The Green Blue has today launched its annual sustainability challenge for university sailing clubs (USCs).
The Green Blue University Sustainability Challenge seeks to harness the greenest, low impact clubs from across the country. The Challenge is a key part of the environmental programme’s outreach to enable a more sustainable recreational boating community.
The competition encourages students to evaluate the impact of their activities and to begin implementing more sustainable alternatives.
For a second year running the Challenge is being sponsored by watersports equipment and clothing brand, Rooster. Kate Morrison, Product Design and Marketing Manager, said:
“We are thrilled to announce our continued support for The Green Blue University Sailing Sustainability Challenge for the second consecutive year. This initiative aligns perfectly with Rooster’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Through the Challenge, we aim to inspire and empower students to embrace sustainable practices in both their daily lives and in their boating experiences.
“Together, we can form a course towards a greener and more sustainable future, and we’re excited to be a part of this journey.”
Starting off at Bronze level, there are four challenge levels for the USCs to work their way through: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The USCs have until February to complete their level’s criteria before the successful clubs are invited to the award ceremony at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show. Each award-winning USC will be entered into a draw to win vouchers, sponsored by Rooster.
Commenting on the launch of this year’s Challenge, Olivia Wells, RYA Sustainability Officer, and challenge coordinator, said:
“We’re delighted to be able to welcome Rooster back as this year’s Challenge sponsors. New for this year is the Rooster Reel challenge, when we will ask students to demonstrate, via a Reel, examples of sustainability best practices related to The Green Blue Boating Pledge. The USCs are always very creative, so we’re excited to see what they produce!
“To see clubs return year-on-year to the Challenge and watching them develop through the four levels is fantastic to see – it remains incredibly popular with the university sailing clubs. So far, this year we’ve already had nineteen clubs sign-up to take part.”
You can track the progress of this year’s participating clubs on social media by following: #GreenBlueUniChallenge and @TheGreenBlue on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and @The_Green_Blue on Instagram.
To find out more about the Challenge, or to sign-up your USC to take part, visit the University Sailing Sustainability Challenge page, or email: environment@rya.org.uk.
