Sara’s club tour continues, this time taking place in London and the South East. Joining Regional Manager Steve Mitchell, Sara spent two days meeting volunteers, staff, trustees and community leaders to hear how clubs and organisations across the region are creating opportunities for people to get on the water.  

The tour began at the Docklands Scout Project (DSP), London’s largest youth organisation water activity centre and campsite, which welcomes Scout, Guide and Cadet groups from across the UK to camp aboard Lord Amory, a vessel moored in the heard to London at West India Dock.  Meeting District Commissioner and Centre Principal Richard Hart, Sara heard how the project introduces thousands of young people to boating and watersports through a wide range of RYA training opportunities. Supported by 150 adults and more than 40 youth volunteers, the project has enabled thousands of young people to gain valuable skills, confidence, and experiences on the water.  

The second visit took Sara to the Ahoy Centre in Deptford where she met David Reader, CEO and Justin App, the centre’s Watersports Manager. Against the backdrop of a busy River Thames, discussions focussed on community engagement, accessibility and workforce development. Sara learned more about the success of the Urban Winds project, which is helping create pathways into instructor training and marine careers for people from underrepresented backgrounds; developing a more diverse local workforce that better reflects the communities it serves. 

The final stop on day one was Erith Yacht Club (EYC), that has more than 100 years of history and a proud heritage of bringing people together on the water. Sara met Club Secretary Sarah Taylor, Commodore Dave Burton and Flag Officer Adrian Reaves to hear how a long-established volunteer-led club is adapting to meet modern challenges and opportunities.

Discussions focused on the club's active programme of sailing, training and Sailability activities, alongside its efforts to attract new participants through community open days and RYA Learn to Sail courses. The visit showcased examples of how clubs can use volunteering, inclusive programmes and community outreach to remove barriers to participation and create more opportunities for people to get on the water.

Day two began at Medway Yacht Club, where Vice Commodore Quentin Strauss shared how the club is adapting to societal and recreational changes facing sailing clubs today, while remaining financially sustainable. 

Supported by dedicated volunteers and professional staff, the club continues to expand opportunities for people to get involved in sailing through its training programme, Sailability activities and recent investment in new facilities. Sara heard how the upgraded training space has increased capacity to introduce newcomers to sailing, deliver more training and generate additional income through venue hire, supporting the club's long-term sustainability while ensuring it remains welcoming, accessible and relevant for current and future members. 

The tour then continued to Chatham Maritime Watersports Centre, where Sara met Matt Small, Centre Manager, Richard Farrer, CEO of Chatham Maritime Trust, and Chris Reynolds, CMT Trustee to discuss the centre’s role in serving a growing and increasingly diverse local community. Sara heard about the success of the new Medway Winds Instructor Development Project, launched as a continuation of the Urban Winds Programme and how the initiative is helping to create sustainable pathways for local people to gain qualifications, develop skills, and contribute to the long-term growth of watersports in the region.  

The final visit was at the Medway & Swale Boating Association (MSBA) where Sara was welcomed by Charles Hessy, Medway & Swale Boating Association committee member and London and South East Regional Chair. Sara learned more about the recently launched Medway River Strategy, the challenges affecting water quality across the river, and wider regional activity, including efforts to recruit new volunteers to strengthen capacity and support the delivery of key priorities and initiatives across the South East. 

Reflecting on the tour, Sara said: "It was fantastic to see the variety of organisations supporting boating and watersports across London and the South East. Every visit demonstrated a strong commitment to creating opportunities for people to get on the water. I was particularly encouraged by the focus on inclusion, workforce development and sustainability, and by the passion of the volunteers and staff helping their organisations thrive. Their dedication is making a real difference in communities across the region and I'm excited to see what they achieve next"