This week, the RYA unveiled its refreshed Together on Water strategy, setting out an ambitious ten-year vision to help more people experience the water and the benefits it brings.

Building on the foundations of the strategy first launched in 2023, the refresh outlines a clear plan of action designed to grow participation, strengthen communities, and safeguard the waters that inspire millions across the UK. 

At the heart of the strategy is a bold ambition to: 

• Double active participation in water-based activities over the next decade. 
• Enable 10 million people to experience a meaningful connection to blue spaces. 
• Create more opportunities for people from all backgrounds to get on the water and feel they belong. 

To achieve these ambitions, the strategy is built around four cross-cutting priorities:

More People, More Often - Growing participation and helping people develop lifelong connections with the water. 

More Backgrounds - Opening opportunities and creating welcoming communities where everyone feels they belong. 

Better Blue Spaces - Protecting and enhancing the waters that connect us all. 

Brilliant Basics - Providing the strong foundations, systems, and support that enable everything the RYA does. 

What does this mean for affiliated clubs?

RYA CEO Sara Sutcliffe explains: “For clubs, this is not about immediate change or additional expectations. This refresh is designed to provide long-term direction for the RYA.

“The ethos of Together on Water remains the same. We know that being on the water can be life-changing, but too many people still feel that spending time on the water is not accessible to them. That must change.

“It’s about building on the incredible work already happening across the country and ensuring clubs, training centres, volunteers, and everyone who makes activity possible continues to receive the support they need to thrive. Listening to our clubs and understanding their barriers will remain at the heart of everything we do”. 

Shaped by what we've heard

The refreshed strategy is informed by your feedback through insights from the RYA's Reflections on Water Survey and the National Watersports Participation Survey, which highlight the important role water plays in people's lives.

The research shows that: 

• People are drawn to the water because of how it makes them feel. 
• Strong communities help more people thrive on and around the water. 
• Reducing barriers enables more people to participate. 
• Future growth depends on reaching and welcoming new audiences. 
• People who feel connected to blue spaces are more likely to protect and care for them

These insights reinforce something clubs already know: welcoming environments, strong communities, and positive experiences are often what keep people involved for life. 

Connecting people where they live

From challenging outdated perceptions to helping more young people unlock opportunities that extend far beyond participation, Together on Water is about making time on the water something people can grow up with and return to throughout their lives.

Areas of focus include creating opportunities through volunteering, leadership, and careers; supporting underrepresented groups; and developing programmes that connect people with the water where they live.

Plans for each of our priority areas are currently being worked on- you can hear more about these at the RYA Connected Conferences this winter. Book your place now. 

Sara Sutcliffe added: “We know this ambition is bold, and we know it will take time. We are committed to continuing to work with our networks and those on the ground, so we can better understand the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Together on Water has always championed the joy of sailing and boating. This next chapter builds on that foundation with a sharper focus on helping more people discover, enjoy, and benefit from being on the water, while continuing to support the communities that make it possible.”

Discover more about Together on Water.