Participants are generally young and may be having their first experience of boating.

Information targeted at children, as well as encouraging responsibility from an early age, may also reach their boating parents

Some dinghy sailors (and nearly always those engaged in racing) capsize from time to time.

Many participants are aware of environmental issues, particularly in relation to water quality concerns (Surfers Against Sewage has been an effective lobby group promoting improvements in water quality on behalf of ‘immersion’ sports), and are likely to prove receptive to environmental information.

Participants are more likely to be associated with clubs or national bodies.

Education programmes run in conjunction with sailing clubs and equipment suppliers are likely to be the most effective media for reaching participants.

If byelaws are necessary the involvement of local clubs is essential to ensure the transfer of information to the end user and to aid with enforcement of the regulation. Byelaws are very location specific and strategies for providing information should reflect this.

Tuition is often undertaken to gain the general skills required for the activity.

Environmental information provided by trainers is likely to be effective in reaching target audience.

Slipways or moorings are not necessary to enable water access, although the former are used. Craft are also kept at sailing clubs or carried by car to access points. Access points usually have car parking facilities.

Known access points to the water or car parks used by participants may be effective locations for promoting environmental information.

The main targeted publication for this activity is Yachts and Yachting with a circulation of 45,000. There are also a large number of informal class association magazines with limited circulation.

Education programmes run in conjunction with user magazines can raise awareness of marine environmental issues and management schemes.

This activity is male orientated (80%).

Participants are generally young with 68% in the age range 17-34, 12% are students.

Participants are likely to have a strong sense of independence and are sometimes characterised as "loners".

Windsurfing is an immersion sport with participants spending at least a proportion of time in the water.

Many participants are aware of environmental issues, particularly in relation to water quality concerns (Surfers Against Sewage has been an effective lobby group promoting improvements in water quality on behalf of ‘immersion’ sports), and are likely to prove receptive to environmental information.

They are less likely to be associated with local clubs and/or the national representative body, the Royal Yachting Association. All participants will at some point deal directly with the marine industry (e.g. chandlers, equipment suppliers etc.).

Environmental information developed in conjunction with windsurfing equipment suppliers is likely to be an effective way of reaching participants as these organisations will have direct contact with the end users and are generally considered credible sources of information about the activity.

Voluntary zoning can be effective but needs to be developed in conjunction with local clubs or industry to ensure success.

If byelaws are introduced the involvement of local clubs and industry is essential to ensure the transfer of information to the end user and to aid with enforcement of the regulation.

Tuition is commonly used, particularly amongst juniors. The RYA’s windsurfing training schemes are heavily used.

Recognised teaching establishments would be a good place to provide targeted information.

Promotion of environmental information by a ‘personality’, known to windsurfers, may encourage support of local management initiatives.

Slipways or moorings are not necessary to enable water access, although the former are used. Craft are also kept at sailing clubs or carried by car to access points. Access points usually have parking facilities.

Known access points to the water or car parks used by participants may be effective locations for promoting environmental information.

Main targeted publications for this activity are Boards and Carve with circulations of 15,900 and 20,000 respectively.

Education programmes run in conjunction with user magazines can raise awareness of marine environmental issues and management schemes.

Next Section