Published on: 07 July 2022
- 5.7m – Number of additional UK adults trying any boating activity 2021 v 2020
- 5.45m – Number of additional UK adults participating in any boating activity one or two times 2021 v 2020
- 240K – Number of additional UK adults participating in any boating activity three or more times 2021 v 2020
According to new research, there has been massive growth in the number of people participating in watersports during the pandemic.
The annual Watersports Participation Survey 2021 shows that some 12.7m UK adults tried a boating activity in 2021, with approximately 11.8m people taking part in one or more boating activities* once or twice in 2021, almost doubling from 2020.
The number of people taking part more frequently in on-water activities (3+ times) also increased slightly.
“During 2021, more than ever, leisure time was being spent outdoors and with the severe restrictions on international travel, lots of people headed to the coast to make the most of the good weather.
“Although the report tells us that the number of regular participants has remained almost static, we’ve seen boating organisations, marinas and retailers remaining busy during the pandemic as they accommodate newcomers to the sport,” explains RYA Director of Sport Development, Rob Clark.
Lesley Robinson, CEO, British Marine, added: “Growth in participation is great news for the sector and it is fantastic to see more people than ever enjoying these fun, on-water activities. We hope that those people who have enjoyed getting out on the water for the first time over the last year have whet their appetites to come back for more in the future.
“There are so many opportunities available to people to try a whole host of watersports, from onthewater helping you find watersports providers and hire boat operators in your local area to opportunities to ‘Try a boat’ or ‘Get Afloat’ at the Southampton International Boat Show, hopefully we will see those newcomers turn into regular participants over the coming year.”
The activities which showed the biggest growth included personal watercraft, paddle sports and dinghy sailing.
Read the Watersports Participation Survey 2021.
The survey covers participation from October 2020 to September 2021. A full year when the UK was dealing with the pandemic. Covid-19 enforced a significant change to the method of gathering data for the annual watersports survey, from face-to-face in 2019 and earlier, to online in 2020 and 2021. The upward trend between 2020 and 2021 is on a like-for-like basis and significant.
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) Canal and River Trust and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).
* The core boating activities include small sailboat 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.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For more information please contact: British Marine Press Team – pr@britishmarine.co.uk
