheel and a model replica F50.
High-speed, high-tech racing right at the water’s edge – expect fun by the water with interactive games, family- friendly activities and world-class entertainment including performances by UK artists Tom Grennan (Saturday) and DJ Pete Tong (Sunday).