The Green Blue

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

16/12/2025

Well done to all the sailing clubs participating in the University Sailing Sustainability challenge for completing their second actions. 👏

UWE carried out a group workshop where members upcycled items using an old firefly main sail. With access to a sewing kit, hot glue, old sailing t-shirts, duct tape and different types of scissors, the sailors created wall hangings, a bag, a wallet and refurbished headbands for sailing.

Durhan Water Quality established a biosecurity wash station for all boats entering and leaving the reservoir, ensuring compliance with the national Check, Clean, Dry procedure.

University of Exeter encouraged sailors to bring proper bailers of and reusable water bottles, to increase the incentive to take them back home after sailing sessions and to reduce our environmental impact. Those who used milk bottles as bailers were given the opportunity to join a bulk buy of durable bailers.

Royal Thames Yacht Club British Universities Sailing Association

08/12/2025

Join our University Sailing Clubs in the fight against harmful aquatic invasive species, by adopting the procedure every time you sail:

👀Check - all equipment for animals or plant material before leaving a site.

💧 Clean - your boat, equipment, trailer and gear thoroughly with tap water.

⛵ Dry – everything, especially nooks and crannies as species can survive in damp conditions for several weeks.

Help stop the spread! Find out how to your boat to remove invasive species: http://rya.org/K7WN50XFTiP

Royal Thames Yacht Club British Universities Sailing Association The Green Blue

26/11/2025

“Sustainability is important for sailing, we want protect the sport that we love so much.” ⛵

“We rely on nature to power our sport, so we have to look after it like it looks after us.” 🌊

Hear from University Sailing Clubs taking part in the University Sailing Sustainability Challenge as they share why sustainability matters to them and highlight the great work they’re doing to keep our waters clean.

British Universities Sailing Association The Green Blue Royal Thames Yacht Club