Off The Water’s Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, RYA Scotland Communications Lead Philippa Howie sits down with Maggie Adamson and Calanach Finlayson - scottish offshore sailing superstars!

Maggie and Cal both began their sailing journeys in dinghies at their local clubs in Lerwick and Montrose respectively.

Now, they are Offshore Double Handed World CHAMPIONS!

To hear more about how they found their way in our sport, and their experience at major competitions, make sure to tune in.

To follow Maggie and Cal, head to their website or follow them on Facebook .

Today, our communications team of Marc and Philippa take a deep dive into Sustainable Sailing Ltd – an innovative start up tackling some tricky environmental challenges.

With insight from co-founder Joe Penhaul-Smith, we find out how he launched Sustainable Sailing along with his brother Sam.

The first on the scene in terms of true sail recycling technology, Sustainable Sailing benefits from wealth of experience offered by its founding directors in science, and the inner workings of the marine industry – combined with a true passion for change.

The company’s innovative technology can recycle 90% of the different sail cloths in general circulation – offering a potential solution for a huge quantity of annual waste, primarily stemming from the boating and leisure marine industry.

With momentum not slowing anytime soon, Joe and Sam remain dedicated to paving the way for a more sustainable future for the marine industry.

Check out Sustainable Sailing on their website:

https://www.sustainablesailing.co.uk/

You can find out more about The Green Blue Pledge here: https://thegreenblue.org.uk/boating-pledge/ 

Sound Effect Copyright @BBC

It is widely acknowledged that many people get involved in sailing through family participation, and this episode explores this with a quiet, unassuming family from the Isle of Arran as the Off The Water podcast catches with the Hunter family.

They are an inspiration on so many levels as they all have made a profession out of sailing, through their passion for all the activities on offer, from racing to cruising and the limitless sense of adventure it allows.

Ian and Sally have shared many nautical miles in ocean crossings and deliveries, although Sally’s involvement in the first all-female entry, Maiden, in the 1989/90 Whitbread Round The World Race was both iconic and trailblazing.

Together they had two boys who they immediately shared their love of sailing by taking them on extensive cruises around the West Coast of Scotland from the carry cot right up until their own sailing took them further afield.

Rory and Neil have carried on the family tradition on the world stage with some significant successes, both sailing together in the 29er and then in separate trajectories. Rory having won the 2019 Waspz games in Australia and Neil being called up to the UK America’s Cup teams in 2017 and 2021, to name a couple of highlights.

So we thought it would be great to get them all together and find out more about their journey as a family and the magic that has made them so successful in the sport and inspirational for any cruising family heading afloat this summer.

Here’s some more links about their past and present sailing voyages.

Hunter Yacht Deliveries:

https://hunteryachtdeliveries.com/

Sally Hunter – Anything is Possible Bio:

https://anythingispossible.world/projects/the-maiden-factor/sally-hunter/

Neil Hunter Bios:

https://www.ineosteamuk.com/en/articles/71_Meet-the-crew-Neil-Hunter.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J9rYaMJ8uo

Rory’s next adventure:

https://yachtracing.life/the-ocean-race-akzonobel-ocean-racing-announces-sailing-team-for-europe-race/

In this episode of the Off The Water podcast we dive into equality, diversity and inclusion.

This is a clearly a huge area and can be perceived in many ways by different groups and individuals. To provide some insights we asked two new members of the RYA Scotland team to hold a discussion on the topic to bring out some key themes for them around the perception of our sport and to share their experiences and realities of the topic.

Georgia Moran has just joined as the Regional Development Officer for the East after a number of years working with Scottish Student Sport, while Robyn Phillips takes on the new role of Training Development Officer after working with Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust. They both share a passion for equality and inclusion within sport, bringing experiences on gender equality, LGBT, accessibility and aspects of financial inequality in projects they have been involved in.

Hosts Nikki Stewart and Liza Linton help set some context during a time of International Women’s Day and the launch of the RYA Strategy of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion which aims to create more opportunities for all to get on the water.

To provide wider context sportscotland conducted research in March 2020 around Equality and sport and is available below:

https://sportscotland.org.uk/about-us/our-publications/archive/equality-and-sport-research-2020/

The RYA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2030:

https://www.rya.org.uk/about-us/rya-policies/equality/Pages/RYA-Equality-Diversity-and-Inclusion-Strategy.aspx

The 12th episode of Off The Water explores the environment which we enjoy our activities within. As both a global and local issue it can be perceived as overwhelming and certainly has many aspects to understand where we can help reduce our impact on it and maintain it for future generations. 

Certainly it takes a positive collective attitude and many small steps to reach the net zero goal set out by world leaders, but what can we do in the boating community? 

Hosts Robin Nicol and Marc Turner open up the discussion with three inspirational people who serve up several examples of good practice and highlight resources and support that can help on this journey.  

Angie Fraser joins us from Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust, an RYA affiliate that has implemented a number of efficiencies on a road to net zero, taking the little steps that they can do themselves and for clubs in the region.  Kate Fortnam, is the campaign manager for The Green Blue, an initiative between British Marine and the RYA to help the boating community reduce their impact on coastal and inland waters. Barry Fisher is the CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful the charity for Scotland’s environment, who also has a keen interest in sailing having been General Manager for the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland.

The discussion touches on some useful sources of funding and support including:

The Green Blue provides resources for individuals, facilities and businesses: https://thegreenblue.org.uk/resources/

The Climate Challenge Fund : https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccf

Community resources from Keep Scotland Beautiful: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/community-and-place/clean-up-scotland/handy-resources/

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations : https://fundingscotland.com/

Foundation Scotland : https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/

Off The Water is back for 2021 with a new season of conversations which affect the boating community in Scotland.

Hosts Nikki Stewart and Jack Mitchell share an interview which gets to heart of why we volunteer and about the ethos and culture of our volunteers. RYA Scotland are fortunate as we have a volunteer run board with one person in particular who works in the voluntary sector and has agreed to share their experiences of volunteering.

Helen Keenan, is head of Volunteering for Marie Curie UK and she brings unique insights from her career in volunteer management. Helen joined RYA Scotland as a Non Executive Director for Volunteering in 2019, providing a voice on the board with genuine expertise in this area that is fundamental for our sport and activities. While the only boat she has been on is a ferry, her perspective is challenging and very welcome as we move through big challenges for the voluntary sector.

This pod is aimed at raising the conversation on volunteering to support clubs and organisations looking for advice and in showcasing the endless impact volunteering has on our community and the people involved. The hosts have both been volunteers and it has developed them as people and provided an opportunity for their learning. We hear about the culture behind volunteering, why do we do it and investigate the changes in society related to volunteering and hopefully leave our listeners with some tips and tools to try.

RYA Scotland has been developing a Volunteer Development Framework to assist volunteer led clubs and organisations to create a more sustainable approach to volunteering. It also highlights to volunteers that their actions are as important as the boating we all enjoy. The framework is in the final stages and will be available in the coming months as a practical tool that helps shape the questions you should be asking when it comes to volunteering.

The RYA tackle the reoccurring challenge and issue for clubs, particularly with regards to supporting membership growth - not enough volunteers! The insights suggests 52% of RYA Affiliated organisations report lack of volunteers as being a primary challenge to their growth and many reporting a small number of volunteers doing the bulk of the work. Hear about the findings of the research and also some experiences of clubs who have managed to successfully increase the number of volunteers below.

https://www.rya.org.uk/programmes/Pages/future-webinars.aspx#4

RYA Scotland offer a range of volunteer opportunities below.

https://www.rya.org.uk/scotland/about-us/Pages/volunteers.aspx

sportscotland also offer workshops on volunteering available below.

https://sportscotland.org.uk/coaching/cpd-and-training/volunteer-management/

Finally you can stay in touch with all the latest news from RYA Scotland via our website, http://www.rya.org.uk/scotland and of course, across our social media channels @ryascotland

In Off The Water this month our hosts Nikki Stewart and Jack Mitchell gain some real insights into the value of Outdoor Education Residential Centres as they have become under serious threat during restrictions brought in to combat Covid-19.

With sailing and boating being introduced to thousands each year through these centres we catch up with three voices within this sector and hear about some of their experience of the benefits these centres provide.

Jane Campbell Morrison, the chair of the Scottish Adventure Activity Forum has brought together many organisations to back the #SaveYourOutdoorCentres campaign and joins Liam Watson a RYA Senior Instructor with the Scouts Association at Lochgoilhead. We are also joined by our Youth Board member Jordan McNeilage, who has been the RYA Principal at Loch Insh Watersports Centre, near Aviemore.   

The opportunities available to experience the outdoors for Scotland’s young people are extremely important and the current campaign has really captivated generations of people from all walks of life who have benefits from understanding outdoor learning.

Our regional development officer Jack Mitchell and Coach Education Development Manager Nikki Stewart explore the topic asking:

Why are outdoors centres so important?

What do they offer children that other things such as clubs and schools don’t? 

What is so important about the residential element of what these centres can offer?  

Do you think lockdown has reminded or educated more people of the benefits of being outdoors especially with their children?

How do we see outdoor education centres adapting in the future?

Are there any new opportunities emerging for them to help make them sustainable and protect their future?    

During recording we received news of a package of support from the Scottish Government which is warmly welcome, however we recognise that much is still to be done to maximise the exposure for what this sector does for young people and in introducing so many to our sport.

Find out more about the campaign through #SaveYourOutdoorCentres

Finally you can stay in touch with all the latest news from RYA Scotland via our website, www.rya.org.uk/scotland and of course, across our social media channels @ryascotland 

Robin Nicol and Marc Turner take over the Off The Water podcast this month, with a fantastic insight into the journey of a windsurfing family from Loch Insh who have followed a performance pathway to international success. 

Islay Watson (19) recently won silver at the first IQ Foiling European Championships in Switzerland is joined by her mother Kim as the share their journey into windsurfing, the challenges and explain what it is like to race the newest Olympic class of foiling windsurfers at International level. It's an epic for sure.

To find out more about windsurfing and Team 15 or find your nearest Club visit here. 

We want to find out your views on the RYA Scotland podcasts, with a chance to win a 30 litre Overboard Dry Bag. Take 2 minutes and share your thoughts here.

RYA Scotland aims to promote and protect safe and successful recreational boating, ensuring the freedom of navigation and rights of boaters are looked after. To find out more about joining the RYA visit here.

Sailing and Cruising is the focus for this episode of Off The Water. Scotland has many and varied cruising areas and since the 10th of July many participants have been able to get afloat and enjoy some time exploring and enjoy our waters, by sail or motor.

Hosts Jack Mitchell and Nikki Stewart are joined by producer Marc Turner, who is also a RYA Cruising Instructor to talk all things cruising and sailing, with conversations with three enthusiastic sailors, who have made it afloat this season.

They include a relative newcomer, Katie McCorkindale from Dunoon whose first experience sailing was the Round Mull Race and has since really enjoyed getting out and exploring our islands. To Mark Maylin from Aberdour in Fife who has taken his family many miles on their 29 foot yacht Hilarity on teh North Sea and beyond. 

Finally we are joined by Christopher Cardwell of Sailing and Cruising Northern Ireland, who not only enjoys the activity but has built up a successful online community around the activities.

We have an update on guidance aimed at reducing the spread of Covid 19 as the Scottish Government add contact outdoor sports and the indoor facility use, which allows for an expansion to boating activities. For further information on all the latest guidance on returning to boating advice visit here. 

To find out more about RYA Training courses or find your nearest Club visit here. 

We want to find out your views on the RYA Scotland podcasts, with a chance to win a 30 litre Overboard Dry Bag. Take 2 minutes and share your thoughts here.

RYA Scotland aims to promote and protect safe and successful recreational boating, ensuring the freedom of navigation and rights of boaters are looked after. To find out more about joining the RYA visit here.

In the second part the Off The Water team touches base with the volunteer led clubs and the challenges they have encountered to engage members. As restrictions eased the clubs have had to implement measures as they return to activity and adapt to a new normal, each with their own distinct set of circumstances.

Regional Development Officers Jack Mitchell and Robin Nicol meet with Lorna Drummond from St Andrew’s Sailing Club, Joe Swierczek of Cumbernauld Sailing Club and Neil Beveridge from Prestwick Sailing Club to hear their stories and how they are managing the changes and adhering to the guidance.

Sailing clubs have traditionally delivered a range of activities from training to racing alongside a strong social programme that connects people in the community around the sport. With multiple layers of activity, the guests talk around the challenges they faced and what has helped them to get back on the water.

For further information on all the latest guidance on returning to boating advice visit here.

To find out more about RYA Training courses or find your nearest Club visit here. 

We want to find out your views on the RYA Scotland podcasts, with a chance to win a 30 litre Overboard Dry Bag. Take 2 minutes and share your thoughts here.