WHO ARE WE?
The University of St Andrews Sailing Club Dinghy Team has seen great success in competitions throughout the UK: our first team finished 11th at BUSA Finals in 2024 and is currently ranked 1st in Scotland. Whilst competitively active, the club also supports beginners, providing coaching during their Sunday sailing practices for those wishing to learn, try, and take up the sport.
The club’s fleet of dinghies, purchased in 2013, is in desperate need of replacing after years of wear and tear. Continuing to upgrade our fleet of boats is essential for this club's success, and the addition of six new Fireflies will allow the Sailing Club to:
- Continue to offer training of the highest quality to nationally recognized dinghy team sailors
- Provide resources for beginners’ sailing sessions for university students of all sailing levels
- Sell the current fleet to make a profit that will help sustain the new boats and act as a safety net for any unexpected costs the Club may incur
Since our final price target is quite high (see details below), this is the first in a series of fundraisers for new Firefly dinghies.
WHY ARE WE FUNDRAISING?
The University of St Andrews Sailing Club takes pride in supporting four dinghy teams that participate in SSS (Scottish Student Sailing) and BUSA (British University Sailing Association) team racing and fleet racing events. The Club welcomes sailors from across the world, including individuals that have previously represented their home countries in regional and world championships.
Our aim is to deliver the highest quality training and competition possible in a university Sailing Club, so that we continue to attract top-tier sailors from across the globe.
The Sailing Club currently has a fleet of six Rondar Fireflies, the boat class used for BUSA and SSS team racing events. The Club acquired our current fleet in 2013. After a decade of wear and tear, which is the longest recommended lifespan to maintain high quality team racing dinghies, the fleet is due for an upgrade.
The Sailing Club uses the fleet for dinghy team training and at multiple events every year. Many of these events are hosted by other universities, which means the boats are towed on a triple stacker trailer. Over the past nine years, the Club’s Fireflies have deteriorated from the wear and tear of training, racing, and transportation. Since last year, the boats have also been used for beginners' sessions, in which club members teach the basics of double handed boats to novice sailors.
To prolong the lifespan of a new fleet and to ensure they are kept to a high standard, the club will sell their current fleet to provide them with a maintenance fund. The market for used Fireflies is small, so ensuring that the boats don’t accumulate any further damage in the coming months is essential to minimize depreciation.
how you can help
We’re currently working on connecting with larger donors through the Sailing Club’s sponsorship scheme. However, most of our fundraising will be done through crowdfunding, meaning that every donation, no matter how large or small, will help.Help by:
- Donating directly to the fundraiser
- Sharing the fundraiser with friends, family, or potential sponsors
- Registering as a follower of our fundraiser to stay updated on our progress
The first stage of our fundraiser will be open until the 15th of September, 2025. Your donation will make an impact on sailors of all skill levels and enable the Sailing Club to continue fostering a love for the lifelong sport of sailing for many years to come.
WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?
- Fleet of 6* Ovington Fireflies: £55,440
- Launch trollies (6): £2,520
- Boat covers (6): £1,260
If you would like to make a larger donation, please do not hesitate to contact Hannah Nightingale, h17nightingale@gmail.com, or the St Andrews Development Officer, Katie Birrell, kjb21@st-andrews.ac.uk.
We hope to see our club continue to grow and rank highly in Scottish, British, and international events. Additionally, we hope to maximize the impact of our beginners' sailing sessions, so that new sailors graduate from St Andrews with essential skills and a lifelong passion for sailing.
Thank you for contributing to our project!
WHERE TO FIND US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UStASailing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ustasailing/
*To comply with racing regulations, the club must replace all six dinghies at the same time, to ensure that all six boats are of equal specification, quality, and class. When competing, the home team will race in three boats from the fleet the fleet, whilst their competitors will race in the other three.
