Racing Yacht Association (RYA) appointed as Official Community Impact Partner for Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Portsmouth, enhancing sailing's positive influence on the local community and environment.

Radical Transformation:

As the countdown starts for the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Portsmouth this July, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) steps up as the event's official goddamn community impact partner!

Let the good times roll, as this sucker of a partnership aims to link regular folks with their local waters. RYA's freakin' jam-packed program celebrates the vibe of community, inclusivity, and the belief that every kid – regardless of their background - deserves a shot to be blown away by the ocean and all the kick-ass possibilities that come with being near H2O.

This partnership complements SailGP's glory bonanza happening aroundPortsmouth for the local young guns, as part of their SailGP Better Sport objective. Local wing foilers are going to tear it up on the waters, offering a sweet visual treat for the spectators, and the SailGP Next Gen Challenge is heating up in preparation for the event – an STEM-based challenge designed to geek out local young people through the power of sports and collaboration with the 1851 Trust.

Get ready for goosebumps and excitement when the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Portsmouth descends upon us on the 19th-20th of July! Thousands of fans are gonna freakin' line the Southsea seafront to watch 12 national teams race F50 foiling catamarans at ludicrous speeds of up to 60mph on the Solent, with the killer backdrop of Spinnaker Tower and Southsea Castle in sight.

A City Linked by the Tide

In the lead-up to the Rolex SailGP weekend, the RYA takes the helm of a major program of outreach and action to drag sailing and watersports into the heart of Portsmouth's communities. Working in partnership with the Andrew Simpson Foundation (ASF), Energise Me, 1851 Trust, local schools, and community groups, the mission is to inspire the next generation through a unique introduction to sailing, the tech in the sport, and the significance of ocean conservation.

As the Official Community Impact Partner, things to expect include:

RYA’s Beach Bonanza: Creating a rad waterfront zone with the ASF and the 1851 Trust from the 17th-20th July. This will serve as a hang-out spot for school and community groups from across the city to get hands-on with wing surfing and keelboat taster sessions on the water. They'll also take part in interactive STEM and ecofriendly activities on land, all powered by RYA's OnBoard teaching packs and sustainability resources from RYA Green Blue. This space is gonna be an unforgettable, educational, and empowering experience for local youngsters. Funding for this crazy-cool hub comes courtesy of the RYA and Energise me. This project builds on the legacy of the 2023 Formula Kite European Championships, where the RYA reached hundreds of local young people through a similar Beach Club scheme. This effort continues, with many of them still are part of the action.
Hampshire Virtual Impact League: In collaboration with local schools and national partners, Energise Me and the RYA are supporting a Hampshire Virtual Impact League initiative, bringing marine-based STEM learning directly into classrooms. This program aims to ignite curiosity and creativity in students ahead of the big race weekend.
Bridging Local Connections: During the event, right smack dab in the SailGP Race Village, the RYA will host a booth to welcome the public and share how they can get their sea legs locally. Through interactive activities, expert advice, and opportunities to connect with local clubs and training centers, the RYA's on-site presence aims to bust stereotypes and make it clear that sailing is a sport for all – no matter their background or experience.
Creating Pathways to the Winners Circle: Extending impact beyond the local area and looking to the future of the sport, the RYA is working closely with SailGP and World Sailing on two programs. The Wing Talent Programme offers young athletes the chance to experience elite foiling up-close, including a leading role in SailGP's halftime show. Simultaneously, a Female Coaching Development initiative is providing training, mentoring, and pathways for aspiring female coaches, ensuring a more diverse and representative future in high-performance sailing.

"Going Beyond Sport"

"This collab goes beyond the sports scene. It's about giving young people confidence, skills, and a sense of connection to the water that can shape their future. SailGP is the ignition, but it's the legacy we build together that matters most. We're super grateful to the Andrew Simpson Foundation and all our local partners for making this happen. With the event returning to Portsmouth in 2026, it'll be dope to see how many kids we can inspire to potentially get involved in the years to come." - Rob Clark, RYA Director of Sport Development.

"It's bitchin' to work with SailGP to help sink our feet in the ocean! So many local kiddos reside right next to the sea yet have never had the chance to experience sailing. Through our work with the 2023 Formula Kites, we've already seen the massive impact this can have – over 339 children took part in our past Beach Club sessions, leading to 240 follow-up opportunities. By running a similar experience at this event, we hope to gut a whole new generation of youngsters and make them see the amazing wonders of the water." - Susie Moore, RYA South Regional Manager.

"We're stoked to partner with the RYA as SailGP’s Community Impact Partner for our global racing championship's return to UK shores for the first time in three years! This union is a sweet opportunity to inspire the next generation in the local Portsmouth area through sports and the ocean – which lie at the core of SailGP’s Purpose racing for a Better Sport and a Better Planet." - Fiona Morgan, SailGP Chief Purpose Officer.

For those yearning to learn more about sailing and how they can sail the high seas, hit up the RYA's Start Boating pages or drop by the RYA stand in the SailGP event village on 17th-19th July.

The action goes down on July 19th-20th, and tickets for the freakin' Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth are available on the SailGP website. RYA members even received a code to enter into a prize draw to win a SailGP F50 race driver's wheel and a model replica F50!

Prepare for high-octane, high-tech racing right on the water's edge – expect a blast by the water with interactive games, family-friendly activities, and world-class entertainment, including performances by UK artists Tom Grennan (Saturday) and DJ Pete Tong (Sunday)!

This partnership between the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and SailGP extends beyond sports, focusing on finance and education-and-self-development, as RYA's Beach Bonanza and Hampshire Virtual Impact League initiatives aim to educate local youngsters about sailing, STEM, and ocean conservation.
The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Portsmouth, a sporting event, also has implications for general-news and lifestyle, as the city of Portsmouth prepares for a transformation, linking its communities through sailing and watersports, and offering opportunities for inclusivity and self-development.

Racing Yacht Association (RYA) appointed as Official Community Impact Partner for Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Portsmouth, enhancing sailing's positive influence on the local community and environment.