Who are we?
We are a a student-led club at Queen’s University Belfast. We sail at Ballyholme Yacht Club in Bangor and have regular training sessions every Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning. Throughout the year, we compete at events against other universities in Ireland and the UK. Our club is open to everyone, from seasoned sailors to total beginners. We offer friendly team-racing practice and training led by qualified instructors, so anyone can start sailing, meet new friends, and be part of our club!
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are crowdfunding to address a critical need for new boats and essential equipment to support our growing community of student sailors. Sailing is traditionally seen as an inaccessible and expensive sport, but we want to change that by offering every student at Queen’s University the chance to experience it. Currently, only 4 out of our 6 Firefly boats are operational, and even those are in poor condition, requiring constant repairs just to stay on the water.
The cost of living crisis has placed financial strain on student clubs like ours, and we need more funds to invest in new boats. With additional funding, we can maintain the quality and safety of our equipment, which is essential for training and competition. Our club offers a vital outlet for students, providing a break from the pressures of university life. We know first hand how easy it is to get caught up with stress and anxiety about university, and we know that getting on the water gives everyone a chance to de-stress and have fun with friends.
With your support, we aim to expand our fleet and allow more students to enjoy being on the water. Every contribution will help us create a safe, inclusive, and fully equipped club where students of all backgrounds can discover and participate in sailing.
How we’ll spend the money raised
- New Fleet of Boats:
Our top priority is securing funding for a new fleet of Firefly boats, which will allow us to introduce sailing to a larger number of students. With more boats available, we can expand our training sessions, offering more frequent opportunities for beginners and advanced sailors alike. A new fleet will ensure that everyone has access to safe, reliable equipment, making sailing more enjoyable and accessible to all. By investing in our fleet, we can welcome more members and increase participation across the club, helping us grow and foster a thriving sailing community at Queen’s University. - ‘Youth on the Water' Regatta Support:
Part of our funding will go towards hosting our "Youth on the Water" Regatta, a dedicated event aimed at boosting confidence among our student sailors at Queens. Funds will cover the cost of renting a venue and essential safety equipment, such as support and safety boats, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants. This event will also be a fantastic opportunity for new members to connect with experienced sailors, ask questions, and gain knowledge and support within a friendly, inclusive environment. - Event Participation and Training Support:
To encourage more students to engage with sailing events, we plan to allocate funds toward entry fees and travel costs, making it easier for students to participate in regattas and competitions. The expenses associated with these events can be a barrier, especially for students who are just starting their sailing journey. By covering these costs, we hope to increase the number of students competing on behalf of QUBSC and provide them with invaluable experience, camaraderie, and the chance to represent Queen’s University on the water.
Together, these initiatives will strengthen QUBSC as an inclusive, supportive club that offers students a chance to embrace the benefits of sailing, improve their skills, and become part of a vibrant community.
Community impact
Our community impact goes beyond teaching students to sail. Sailing offers a unique way for students to break from academic pressures, unwind on the water, and connect with others who share their interests. Our club provides a space where students can de-stress, build confidence, and make lasting friendships, all while engaging in a healthy and active lifestyle.
By making sailing accessible to everyone at Queen’s, we aim to help students feel part of a close-knit community. This is especially important for those away from home. With more resources, we can reach even more students and create a lasting impact on at QUB.
This year, we're committed to sustainability by protecting the resources that make sailing possible. Our plans include beach clean-ups, reducing our environmental footprint, and promoting sustainable practices among our members. By integrating these efforts into our club, we aim to protect local waterways and inspire others to help protect the environment around us.
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!