Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch MP, with members of Medway Watersports for the launch of the Watersports Participation Survey

Watersports participation approaching pre-recession highs as more people take to the water

According to new research, 3.5 million people (6.7% of UK adults) participated in one or more of 12 core boating activities¹ in 2016, the highest volume recorded since 2009. An additional 668,828 (1.3% of UK adults) took part in growing watersports activities², a rise of approximately 95,000 more participants. Overall, a total of 4.16 million people (7.9% of UK adults) enjoyed boating and watersports in 2016.

In total, over 14.3 million people (27.3% of UK adults) participated in any water-based leisure activities³. With an increase of 2 million more participants in 2016, it is the highest volume of participants recorded since pre-recession (14.4 million in 2007). It includes participants of the 12 core boating activities and growing watersports activities, as well as activities such as sea angling and coastal walking.

The research also found a substantial increase in the number of younger people (aged 16-34) classed as boating ‘enthusiasts’. All participants are looking for opportunities to get active on the water throughout the year, with increasingly popular pursuits including small sailboat activities, yacht cruising and stand up paddleboarding. This appetite for manageable and flexible pursuits is reflected in boat ownership trends with households across the socio-economic landscape downsizing or taking up ownership of smaller boats or watersports craft.

The launch of this new research coincides with an inspiring, fun-filled event at Medway Watersports, Gillingham attended by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, Tracey Crouch MP. The Minister said: “With our glorious coastline, rivers and canals, the UK is one of the best places in the world to get out on the water.

“Activities such as rowing, windsurfing and canoeing are great ways to keep fit and have fun.

“Our marine organisations and businesses are helping to drive up participation rates and I am particularly pleased that so many young people are getting involved and taking part in watersports.”

The Watersports Participation Survey is conducted annually by a consortium of leading marine bodies including British Marine, Royal Yachting Association (RYA), Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), British Canoeing (BC) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).

As Howard Pridding, Chief Executive Officer at British Marine, explains: “It is great to see young people being inspired by boating and watersports and taking up opportunities to get out on the water throughout the year. Whether it is the ever-growing enthusiasm for stand up paddleboarding or the continually popular sport of canoeing, these activities are proving an enticing way to get more people exploring the world of boating.

“We are confident that many people will continue to turn to the array of boating and watersports pastimes right on their doorstep as a great way to keep active and have fun with family and friends. We already see more UK adults participating in watersports activities at home, here in Britain, than we do abroad, and in the last year alone we have seen a significant shift in the majority of water-skiers and users of personal watercraft choosing to participate in the UK than overseas.”

To find out about the boating and watersports activities in your area visit the following sites:

 

¹ ‘The 12 core boating activities’ covers small sail boat racing, other small sail boat activities, yacht racing, yacht cruising, power boating, general motor boating/cruising, canal boating, canoeing, rowing/sculling, windsurfing, water skiing and wakeboarding and using personal watercraft.

² ‘Growing watersports activities’ covers surfing, bodyboarding, stand up paddleboarding and kitesurfing.

³ ‘Any water-based leisure activities’ covers the 12 boating activities¹, watersports activities: surfing, bodyboarding, stand up paddleboarding and kitesurfing and leisure activities: angling (any), freshwater angling, sea angling (from a kayak, from a private or rental boat, from a charter boat, from the shoreline), recreational sea fishing, cliff climbing, coastal walking, leisure time at the beach, outdoor swimming, leisure sub-aqua diving and coasteering.

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