RYA Para Sailing Hub to increase racing opportunities in the UK

The RYA is launching a new support network at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show (26-27 February) aimed at increasing racing opportunities for disabled people in the UK and supporting sailing’s reinstatement in the Paralympic Games.

Packed with resources, training opportunities and advice, the hub, which is championed by RYA Sailability, will provide sailors, volunteers, coaches, and supporters a place to come together as a community and grow the opportunities available.

“We’ve created the RYA Para Sailing Hub so the sailing community can join forces and commit to increasing opportunities for para sailors at local, national, and international level,” explains Joff McGill, RYA Sailability manager. “It will bring together sailors of all ages and experiences with learning and support, making it possible to get to the start line, wherever they want to race.”

Sailing was featured in the Paralympic Games for 16 years between Sydney 2000 and Rio 2016 but was dropped from the programme in 2015. The RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show provides an opportunity for clubs and classes to come together to demonstrate their united support for World Sailing’s #BackTheBid campaign #SailtoLA for sailing to be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

Visitors to the show have the chance to show their support for sailing to be reinstated in the Games by adding their messages alongside some of the most accomplished sailors in the world on the Sailability pledge wall.

Lucy Hodges, six-time Blind Sailing World Champion, will be at the show and has pledged her support. “Sailing is a sport I have been able to participate in at all levels, the adaptions and communication from my sighted support have seen me gain six world titles. I am now keen to help grow and enable sailing to be part of the Paralympics again, having a hub to allow information to be shared and enable participation to grow is a great step forward.”

Visit the hub on stand A40 to speak to the team about opportunities for disabled people to get afloat and for more information on how you can get involved in the Para Sailing Hub.