University of Exeter’s sailors crowned sustainability champions

The University of Exeter Sailing Club ‘couldn’t be prouder’ after being crowned winners of the RYA Green Blue University Sailing Sustainability Challenge 2025.

Exeter students were celebrated for leading the way in sustainable sailing at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show last month.

The sustainability challenge, sponsored by the Royal Thames Yacht Club, shines a light on university sailing clubs that are following key environmental best practice, from beach cleans and equipment reuse initiatives, to waste reduction and awareness raising in local communities.

In front of a packed crowd, the University of Exeter Sailing Club claimed the first prize, recognising their efforts in protecting their freshwater environment and effectively spreading the word about sustainability.

Their prize, a Spirit 1.0 Plus electric outboard motor, will support the club in continuing their efforts to decarbonise their sailing activities.

Robin Alexander, a third-year Business and Management student and Secretary of the University of Exeter Sailing Club, said: “It’s fantastic. The best thing about this challenge is everyone at the club gets involved. The upgrade to the electric outboard motor will enable our club to use the safety boat more and minimise our impact on the environment.

“Sailing is a sport where we harness the power of nature and it’s imperative, we respect nature. We couldn’t be prouder.”

This year saw new judging criteria introduced to the sustainability challenge, with a focus on eight sustainability categories including water quality, protection of biodiversity, outreach with young sailors, creating advocacy and making events more environmentally sustainable.

Kate Fortnam, RYA Green Blue Campaigns Manager, said: “Once again, the students here have set the standards in demonstrating what can be achieved in a short time with little budget.

“Every small change we make as a club or an individual boat user can collectively have a greater environmental impact. What the students have accomplished together over the past few months is truly remarkable, each of them should be proud of their actions.”

The Green Blue is the RYA’s environmental outreach programme which inspires, informs and enables the recreational boating community to make more environmentally sustainable choices to protect and enhance our environment for people and nature.

A total of 17 university sailing clubs completed the challenge with all entrants having taken the RYA Green Blue Boating Pledge, committing to respect, protect, and enjoy our inland and marine waters, wildlife and habitats.