Off The Water’s Podcast

Off The Water - Episode 10- Outdoor Education Centres

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 

Off The Water - Episode9 - Windsurfing

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.

Off The Water - Episode 8 - Gone Cruising

Sailing and Cruising is the focus for this episode of Off The Water. Scotland has many and varied cruising areas and since the 10^th 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.

Off The Water - Episode 7 - Clubs Return To Boating

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.

Off The Water - Episode 6 -Training Centres

In the next two episodes of Off The Water we look at how the easing of restrictions is allowing more activity on the water has affected clubs and training centres in Scotland. In the first part our hosts Nikki Stewart and Jack Mitchell discuss the current updates to guidance and catch up with training centres beginning to enable activity. 

 

Recognised Training Centres (RTCs) provide RYA Training in a safe environment with successful learning experiences available across a range of water-based activities. 

 

Nikki Stewart, RYA Scotland’s Coach Development Manager is in conversation with Sami Poole of Port Edgar Watersports; Fiona Andrews of Tighnabruaich Sailing School and Richard Hermon of Galloway Activity Centre providing some insights into the challenges the centres face now as they begin their return to training.  

Commercially, like many other businesses, the centres have been adversely affected by  lock down,  in what is a limited season. Together they reflect and come to terms with the changes they must make to enable their students and customers to get afloat safely again, with some positives going forwards.

 

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 RTC visit here.  

 

Thank you to Tighnabruich Sailing School; Galloway Activity Centre and Port Edgar Watersports for sharing their stories.  

 

Details for the Scottish Club Trophy are available here. 

 

A full list of the team contacts is here, so please do get in touch as we welcome your comments and feedback and hope you can take a minute to complete a short survey on the podcast https://bit.ly/3j1n7YK

 

 

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