Watersports Development in Portsmouth, 2025-2035

Introduction

Imagine Portsmouth 2040 aspires to:

• A healthy and happy city – enhancing wellbeing
• A city rich in culture – enabling the most of our location as a great waterfront
• A green city – protecting and enhancing our environment for the future[1]

The Portsmouth Plan confirms the key role that partners play in delivering the Council’s overall strategy by way of ‘Team Portsmouth’.  This acknowledges the role of stakeholders across the city and the importance of working together to achieve transformation.  There are three strands to the plan’s mission to work together with partners and communities to:

• Champion and celebrate our city
• Improve the lives of our residents
• Enhance our environment[2]

The Watersports Strategy has a key role to play against these aims.  The strategy sets out the current provision of watersports in the city together with upcoming opportunities.  Working collaboratively with partner organisations and subject specialists will be essential to deliver against the opportunities.

Whilst local government reorganisation is on the horizon, the geography of the city as an island community with a vibrant seafront means that a refreshed strategy will continue to be relevant and necessary.

The previous Watersports Development plan was adopted by the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport in March 2016.[3]  The plan indicated how the Council would make best use of its resources to support watersports development in the city.

The Parks and Open Spaces Strategy was adopted in February 2024, and, as some time had passed since the watersports plan, consideration was included in this strategy as to watersports forming part of the seafront ‘blue space’.  The strategy noted recent developments by the Council and partners regarding watersports opportunities.

The previous Seafront Strategy 2010-2026 proceeded to Cabinet on 8 March 2010.[4]  An update was then taken to Culture, Leisure and Sport Committee on 10 March 2011[5] and again on 31 January 2020.[6]  This strategy is due review and the refresh of the watersports strategy forms part of this workstream.

Scope

This document focuses on outdoor watersports activity.  Indoor facility swimming is outside scope.  For more information on the development of indoor facility swimming, please refer to the Council’s Strategic Outcomes Planning Guidance document for Sport and Physical Activity in Portsmouth.[7]  This sets out the indoor facility mix for swimming, and future development plans in this regard.

Each year there are over 9.1 million visits to Portsmouth’s seafront.[8]  However, this only accounts for the Portsmouth waterfront at Southsea.  Whilst this area attracts high profile events, such as the European Kite Foiling Championships and Ocean Race Europe, watersports opportunities also include other areas of the waterfront around the city, such as the stretch from Tipner to Portsbridge Creek, including Hilsea Lido.  There are also opportunities for watersports recreation down the eastern side, looking over to Langstone and Hayling.

National context

In 2025, Key Cities published their On The Waterfront report on coastal communities in association with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Key Cities.[9]  Within the report, four recommendations were made, to: (1) Engage with coastal communities in co-producing local  public services and place strategies for economic development and environmental protection; (2) Ensure that coastal communities are protected from harm and disadvantage; (3) Create opportunities for our coastal communities to play their part economically, culturally and socially; and (4) Unlock the potential of our coastal communities.

Sports development nationally is led by Sport England.  Since the release of their 10 year strategy in 2021, Uniting the Movement, they have invested over £700 million with investment partners.  For the relevance of this document, this includes:[10]

Swim England	£16.4 million
Royal Yachting Association (RYA)	£10 million
Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing)	£10 million
Energise Me (Hampshire & IOW)	£3.9 million
British Waterski & Wakeboard	£1.2 million
Surfing England	£998,000

 

Uniting The Movement includes Sport England’s implementation plan for 2022- 2025 which contains the following principles:

• Inclusive, safe and accessible experiences;
• Seeking out and involving those less likely to be active;
• Positive experiences for children & young people;
• Environmental sustainability.

In 2022, the RYA published their Watersports Participation Survey[11].  The main findings of this survey were:

• Casual participation in watersports has boosted overall UK participation (less emphasis on owning equipment);
• Infrequent participation has grown at a stronger rate than frequent participation (a culture of people trying out new activities);
• Manual and paddle watersports show strong growth. This includes kitesurfing, kitefoiling, stand up paddleboard, canoeing and rowing.
• Under 55s are the most active age group to participate in watersports.

Participation is supported by national campaigns encouraging people of all backgrounds to engage in sport.  The campaign This Girl Can began in 2015 and advocates to break down barriers and get women and girls active, with funding from the National Lottery via Sport England.  It aims to work across all areas of the sport and physical activity sector to bring opportunity for women and girls from all backgrounds.

Many of the watersports governing bodies belong to the Clean Water Sports Alliance which advocates for ‘healthy and nature rich blue spaces’ for everyone to enjoy.  The Alliance has 3 priorities in the years up to 2030:

• Further and faster action on pollution
• Enable people to make real time informed choices about where and when to participate
• Recognition of all recreational water users

National Governing Bodies

For the purposes of this document, the relevant governing bodies recognised by Sport England are:

• The Angling Trust;
• Paddle UK (canoeing);
• British Dragon Boat Racing Association;
• British Rowing;
• Royal Yachting Association;
• British Sub-Aqua Club;
• Surfing England;
• Swim England;
• British Triathlon;
• British Waterski and Wakeboard

Swim England in this context is referred to with reference to their support for Open Water swimming only (not indoor swimming).[12]

The Royal Yachting Association have identified Portsmouth as one of their target growth areas resulting in increased activity as and when opportunities arise.

Local Context

Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)

The Indices of Multiple Deprivation are a useful tool that measure deprivation in Portsmouth, and in particular by looking at specific areas, known as Lower Strategic Output Areas (LSOAs). These are the individual smaller areas that make up the larger wards.[13] The coastal wards such as Eastney and Craneswater, Baffins, Copnor and St. Jude’s are the areas in which water sports are most likely to occur and will help inform the access to services and health and wellbeing in the city.

The Eastney and Craneswater ward has varied deprivation rankings. The most deprived area in Eastney and Craneswater has a rank of 11,993 out of 32,844 LSOAs, with 1 being the most deprived. Similar rankings can also be seen from the coastal LSOAs in St. Jude’s and St Thomas’ wards. Hilsea ward has higher deprivation, with the western, coastal end having a ranking of 5,755.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment is an assessment of the local requirements of the community in terms of their health and wellbeing and contains useful indicators related to physical activity in the city.[14]  The most recent published JSNA is for the year 2022/23.

 

Portsmouth suffers from elevated levels of obesity, with 69.8% of Portsmouth adults in 2022/23 considered overweight or obese. The rest of England, on average, is lower with 64%.  Additionally, 17.7% of adults in Portsmouth are considered physically inactive, according to the JSNA.[15] Childhood obesity is also considered a key factor, with severe obesity in children at age 10-11 at 26.1% in St Thomas ward, 4% higher than the national average. Other coastal areas such as Copnor and Eastney / Craneswater have an average of 24% prevalence in childhood obesity, 2% higher than the national average.[16]

Obesity is also a contributory factor towards low life expectancy in the city. Life expectancy in the city varies by ward, with people on average living 9 years longer in Farlington and Drayton compared to Charles Dickens ward. Coastal wards are varied, with Copnor living on average 6 years longer than Charles Dickens ward, but St. Jude’s living 5 years shorter than Farlington and Drayton.[17]

 

Energise Me

Energise Me is a charity organisation and one of 42 active partnerships that work alongside national and local stakeholders in the country, operating in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.[18] The organisation drives forward physical activity campaigns and supports young people and inactive adults by offering search tools and ways of exploring local forms of activity. Energise Me also works alongside national governing bodies such as Sport England to engage with schools by managing the Active Lives survey for children and young people in Hampshire.[19]

 

Through the Uniting The Movement strategy by Sport England, Energise Me have been able to establish place partnerships with Southampton and Portsmouth.[20] The Portsmouth partnership has created a wealth of work for the Landport and Buckland communities, including the meeting of a steering group from stakeholders such as Portsmouth City Council, Pompey in the Community, University of Portsmouth, Motiv8 and more.[21] Energise Me also offer a number of funding opportunities and list where grants can be acquired related to participation in physical activity and projects that aim to encourage happy, healthy and strong communities.[22]

 

Watersports facilities in Portsmouth

Portsmouth has several watersports facilities across the city covering sailing, angling, and canoeing, highlighted on the map at appendix 2. The Andrew Simpson Centre, for example, provides a wide range of watersports courses and activities in sailing and paddlesports.[23]

 

There are specific clubs for sailing in Portsmouth such as the Portsmouth Sailing Club and Tudor Sailing Club. The latter also provides facilities for kayaking, rowing and sub-aqua through the Sub-Aqua Club (SSAC).[24] Kayaking facilities are offered by Dawn’s Sunset Kayaking which operates every Tuesday and Thursday evenings.[25] Southsea Rowing Club operate from Clarence Esplanade and were founded in 1860 with a proud tradition of offering coastal rowing in the city.[26]

 

At Eastney, there are three organisations that operate including the Southsea Sea Angling Club which was founded in 1917. Members are offered access to Langstone Harbour and the mouth of the harbour out into the Solent.[27] The Eastney Cruising Association is a private members club  providing facilities for members to store boats for sailing, fishing and diving in the same area at the mouth of Langstone Harbour.[28] At Southsea Marina, Portsmouth Marine Training offer a variety of sailing, jet ski, power boat and motorboat cruises.[29]

 

Wetwheels operate in Gunwharf Quays and offer access to the water for disabled people of all ages.[30] South Coast Wakepark operate within the moat at Hilsea Lines at the site of the original boating lake and offer wakeboarding facilities.[31]

On the eastern edge of the city the Andrew Simpson Centre is a vibrant hub for sailing, watersports, and outdoor education. There are several Centres across the UK, under the umbrella of the Andrew Simpson Foundation.  One of the missions of the Andrew Simpson Foundation is to transform lives through sailing.

The Foundation, through the Centres, offers a variety of water based courses such as RYA sailing & powerboat courses and instructor development. It also offers sessions for windsurfing, foil sports, and paddle sports.

The Centre also offers charitable programmes and subsidised community initiatives via the Foundation, in addition to chargeable programmes.

Other Local Facilities

There are a few other facilities that operate in the Solent area and are based outside of Portsmouth.

The Portsmouth Canoe Club have facilities in Bedhampton near Havant and operate in the Portsmouth area.[32] Hayling Watersports operate as a rental service for watersports equipment.[33] The Havant area has its own watersports facilities, many of which use the water areas in Portsmouth. Gosport is similar, with organisations such as Red FIN Watersports, Stoked Watersports and Stokes Bay Sailing Club operating in Stokes Bay and Lee-On-Solent respectively.[34] The Stokes Bay area of Gosport still uses much of the same water area that makes up the Solent. Fareham also covers the areas of Hill Head and Stubbington, with the Hill Head Sailing Club operating along the coast from Lee-On-Solent.[35]

Sea Defences Project

The ongoing development of the Seafront under the Coastal Works scheme offers opportunity to enhance existing facilities as well as offer potential for future diversification of water sports activities.

The section of coast between Clarence Pier and Blue Reef Aquarium currently being worked on incorporates Southsea Rowing Club. Coastal erosion over a number of years had removed the shingle beach from around their club house leaving a precarious slipway for launching their rowing boats. Upon completion of the current section of works the club will benefit from a replenished beach and new slipway ensuring this popular club and facility can continue to thrive.

Works in 2027 through to 2028 will focus on the section of coast east of South Parade Pier as far as Coffee Cup where St George’s Road meets Eastney Esplanade. The works will include shingle replenishment and raised promenade and a likely re-development of the existing area of Food & Beverage outlets. The redeveloped space has the opportunity to support a new design of Food & Beverage outlet as well as providing the potential opportunity for watersports provision in a central seafront location with high footfall.

Planning and Environment

The key planning strategy for document for Portsmouth is the Portsmouth Local Plan.  The Pre Submission Portsmouth Local Plan was published in July 2024.[36]  The Plan references the importance of the seafront in the development of the cultural and visitor economy, together with the Seafront Masterplan.

The Seafront Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document[37] identifies that there is opportunity within the Eastney area to accommodate a watersports site.  This planning document also identifies that any development needs to be undertaken cognisant of the requirement to protect the city’s natural environment.

The Bird Aware Solent revised strategy was published in September 2024.[38]  This builds on the Solent Recreation Mitigation Strategy that was published in 2017.  The strategy identifies the importance of balancing the impact to bird disturbance which results from any increase in recreational visits to the area.  Part of the aim of the strategy is to educate the public about the key wildlife of the area and aim to use wildlife education guides to embed positive behaviours.

Likewise, the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy is a key information document[39] used to inform planning and development proposals.  The principles of the strategy are to conserve sites across the network that support over-wintering waterfowl in the area, protect the sites from recreational pressure and inform coastal stakeholders.

On 17 May 2022, a Motion for the Ocean was carried by Portsmouth City Council, which stated that ‘the ocean can play a vital role in our economic recovery and we must strive to develop a sustainable and equitable blue economy that delivers both ocean recovery and local prosperity.‘[40]

The report supporting the motion set out three principles of Clean, Safe and Active[41]:

Clean

• In Portsmouth, the seafront is a major attraction and clean beaches are important to support the local visitor economy.
• The Council participates in a regular forum with Southern Water, neighbouring local authorities, the MPs for the city and community representatives and works to improve public access to information about when and where water is released into the sea.

Safe

• The Council continues to collaborate with partners regarding water safety. This includes the installation of clear signage, safety equipment and other initiatives.  The Council also hosts the Water Safety Forum which brings together a range of stakeholders to ensure water safety measures are effective and up to date.  This also includes building water confidence, which is supported by the Council’s offer of access to free indoor swimming for under 12s at Council swimming pools.

Active

• The Council’s aim is for the waterfront to play a vibrant role in the life of the city. The Council will continue to highlight the economic advantages the coastal location of the city offers.  The Council will continue to promote watersports and events that celebrate our maritime setting, to make the most of the unique water front environment.

 

Water Quality

The council acknowledges the critical significance of maintaining high water quality, especially regarding environmental sustainability, economic growth, public health, well-being, and cultural enrichment.  The city’s bathing water locations are valuable assets to the local economy and provide substantial physical and mental health benefits that come from having clean coastal waters.  The social and cultural contributions of high-quality bathing waters are seen as essential to the lives of our residents, the success of local businesses, and the experience of visitors. The council is fully aware that any decline in water quality could have a detrimental effect on the city.

In January 2024, a report on water quality was taken to Cabinet.[42]  This followed a previous report in 2023 which set out concerns regarding bathing water quality at Southsea East beach.  Since that time, the Council has been working with the Environment Agency to undertake regular water sampling.  In December 2023, the Environment Agency had confirmed that for the 2024 bathing season, Southsea East beach was downgraded from ‘sufficient’ to ‘poor’ and the public were advised against sea bathing.

Progress has been made by the Bathing Water Quality working group which includes Council officers together with partner agencies Environment Agency, Southern Water and the Coastal Defence team.  Initial investigative work revealed several main and private drains to be blocked, which have since been cleared.  Further investigations have also been carried out with the purpose of identifying and eliminating possible sources of contamination.

In 2025 significant further progress was made with a cross-agency investigation into both the existing sewer network beneath the pier and historic pipe networks in a redundant toilet block beneath the entrance to the pier. The networks were mapped and a report produced highlighting a number of weaknesses in the network. In June 2025 remedial works took place to replace the section of sewer pipe beneath the shingle of the beach in high grade materials to ensure both integrity and longevity. Monitoring continues throughout the 2025 bathing season.

Water Safety Policy

The Council formally adopted a water safety policy at Cabinet in March 2024.[43]  This is a key policy in consideration of the geography of the city, being an island surrounded by water.  The aim of the policy is to confirm a consistent approach across all council controlled water environments and via a proactive management plan, reduce or mitigate risks.

The policy documentation analyses drowning risks across both coastal and inland water zones.  It takes on board recommendations from water safety professionals regarding risk assessment and control measures.  It also includes a consideration of water safety educational programmes.

In March 2025, an update on progress regarding the water safety policy was presented to Committee.[44]  In addition to the Water Safety Forum (that has been in existence and operational for some years) a new internal Council stakeholder group has been established which discusses responsibilities across locations throughout the year.  Following expert guidance as set out in the water management policy, at various locations large life rings have been replaced with throw lines.  The contract with the RNLI has also been extended, to provide continued confidence for public open water sea swimming.  The report includes that for 2024 through the work of RNLI, public engagement saw 6527 preventative actions, but only 31 low level incidents, and no serious incidents.

During the course of the Coastal Defences project, the water safety consultant (Atlantic Crest) is engaged to advise on each new section for the purpose of personal rescue equipment (PRE) and signage.  As such, water safety is built in as a high priority to the design and delivery of the coastal defences programme.

 

Theme 1 – Safety

Portsmouth is unique in the UK as the only island city in the country and completely surrounded by water. Water safety is therefore at the heart of all decision making when it comes to the coastline and the activities that take place on or around water.

On each side of the island city there are natural harbours with two of the strongest tidal flows in the country further highlighting the need for a strong water safety focus in order to keep residents, visitors, and those enjoying water based hobbies safe from the risks of drowning.

All year round sea swimming is a strong feature of the seafront with a number of informal groups partaking in the benefits and therapies of cold water swimming. In recognition of this popular pastime in waters frequented by leisure boat traffic a series of swim buoys were placed along the central stretch of the seafront allowing the sea swimming community the confidence to swim safely with minimised risk of encountering boat traffic.

The strong focus on water safety is also highlighted by the contracted beach lifeguarding service with the RNLI. This service operates across July and August each year giving beach visitors the confidence they can swim at the beach under the supervision of trained lifeguards. They currently operate at two central locations with a third location covered subject to ongoing water quality improvements.

The Water Safety Forum consists of key management organisations such as King’s Harbour Master, Langstone Harbour Board, the MCA, RNLI and a number of other organisations with an active interest in water safety responsibilities such as the volunteer lifeguards, Southsea Rowing Club, and the National Coastwatch Institution.

The meetings across the high season give an opportunity for each organisation to update on their observations in relation to user groups in their area of water and to highlight any new matters arising.  An area of particular interest in summer is Old Portsmouth where a number of historic structures and commercial quaysides attract the attention of young people.

Whilst the risk varies around the coast the council provide a consistent application of signage and personal rescue equipment (PRE) to guide people to best practice and provide means of first response rescue should someone get into difficulty. PRE and signage are checked at regular intervals to ensure this aspect of water safety is monitored and provision remains available in event of emergency.

Theme 2 – Inclusivity

 

Securing access onto the beach has been achieved at specific points along the seafront with the deployment of mobile wooden walkways which have the capacity to flex with the changing sea levels.  Whilst it has not been possible to instal these across the length of the shingle they have made it possible for people with a wide range of mobility issues to access the beach and enjoy time on the shingle.

Where practical these walkways have been installed at points where there is suitable disabled parking and appropriate toilet facilities, and they have been complimented by the installation of a small number of accessible beach huts which have incorporated different adaptations for wheelchair users again so they can fully access and enjoy the beach area.

However despite researching a number of different options it remains very difficult to provide access for people with disabilities into the sea.  A number of key elements make the beach area especially challenging for this including the steepness of the shingle bank at the mean high water mark and the constant movement of the shingle which is reprofiling after the coastal defence works.  Alternative options such as ramped access have been trialled and the users who have tried these have successfully got into the water however the steepness of the shingle is a significant barrier to people being able to exit the water safely and get back onto the shore.

Council Officers are optimistic that the remaining coastal works will provide an opportunity to address this further to provide a longer term solution to this issue.

Theme 3 – Recreation and watersports

Former Eastney Swimming Pool site

Eastney swimming pool was closed in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. The building was reaching end of life in regards to economic repair and a decision was made not to re-open the facility post-pandemic and an alternative indoor pool and sports facility to be built at Bransbury Park.

The prime seafront location of the redundant pool site provides an opportunity to explore the creation of a watersports hub to support the growing demand for on-water activities such as kiteboarding, and kitesurfing, amongst other similar disciplines.

The expanse of open water away from the busy shipping traffic associated with the western side of the city offers the ideal area to support these emerging watersports as demonstrated by the succesful hosting of the European Kitesurfing Championships in 2023.

Hilsea Lido

By the early 2000s Hilsea Lido had fallen into deterioration, but as a 1930s lido it was and remains an important part of the city’s cultural heritage and leisure offer.  The Lido is owned by the local authority but was subject to community asset transfer in 2009 when Hilsea Pool for the People Trust took a long lease and responsibility for management and operation of the site.  In 2021, the local authority was successful in securing an award of funding from the government’s Levelling Up Fund to develop the Hilsea Linear Park concept of which the Lido was a key part.

In 2022 a public consultation was carried out with a view to understanding the community’s desires for the future of the site to inform the redevelopment works.

The outcomes of the consultation were:

• Open the Lido more often for everyone to enjoy
• Explore the potential to heat part of the pool
• Include a food and drink option
• Provide play equipment
• Make the Lido welcome and accessible
• Improve shower, toilet and changing facilities
• Make the Lido as affordable as possible

Refurbishment is underway and key features in the proposed design are:

• Refurbished pool, plant and filtration
• Improved changing, shower and locker facilities
• Upgraded toilets, including accessible and Changing Places provision
• Restored entrances, greening, seated and shaded areas

Sea Lanes in partnership with South Downs Leisure have now been confirmed as the operator and will take responsibility for food, beverage and events at the venue.  The new operator will also take on the running of the popular Hilsea Splashpool and will continue to ensure this is a financially accessible attraction.

Some aspirations for the site have been explored but are not deliverable at this stage:

• Whilst it has been considered as part of the engineering design, it was not possible to heat the pool within the financial envelope available to the project
• The funding envelope does not provide for installations for jumping or diving at the site, but these recreational features could be considered at a future point.
• The main pool building will not be refurbished presently as the current funding envelope focusses on the main pool, facilities and surrounds as a priority.

The lido is scheduled to open in spring 2026 to coincide with the city centenary.

The overall focus on attracting high quality water based activities to Portsmouth has resulted in a number of high profile events taking place in the city in recent years so enabling a variety of water activities to be highlighted.

In September 2023 the European Formula Kite Championships took place from Eastney beach with the successful delivery of both European men and women’s races.  As the last qualifying event before the 2024 Paris Olympics it was an opportunity for these highly skilled athletes to demonstrate their skills resulting in a spectacular event.

Attracting high quality events has continued into 2025 with the city securing the SailGP adrenaline fuelled races for a weekend in July, resulting in international media coverage for Portsmouth against the spectacular background of the Solent.  The summer has continued with the delivery of both a stopping point for The Ocean Race Europe and the start of the Clipper round the world race.

Theme 4 – Destination marketing

Under the current government’s devolution plans, tourism and destination strategy is planned to be aggregated up as part of a future strategic authority.  In the meantime, Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council and Portsmouth City Council formed a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), under the new destination marketing model which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport instructed Visit England to develop and administer in 2023.[45]

A decision report by Hampshire County Council in January 2025 confirmed that following preliminary work by the respective authorities, an application was made to Visit England for a LVEP for Hampshire and the Solent.[46]  Accreditation from Visit England for the new LVEP was confirmed on 6 May 2025.[47]  The LVEP will work alongside the Isle of Wight LVEP.

The intention of the LVEP is to unify and target marketing initiatives at a more regional level.  Without a LVEP, Visit England will not provide marketing support to a region.  A LVEP does not provide direct funding, however without a LVEP the requisite local authorities are not able to bid for funding or support from Visit England.  Tourism South East are the accountable body for the LVEP.

The LVEP development is relevant to the watersports development as it means that the region, and individual visitor attractions in Portsmouth, the great waterfront city, can benefit from targeted marketing to broader audience.

The vision and objectives of the LVEP are relevant to watersports development:

• Vision – to enhance the visitor experience and benefit local communities
• Objectives – to promote local attractions, increase visibility and attraction of local destinations, to support local businesses in the tourism sector and to promote practices to preserve natural and cultural heritage.

The decision report referenced above states that the LVEP will have impact on the physical and mental health of local residents who enjoy attractions in the area and it will also bring benefits in terms of social capital by providing and enhancing events and activities for local people.

Notwithstanding the LVEP, the city’s Visit Portsmouth brand will continue with marketing delivered locally for the benefit of the city.

Value of attractions to the visitor economy

Watersports provision will enhance the current leisure offer in the city, both to residents and visitors from outside the city.  It will contribute to the economic health of the city by way of both primary and secondary spend.  The latest figures from Tourism South East May 2024 report[48] note the value of tourism spend in 2023 at £721 million, attributable to 12.4 million visitors.  Of this, local employment supported by the visitor economy accounts to over 12,000 jobs (6975 FTE).

Early statistics being collated following the recent SailGP event highlight:

• 98% of ticket holders visited Portsmouth specifically for the event and 42% of these fans stayed in Portsmouth for one or more nights
• Among those overnight visitors, 85% stayed between 1 and 3 nights

 

These early statistics clearly demonstrate the economic impact such events have on the city and the wider benefits of hosting them.

 

Theme 5 – Education

Youth Sport Trust

The Youth Sport Trust is a UK charity that, through play and sport, aims to improve education and development of every child.  The strategy of Youth Sport Trust for 2022-2035 is to:

1. Build back happier, healthier and more resilient young people and to level opportunities;
2. Balance the demands of the digital age through the human connection of play and sport;
3. Transform society’s attitudes towards the importance of physical literacy, play and sport regarding the education and development of young people.[49]

Early in 2025 Youth Sport Trust published their annual report.[50]
The key findings of this report are that:

• Physical activity levels have stagnated globally across the UK
• 1 in 10 children are classed as obese or at risk of obesity in the UK
• 1 in 10 young people have low wellbeing in the UK
• Only 39% children and young people with 2 or more characteristics of inequality meet the physical activity guidelines compared to 51% of those without these characteristics
• 70% of parents believe that as a result of digital distractions, children are spending less time being active.

The report sets out the following benefits to children through provision of outdoor activity:

Physical health	Mental wellbeing	Social wellbeing	School outcomes
Improved physical health and fitness	Better mental health	Reduced loneliness	Improved learning & memory
Improved sleep	Improved resilience	Increased feeling of belonging	Positive improvements to academic attainment & emotional regulation
	Reduction in depressive symptoms	Increased confidence to interact with others	Improved engagement in learning
		Improved self-belief
		Improved teamwork & communication

 

Many of the above outcomes can be progressed through watersports taster provision as benefits related to sports participation.

 

Portsmouth Sail Training Trust at Andrew Simpson Centre

Portsmouth Sail Training Trust[51] works in partnership with Andrew Simpson Foundation to harness water and land based training to develop confidence, teamwork and leadership.  This includes RYA accredited qualifications.

The aims of the Trust are:

• To enable young people to reach their full potential. By participating in sailing and boating programmes which provide opportunities for personal growth, confidence, self-esteem and self-management.
• To equip young people with confidence and skills to build resilience, diligence, personal responsibility and positive attitudes.
• Through sail training, to instil values of integrity, responsibility, empathy and perseverance.
• To develop resilience, determination and courage to enhance life chances and opportunities for success in the future.

There are four routes via which further enquiries can be made:

School registration	Parent referrals	Mariners Club	Visit
Schools are encouraged to get in touch to arrange specific goals through collaborative working	Parents are encouraged to get in touch if their children are experiencing behavourial, educational or social challenges	For young people who have participated in the sailing programme, they can join the Mariners Club for further activities	Enquiries can be made to meet with the Trust in person

 

In order to address actual and perceived financial challenges to on-water activities the Council have required all large scale events coming to Portsmouth to provide an education and outreach programme which has targeted some of our harder to reach communities.  Working with the RYA and other partners such as the Andrew Simpson Foundation the Council have supported the delivery of ‘beach clubs’ in association with both the European Formula Kite Surfing Championships and the SailGP event which has enabled a number of Portsmouth young people to access on-water sailing and wing surfing activities.  The most recent SailGP event saw over 220 young people accessing sailing in an area just outside of the main racing event site – many for the first time.

 

Appendix 1 – Stakeholder listing

Andrew Simpson Foundation

Boat Club Trafalgar
Eastney Cruising Association

Langstone Harbour Board

Locks Sailing Club
Portsmouth Watersports Centre, Andrew Simpson
Portsmouth Sailing Club
Portsmouth Sailing Training Trust
Portsmouth Canoe Club

Portsmouth Disability Forum

Royal Yachting Association
Southsea Sub Aqua Club
Sailability, Royal Yachting Association|
Southsea Sea Anglers
Southsea Rowing Club
Sport England

Tall Ships Youth Trust
Tudor Sailing Club
University of Portsmouth Rowing Club
University of Portsmouth Sailing Club
WetWheels Solent CIC

Appendix 2 – Facilities map

Map of water sports facilities:

Key points shown:

• Southsea Rowing Club.
• South Coast Wakepark.
• Andrew Simpson Centre, Tudor Sailing Club, Southsea Sub-Aqua Club and Dawn’s Sunset Kayaking.
• Portsmouth Sailing Club.
• Eastney Cruising Association, Southsea Sea Angling Club, Portsmouth Marine Training.
• Wetwheels Solent CIC.

 

[1] Imagine Portsmouth VIsion 2040 Infographic

[2] Corporate Plan 2024 – 2026

[3] Developing Watersport in Portsmouth 2016

[4] cab20100308a.pdf

[5] cls20110310r8.pdf

[6] Information report – Seafront Strategy Review.pdf

[7] Strategic Outcomes Plan for Sport and Physical Activity in Portsmouth.pdf

[8] Portsmouth Visitor Survey 2024.

[9] Key-Cities-On-the-waterfront-March-2025.pdf

[10] Long-term partnerships | Sport England

[11] Watersports participation survey

[12] Home of Open Water Swimming | Swim England

[13] Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – Index of Multiple Deprivation (2019)

[14] Portsmouth City Council – Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.

[15] Portsmouth City Council – Health and Wellbeing (JSNA).

[16] Department for Health and Social Care – Public Health Data.

[17] Department for Health and Social Care – Public Health Data.

[18] Energise Me – About Energise Me

[19] Energise Me – Active Lives Children and Young People Survey

[20] Energise Me – Place partnership working

[21] Energise Me – Where in Portsmouth?

[22] Energise Me – Small Grants

[23] Andrew Simpson Centre – Home.

[24] Tudor Sailing Club – Southsea Sub-Aqua Club.

[25] Visit Portsmouth – Dawn’s Sunset Kayaking

[26] Southsea Rowing Club – Home

[27] Southsea Sea Angling Club – Home.

[28] Eastney Cruising Association – Home

[29] Portsmouth Marine Training – Home

[30] Wetwheels – About Us

[31] South Coast Wakepark – About Us

[32] Portsmouth Canoe Club – Home

[33] Hayling Watersports – Home

[34] Red FIN Watersports – Home; Stokes Bay Sailing Club – Home; Stoked Watersports – Home

[35] Hill Head Sailing Club – Home;

[36] Pre-submission Portsmouth Local Plan

[37] Seafront Masterplan – Appendix 2 – Supplementary Planning Document.pdf

[38] Bird Aware Solent Revised Strategy September 2024 – Bird Aware Solent

[39] solent-waders-brent-goose-strategy-2024.pdf

[40] Agenda for Full Council on Tuesday, 17th May, 2022, 10.00 am Portsmouth City Council

[41] Ocean Recovery Declaration – Update of Progress.pdf

[42] Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 9th January, 2024, 2.00 pm Portsmouth City Council

[43] Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 5th March, 2024, 2.00 pm Portsmouth City Council

[44] Agenda for Cabinet Member – The Leader (Culture, Regeneration and Economic Development Portfolio) on Friday, 21st March, 2025, 10.00 am Portsmouth City Council

[45] Local Visitor Economy Partnership Programme

[46] Hampshire Prosperity Partnership Board-2025-01-23-EMH2050 Decision Day

[47] National exposure to boost Portsmouth tourism – Portsmouth City Council

[48] Draft report

[49] What We Do – Youth Sport Trust

[50] Youth Sport Trust — PE and School Sport — The Annual Report 2025

[51] Sail Training Trust (STT) – Raising aspirations for young people