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“Off the Water” gives a voice to Scottish recreational water users, bringing all aspects of boating together from the National Governing Body, RYA Scotland. In our podcast we will cover a wide range of topics that will be aimed at keeping everyone up to date and connected, while discussing the key hot topics for sailing and boating around Scotland.
Episodes

Saturday Jan 23, 2021
Off The Water - Episode 11 - Volunteering
Saturday Jan 23, 2021
Saturday Jan 23, 2021
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

Friday Oct 23, 2020
Off The Water - Episode 10- Outdoor Education Centres
Friday Oct 23, 2020
Friday Oct 23, 2020
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

Friday Sep 25, 2020
Off The Water - Episode9 - Windsurfing
Friday Sep 25, 2020
Friday Sep 25, 2020
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.

Friday Aug 28, 2020
Off The Water - Episode 8 - Gone Cruising
Friday Aug 28, 2020
Friday Aug 28, 2020
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.

Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
Off The Water - Episode 7 - Clubs Return To Boating
Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
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.