The Green Blue

28/09/2026

Sign up now to get involved in the University Sailing Sustainability Challenge! ♻️

The challenge is a great opportunity to tell everyone about the sustainable practises that you are doing in your sailing club. It is an opportunity to bring us all together to do something positive for the environment, and to make our sailing activities more sustainable.

If you're considering entering the University Sailing Sustainability Challenge, now is the time to get involved. For more information and to enter your University Sailing Club into the challenge, contact the RYA Green Blue at [email protected].

Let us sail towards a greener future together! 🌍

Royal Thames Yacht Club

20/07/2026

" If we don't look after our waterways and make sure that we're doing sustainable practices, then we're going to lose access to the places that we love."

University of Bristol Sailing Club are proving that sustainability isn't just good for the environment — it's good for sailing too.

We visited Chew Valley Lake to see how the club won the RYA Green Blue University Sailing Sustainability Challenge through practical, low-cost projects that made a real difference.

Their initiatives included:
Rebuilding Firefly rudders instead of replacing them
Repairing damaged boats to extend their lifespan
Repurposing old sails into useful new products
Donating equipment to local schools
Running a second-hand sailing kit auction
Creating a dedicated Sustainability Officer role within the club

Find out more about the University Sailing Sustainability Challenge and how to get involved: http://rya.org/2Wq450Zq57R

British Universities Sailing Association Royal Thames Yacht Club

24/06/2026

🌿 It's Invasive Species Week! 🌿

Did you know that non-native invasive species can spread on boats, boards, kit, clothing and equipment, threatening our waterways and wildlife?

Always remember to Check, Clean, Dry.

✅ Check your equipment and clothing for plants, animals and mud
✅ Clean everything thoroughly as soon as possible
✅ Dry completely before using it elsewhere

Find more information about the dangers of invasive species and how we can protect our waters visit http://rya.org/nuJg50Zg8VA

Learn more👇 http://rya.org/cE5K50Zg8Tr

30/04/2026

The Eric Twiname Junior Championship is happening this weekend!

Join the RYA Green Blue team for a range of activities… 👇

♻️ Green Blue Deposit Bin:
All week long, we’ll have a collection bin for unwanted or used sailing kit and equipment. Items donated will be passed to our partners, Kitround and circularflow helping extend the life of sailing gear and reduce waste through recycling and redistribution.

📣 Green Blue Talks – Saturday & Sunday (1:00–1:45pm):
These sessions will explore 👇
• What the Green Blue programme is and how it supports sustainable boating
• The challenges of recycling sailing kit and how the RYA is tackling them
• How to prevent the spread of invasive species
• Water quality issues and the RYA’s role in the Clean Water Sport Alliance

⛵ Dinghy Park Clean – Sunday (2:00–3:00pm):
Get involved in our Dinghy Park Clean at Rutland Sailing Club and help minimise the environmental impact of the event. Drop in for a quick litter pick—every little helps, and it’s a great opportunity to get some fresh air!

16/04/2026

15/04/2026

The future of sailing is in good hands. 🤝

The University Sailing Sustainability Challenge is inspiring clubs across the country to think differently about their impact, and take real action.

From learning how to protect local wildlife, to finding practical ways to reduce their environmental footprint, students are embedding sustainability into everyday club life.

It’s not just about ideas. It’s about getting everyone involved, making it fun, and turning small changes into lasting habits.

A record-breaking 19 teams taking part this year, here's to even more universities joining next year. Read more: http://rya.org/1TNC50YJTYc

# Royal Thames Yacht Club British Universities Sailing Association

02/03/2026

A huge well done to all the students and USC teams for completing this year’s University Sailing Sustainability Challenge. ♻️

It’s been fantastic to see all the innovative ideas and impactful actions you’ve created and delivered throughout the challenge.

The photos in this post are taken from some of the USC final submissions.

Judging begins this week, and we can’t wait to announce our winners during the British Universities Sailing Association Awards at the BUCS Team Racing Finals. Stay tuned!

Royal Thames Yacht Club

18/02/2026

We’re excited to announce the University Sailing Sustainability Challenge 2025-26 judging panel!

⭐ Vanessa Clifford - CEO of Royal Thames Yacht Club

⭐ Dan Reading - Co-founder of Sporting Giants

⭐ Rebecca Videlo - World Sailing Sustainability Executive

⭐ Mike Golding OBE - The Green Blue Patron and Round the World Champion Sailor

The panel are excited to recognise the substantial impact that the students have made and their drive for an environmentally sustainable future. 🌱🌍

Royal Thames Yacht Club British Universities Sailing Association World Sailing Mike Golding Yacht Racing

11/02/2026

BUCS Qualifiers this weekend 📸

We were out and about at the South Western Qualifiers on Saturday and the Southern Qualifiers on Sunday, catching up with universities taking part in the challenge and seeing the promotional kit in action 🙌

We also chatted with universities not currently competing, sparking conversations around sustainability in their clubs and planting the seed for them to join the challenge next year 🌱

British Universities Sailing Association Royal Thames Yacht Club

27/01/2026

Huge shoutout to our University Sailing Club students for their submissions on sustainable actions! 🙌

University of Bristol Sailing Club sorted through their Sail Store and donated a collection of unused storm sails to a local school, giving the students the chance to sail safely in more conditions while avoiding the emissions associated with buying new.

The remaining damaged or incompatible sails were upcycled, transforming old material into bags, bookmarks, aprons and more.

Bangor University Sailing Club carried out a beach clean at Beaumaris on Anglesey, and a nearby woodland. With the beach heavily used by locals, visitors, water sports groups and dog walkers, keeping it clean is essential. A simple but impactful effort to protect both the beach community and their sailing waters.

The University of Sheffield Sailing Club hosted an upcycling workshop, giving old and damaged sails a second life as jackets, tote bags and sail bags, promoting circular economy principles and reducing waste across the club.

These highlights form part of the fourth USSC submission, and we’re excited to see what the University Sailing Clubs produce for their final submission next month.

Royal Thames Yacht Club British Universities Sailing Association