New Members appointed to RYA Northern Ireland Board
Owen Waters, Gavin Nelson and Linda MacHugh have recently joined and will help to deliver the aims of the ‘Navigating the Future’ strategy.
Owen Waters is the managing director of a digital marketing agency and has been involved in sailing from a young age. He tells us about his motivation for joining the Board and his hopes for the future…
Profile on Owen Waters
Could you tell us a bit about your professional career?
I’m the managing director of a successful digital marketing agency. We’re a small team with global clients. We work with companies across Europe, UK and the USA.
Could you explain why you decided to join the RYANI board?
Sailing is a big part of my family heritage; I have been involved in many water sports communities all over the world from teaching water sports to running world cup events. Joining the RYA NI Board seems like a logical step, and I want to give back to communities that have been good to myself and my family. I really want to see the clubs and activities in NI as the envy of others in terms of what we can offer to water users through programmes, events, and training.
What do you hope to focus on in your role on the Board?
I am joining the Board with my marketing and water sports background. I’d like as many people as possible to experience the dynamic feel we all get as sailors or water sports enthusiasts.
We hope to see more people joining the RYA and getting involved in activities, training and getting on board, no matter the level.
Mostly I think the Board and RYA NI are an amazing team with a varied array of skillsets. It’s going to be great to see all of that working together in the year ahead.
Do you have any background in sailing?
Yes, from a young age as my family all sail. We enjoyed years of cruising together and then all got into racing and passages as we got older. My parents were keen racers across the Middle East, Caribbean and NI, my brother is a pro sailor in the States and I was a professional windsurfer and surfer for a good while. Being on the water took us to different countries, shaped our careers and rewarded us endlessly. It still does, I continue to enjoy all aspects of water sports and actively sail and surf in NI, it’s one of the windiest places I have lived in.
What are you most excited about in joining the Board?
To see the creative ideas flow and make a positive difference to helping the RYA and its members in turn, it’s a great combination of people working together.
What do you think is the key priority for the sport going forward?
Performance and opportunity with access and good entry level for those keen to enjoy sailing and water sports. From first time sailor to pro, the opportunities need to be there as much as the other in other parts of the UK. Where we live has some of the most beautiful coasts and loughs in the world, it’s an ideal place to see sailing and water sports flourish. If we can communicate and share that passion, then we are getting the right message across.
