Off The Water’s Podcast

Off The Water Episode 24 - Sustainable Sailing

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

 

Off The Water Episode 23 - Inside the Student Sailing scene

While many of us are still to get out on the water for the first time this year, it’s a different story for our student sailors, who are in the depths of running a full on event calendar.

With planning and delivering two semesters of sailing amongst full-time studies no easy feat, we’re taking a deep dive into how our student sailors pull it off year in, year out.

Made up of several distinct sailing styles, the Scottish Student Sailing (SSS) year is packed with events and training led by devoted sailors and volunteers.

Relying on representatives from the SSS community, university sailing alumni, and independent race officials, there’s plenty hard work and dedication that goes into the packed calendar of events – and plenty thanks to be paid to those who make it happen.

Listen to the episode now for a closer look at what’s on offer, and the logistics behind it all.

Sound effect copyright @ BBC

Off The Water Episode 22 - Cruising & General Purposes

'Off the Water' is back for a deep dive into cruising, and a look at some of the different voluntary opportunities on offer across RYA Scotland.

Joining our communications team of Marc and Philippa in todays discussion is Charles Bird, Chair of RYA Scotland's Cruising & General Purposes Committee.

Covering a wide range of topics, the committee is devoted to protecting the interests of boaters here in Scotland, be that by increasing the visibility of hazards, promoting environmentally sustainable practises, or by endorsing the use of older watercraft as appose to buying new.

Tune in to hear more about what falls within the Cruising & General Purposes remit, and how you could add your own value in the new year.

Head over to our recruitment page for more information on the roles discussed, as well as various other available positions on our RYA Scotland subcommittees and board. 

https://www.rya.org.uk/gbni/scotland/about-us/job-vacancies 

Sound Effect Copyright @ BBC

Off The Water meets Finlo Cottier

Off the Water is back ahead of the 2023 season with some updates from the team at RYA Scotland alongside a short interview with our new CEO Finlo Cottier. 

Originally from the Isle of Man, sailing brought Finlo to Scotland’s West Coast where he began work as an Artic scientist, eventually becoming a Professor at the Scottish Association of Marine Sciences (SAMS) in Oban. During this time Finlo was an active volunteer as Commodore at Oban SC and a as a deputy coxswain for the RNLI, so has kept close to the water throughout his roles.

The full article on Finlo is available at https://www.rya.org.uk/news/new-ceo-announced-for-rya-scotland

We are continuing to strengthen our team with a number of roles available at: https://www.rya.org.uk/gbni/scotland/about-us/job-vacancies

 

 

 

Off The Water Episode 20 - Volunteers

Why is lack of volunteers one of the biggest barriers to the growth of sailing clubs today? What needs to change?

In this episode of Off The Water we return to the topic of volunteers and volunteering. As we emerge from the lack of formal activities brought about by the pandemic, alongside many other aspects of social change, finding, retaining and supporting volunteers has been brought into sharp focus.

The recent launch of RYA Scotland’s Volunteer Development Framework also provides a perfect opportunity to reflect on the overall impact people who volunteer have on the boating community.

Our guest this episode include the Head of Volunteering for Marie Curie UK, Helen Keenan; Robyn Francis of Scottish Student Sailing and a volunteer as part of the Pioneer Project; and Liza Linton RYA Scotland’s Development Manager.

Bringing a depth of knowledge to the conversation around the motivations of volunteers, rewards and the massive impact they make all form part of the discussion that aims to help you, or your organisation reflect on your volunteering practices and ethos.

Here are some of the Links discussed below:

Volunteer Development Framework

Marie Curie UK Volunteering

sportscotland Volunteer info

Pioneer Project

Scottish Student Sailing

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