The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has launched a new partnership with circular sports marketplace kitround to encourage sailors across the UK to donate unwanted sailing equipment and extend the lifespan of technical kit.
The collaboration aims to reduce waste in the sport by creating a dedicated route for pre-owned sailing gear, including wetsuits, drysuits, spray tops, gloves, boots, and other technical clothing, to be resold, redistributed, or donated.
The Certified B Corp organisation kitround, specialises in keeping sports equipment in circulation by helping athletes and organisations resell and donate new and used kit, reducing the amount of textiles sent to landfill.
Kate Fortnam, RYA sustainability manager, comments: “Extending the life of sailing kit is one of the simplest and most effective ways we can reduce our sport’s environmental footprint. By partnering with kitround, we’re turning unused kit into real impact – keeping equipment in circulation, reducing waste and helping to make participation in sailing more accessible.”
The partnership forms part of the RYA’s wider sustainability strategy, including its involvement in the Sustainable Sports Apparel Charter launched by 5Thread, which aims to address challenges around overproduction, underuse and disposal of sports clothing in the UK.
It is also supported by the RYA’s ongoing relationship with Musto, the official clothing partner of the RYA and British Sailing Team, which continues to focus on innovation and sustainability in technical performance apparel.
Adam Stevens, co-founder of kitround, says: “This partnership shows what’s possible when sustainability and accessibility work together. By giving sailing kit a second life, we’re not just cutting waste – we’re lowering the barriers that stop people getting into the sport in the first place.”
He adds: “As a Certified B Corp, working with organisations like the RYA and their community who are genuinely embedding sustainability into their sport is exactly the kind of partnership kitround was built for.”
As part of the partnership, the RYA will continue expanding its collection of preloved sailing kit at selected events throughout the year. Collection points will be available at events including the 2026 iQFOiL World Championships, RYA Connected Events and the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show.
Sailors can also donate equipment directly to kitround via email at donatesailingkit@kitround.com. Suitable items will be listed through kitround’s circular marketplace in a dedicated RYA kitshop, allowing them to be reused by the sailing community.
Proceeds from donated kit sales will support the RYA Foundation, which funds initiatives designed to help more people from all backgrounds access sailing and watersports.
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