21/08/2026
Great news for the leisure marine sector according to the latest Watersports Participation Survey by Paddle UK, in partnership with British Marine, Cefas, RNLI and Royal Yachting Association. The survey which was completed by more than 12,000 adults in the UK suggests the appetite for getting on the water is growing. 🌊
A few numbers that caught our attention:
📈 77% of UK adults surveyed took part in at least one watersport or coastal activity in 2025.
🌊 80% said they would like to take part more often.
🏄♀️ Paddlesports participation has risen from 18% in 2023 to 24% in 2025.
⛵ Sailing participation has reached 13%, while manual watersports such as paddle boarding, kayaking and open water swimming, have grown to 27%.
According to the findings, it’s younger adults helping to drive participation, with 82% of 16–34 year olds surveyed taking part in a watersport or coastal activity last year.
For the leisure marine sector, these are strong signals that the appetite for time on the water is growing. There is a very real opportunity to convert this interest in accessible watersports into lifelong participation, while making sure people have access to the training, resources and safety advice they need to enjoy it confidently.
There’s plenty more to explore in the survey, including what motivates people to get on the water, where they participate and the role of water safety.
👉 Read the full report here: https://paddleuk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/shared-files/british-canoeing-central-documents/WSPS-2025-Exec-summary_external.pdf?utm_source=marineindustrynews.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial
