About Us

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the UK Governing Body for sail and powerboat racing and the UK national authority for all forms of recreational and competitive boating including sailing, windsurfing, motor cruising, powerboating, sportsboating, inland boating and personal watercraft.

The Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland (RYANI) acts for the RYA in Northern Ireland (NI). The Chairman of RYANI is an ex-officio member of the RYA Council and one of its Directors. He/she is also invited to join the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) Policy Review Committee.

Sailing is a healthy outdoor sport and lifetime activity open to people of all ages and abilities and can be enjoyed at whatever level suits the individual participant from athletic high performance dinghy racing and windsurfing to recreational cruising. It teaches young people self reliance, team working and judgement and instils confidence in taking informed risks in what can be a challenging yet highly safety-conscious environment. The voluntary club culture also provides an important social amenity in its community.