Survey shows nine per cent rise in 2011


The number of people who took to the water in 2011 was up on the previous year’s figures.

3.2 million UK adults participated in either sailing, motorboating, canoeing, rowing, water-skiing or windsurfing, up 300,000 on 2010, according to the Watersports and Leisure Participation Survey.

The survey also revealed that under 35 years old are the most active watersport participants and 1.7 men participate to every woman.

RYA sport development manager Jon White said: ‘It is very encouraging to see an increase in participation levels in boating.

‘We hope to see this figure increase even further in 2012, a year where the profile of the sport has never been so high. We will be working hard to inspire even more people to get out on the water and to do so regularly.’