Your Story

Have a story to share? Share your experience of sailing with the RYA and get featured on our website.

Abdul

Meet Abdul, a passionate powerboating enthusiast with a visual impairment, who recently excelled in an RYA powerboating course.

Meet Alex

Discover how Alex grew his confidence, became more more active, and made friends through sailing.

Andrew Simpson Foundation: Transforming Lives

Ten years on from his tragic passing, we reflect on Andrew Simpson's legacy to make sailing more accessible.

Brianne Wright

29-year-old Brianne Wright started sailing in her teens and quickly realised she wanted to lead a life on the ocean.

Cameron

11-year-old Cameron is an austistic young man whose interest in sailing is helping to regulate his emotions and form a new interest.

Carolyn

Explore Carolyn's sailing journey from a young age to becoming a member of Newhaven Seaford Sailing Club. Overcoming visual challenges, she found her passion and excelled in a sport where depth perception is not a barrier.

Chris

At 72, Chris is more active on the water than ever. Sailing not only gave him a renewed lease of life, it became a lifeline after his MS diagnosis.

Christella

Meet Christella, a sailor who was first introduced to the water as a child and has now made teaching sailing her profession.

Claire Watson

Claire Watson received the RYA Young Volunteer 2022 award for her work with Cove Sailing Club. The 22-year-old tells us how volunteering changed her life, and the lives of others.

Competing to coaching

Penny Clark coaching: Discover how Penny Clark transitioned from competing in the Olympics to coaching with a smile.

David

David spends so much time with a carer, but when sailing he can go out on a boat, be independent, and really enjoy the scenery and fresh air.

David's Story

For RYA member David Clarke, an RYA course led to a Guinness World Record and the adventures of a lifetime.

Diverse Voices: Ed

Ed shares the story behind their passion for sailing, touching on the RYA's support for the LGBTQI community.

Being Sailing Instructor And Mother

Learn how Ella Williams balances motherhood and her passion for sailing instruction, breaking stereotypes along the way.

Ella’s Story: Survival Of The Arctic

Climate change is making a once unthinkable passage possible, prompting one young sailor to raise awareness of it, in the most awe-inspiring way.

Emma

Discover Emma's unique perspective on sailing as a blind person. Learn about her love for the outdoors, the wind, and the water.

Forget Me Not

Learn about how the charity Forget Me Not is using sailing to offer a relaxing, safe, and friendy environment for people with dementia.

From the classroom to the podium

Meet four talented youngsters who have made significant strides in windsurfing, achieving medal success at the Techno 293 and Techno + World Championships in Quiberon.

George

After surviving bone cancer twice, and having an amputation, sailing has given George his life back.

Meet Girton

Young adults from Aspire Day Services have been learning to sail thanks to weekly sessions at Girton Sailing Club.

Grace

Despite her challenges with non-verbal cerebral palsy and epilepsy, Grace's love for sailing shines through.

Hannah's story

Freedom, friends and feeling part of a community

It's never too late

Senior Instructor, Margaret Norris says age is no barrier to sport, to sailing or to teaching.

Jazz

Sailing has slowly built Jazz's confidence. She is the one in control on the water, where as on land she is always dictated to by her wheelchair, by the surface of the pavement or stairs.

Joe

When Joe, was diagnosed with a brain tumour his treatment had an impact on his mobility and language but sailing helped him discover what he is capable of.

Juliette

Juliette reflects on her joy of being on the water with Cardiff Bay Sailability, after her outdoor activities stopped abruptly in 1995 when she developed myalgic encephalomyeliti.

Kieron

How the Andrew Simpson Centre and RYA training has helped Kieron thrive in a watersports career

Ladi

We met Race Across the World's Ladi Ajayi at West Reservoir Centre to find out more about what first inspired him to sail.

Louis Day

Discover the inspiring story of Louis Day, a 19-year-old working on the Solent, who credits his success to the Trinity House RYA Yachtmaster® Scholarship.

Lucy's Story

Whether she’s racking up the medals or encouraging others afloat, Lucy Hodges MBE says it wouldn't be possible without RYA training.

Lungi

Lungi talks about her experiences as a black sailor and how encouragement built her confidence and solidified her passion.

Marcia

Meet Marcia, an athlete, a long distance runner, a wheelchair user, and now a sailor.

Mark's Story

Learn about how Mark's passion for sailing was ignited during lockdown and how you can begin your own sailing journey.

Millie

Millie, who is deafblind, enjoyed several group sailing sessions, so when looking for a new activity and social opportunity she decided she wanted to learn to sail properly.

Navigo

Explore the incredible impact of NAViGO and Covenham's sailing program on individuals with mental health issues.

Diverse Voices: Nell

Nell shares the story behind their passion for sailing, touching on the RYA's support for the LGBTQI community.

Pip's Story

Pip’s drive to succeed has helped her become a celebrated international racer. But she says she wouldn’t be where she is today without RYA training.

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee School

The school WBB runs Powerability for Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee School who work with pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties, so they can get out on the water in powerboats.

Rebuilding Confidence After Cancer

What happens after cancer treatment can be as daunting as during. But with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, CanalAbility helps young people in recovery get their lives back on track

Rosa

Rosa explains how as an instructor you have the opportunity to inspire the same love for sailing that you have.

Royal connections through the ages

From holidays to yacht racing, The Royal Family has a long history of seafaring. We look back at the RYA’s connections with The Royal Family.

Paddy and Esmée

Young couple, Paddy and Esmée, responded to the cost-of-living crisis by selling their flat and moving to live aboard a 40ft yacht.

Sally

Discover how Sally regained her zest for life after a stroke by joining her local Sailability group at Pitsford Reservoir.

Diverse Voices: Sarah

Sarah shares the story behind their passion for sailing, touching on the RYA's support for the LGBTQI community.

Sarah

Sarah was born with hip dysplasia and an inherited neurological condition. Only when she discovered Sailability could she enjoy Sailing to the full.

Sarah Bagley

Discover Sarah's inspiring story of transitioning from teaching windsurfing to becoming a freelance RYA instructor in Pembrokeshire.

Sarah Reed

A lover of the outdoors, Sarah enjoys spending time out in the mountains or building her sailing hours on the Sadler 25 yacht that was her home.

Sian

RYA volunteer, Sian, discusses giving back and inspiring the next generation on the water.

Steering The Course

The RYA has once again joined organisations across the globe to take part in World Sailing’s Steering the Course festival celebrating women in sailing.

Diverse Voices: Stephen

Stephen shares the story behind their passion for sailing, touching on the RYA's support for the LGBTQI community.

Suzie Taylor

Susizie Taylor, started her own business when she left school, teaching dinghy sailing, powerboating and working as a freelance deckhand on sailing yachts.

Meet Teals

Discover how TEALS empowers young adults with learning difficulties through sailing and volunteering at Testwood Sailability, enhancing their skills and confidence.

Terri's story

Terri's story

The Sailors With MS

Discover the transformative power of life on the water with Multiple Sclerosis. Explore how getting afloat can make a difference in the lives of those living with MS.

The women inspiring University Sailing

The women inspiring University Sailing

Tinu

Tinu shares her experiences and inspirations as person of colour in sailing.

Diverse Voices: Tom

Tom shares the story behind their passion for sailing, touching on the RYA's support for the LGBTQI community.

Diverse Voices: Tom & Peter

Tom and Peter shares the story behind their passion for sailing, touching on the RYA's support for the LGBTQI community.

Meet Will

When Will was diagnosed with multiple Cavernomas and Epilepsy, getting on the water became harder until he discovered Sailability.

Will Holland

Discover Will's journey from receiving the Trinity House RYA Yachtmaster® Scholarship grant to his pursuit of RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certification.

Windsurfing Coach

Windsurfing Coach Sam Ross has carved out a career on the water, taking him from instructing at beach clubs to supporting athletes to the Olympics.

Zed Volunteer

Volunteer race official, Zed, shares how volunteers play an essential role in all levels of sailing.