What you told us

Sailors

Completed August to September 2016 Sailors Completed August to September 2016 176 respondents included in the results you will see Responses suggest it is independent sailors who participated, not groups or schools Results filtered for sailors and those who said they have a disability We told Sport England that broadly speaking there are two distinct groups participating with Sailability. Firstly, independent sailors, the majority of whom are aged 45+, with more men than women participating. The evidence suggests they are most likely to have a physical impairment, with small numbers of people having a learning disability or a sensory impairment. Secondly, those attending with groups who are likely to be younger, often with multiple and complex disabilities.

Demographics Disability Gender Some real potential to attract people who are not coming sailing at the moment – people with sensory impairments, learning disabilities, mental health, older people with disabilities, for example. Are they likely to want and need something different – equipment?

Demographics Survey results skewed to adult independent sailors. But junior and youth must be an opportunity?

Types of boating – (tick all that apply) Respondents tend to sail dinghies, and see sailing as leisure and recreation and a social activity. They have a range of other boating interests – keelboats, powerboats and competency based courses. A significant minority take part in racing either in their club, or at regattas and events – with Sailability group racing being the most important followed by regattas and events, club racing, class association racing and yacht racing. NPS - 30% of respondents actively promote racing, 21% are passive, and 48% are ‘detractors.

1 in 9 travel more than 50 miles 9 in 10 drive or are driven Getting there 1 in 9 travel more than 50 miles 9 in 10 drive or are driven a challenge when I started a challenge now Sailors are likely to drive themselves to the venue, or be driven by someone else. The geographic spread of the network is a real strength, but we do need to ensure we fill the gaps

How often people go boating? “I wish there were more opportunities” The majority of sailors who responded (over 80%) participate at least 2-3 times a month, often once a week or more (over 60%). When we asked how satisfied people were with this (out of 10) – 37% gave it a score of 0-6, 22% 7-8, 37% 9-10

Time on the water “2 hours is long enough for me” NPS 32% (over 51% promoters) 2 hours is about right for many, but 3 in 10 want longer than that

Sailing history Sailor before disability? How long a sailor? They take up sailing at a wide range of ages, but with low take up in 16-20 year olds. Once they start, people tend to stick to sailing – 60% have been engaged for 5 years or more. There is an even split between those who did go sailing before they became disabled and those who have taken it up since.

Sailing history How you got involved? Clear priorities for how to reach people, but once they are hooked in, people are using social media and email to stay in touch with club activities

Sailing history At what age did you take up boating? Different to the rest of the sailing world? Where experience as a youth is key? Nearly half, have been sailing for less than 5 years. Conversely more than half have been sailing for 5 years or more. It is a life-time activity.

Value for money Satisfaction NPS 62.1% Promoters 73% How pay? Sailing is good value for money – you don’t hear that often. We have a story to tell here, but on the other hand, are you charging enough?

Challenges – before and after

The appeal of sailing The motivations of disabled sailors include being outside and on the water, the thrill of sailing, the sense of freedom and achievement they get from doing something new, or enjoying something they are good at. The social aspects are also key – making new friends, or taking part in an activity with existing friends or family. Non-disabled sailors will recognise and mirror these motivations. Interesting to note that for some it is about not being dependent on others (e.g. a team) and ‘not feeling disabled’ in a boat

Sailing vs other activity Knowledge of instructors, easy to find an activity local to them, preference, the right equipment Can’t be complacent – breadth of activity, equipment Inactivity? The pull of other sports; but nearly half say they don’t do other sports Knowledge of instructors, coaches and volunteers about individual needs; preference; finding a local activity; Then the welcome on offer breadth of activity. Equipment that suited and range of activity – more neutrals than agrees, but more agrees than disagree. Worth noting that 39% don’t do any other sports.

Clubs and Centres

128 people responded, representing over 114 sites. Variety of models – charities the most common 57% sites have at least one person with a disability in a governance role Governance vs sailor wishes – minority want to be active and are active in the running of the club.

Development 2/3rds of you have development plans, which are updated regularly Lots of you haven’t shared these with the RYA What is the most efficient way for us to get to a shared agenda? Talk to your DDO?

Priorities You were asked to indicate your top 3 priorities. Suggests a shared vision about increasing numbers (participants and regular). And raising awareness – creating demand, has to be part of this. Your top 3, top 3 are funding, volunteer recruitment, and retention and boats and equipment. For those of you with site issues, we have to solve these before we can look at anything else.

Volunteers You are recruiting volunteers through word of mouth (88%), local networks (40%) and social media (37%). You are managing volunteers in a variety of ways, but perhaps we need to focus on some areas – looking at what people are asked to do, how they are doing, and how your volunteers are co-ordinated. A project – small number of sites with real need to focus on volunteering. What support, what interventions make a difference. Outcome – solved for those clubs, resources for everyone

Sailors You offer sailing to a wide range of ages, but the sailor survey suggests we are attracting the older age groups. I do think junior and youth is a real opportunity….am I right?

Wide range of activities

Progression - % independent According to your estimates, over half you say that no more than 20% of sailors progress to independence. Less than a third of you estimate that 50% or more of sailors progress to independence.

What sailors have told you? Yet, when you consulted with sailors, they said they want training to be more independent (and often they want certified training), more time on the water and racing. There is a challenge with the certified training as many of you are not recognised training centres. Clearer, more visible pathways / opportunities…?

Satisfaction with Sailability Lots of you use and are satisfied with the Certificate of Achievement scheme, the support you get from DDOs, and the Disability Awareness Training. Those of you who attend this conference are satisfied, or very satisfied. Less popular, but you are satisfied with: Sailability TV, support to access funding. Less satisfied with the volunteer scheme, and not many of you use it. [click] Regional workshops or networking events seem a good way of reaching you, and the website seems OK. If you contact the RYA generally for advice and guidance you satisfied with it. You have hardly used support with social media, or the centre of excellence scheme.

Satisfaction with Sailability We need to work harder at ensuring you understand our priorities, activities and how we spend our funds. And you don’t feel part of a national organisation – I do think Sailability is an amazing network, but clearly we have to work at this aspect. There needs to be a focus on helping you access funding, we need to listen and respond, and if we say we are going to do something, we do it.