Henri-Lloyd has introduced Sail Free, an initiative designed to support people taking their first steps into sailing by offering customers vouchers that can be put towards selected Royal Yachting Association courses.
Through Sail Free, customers who purchase qualifying Henri-Lloyd products receive a £300 voucher that can be redeemed against selected RYA courses. The voucher can be used for a two-day Start Yachting introductory course or applied towards further qualifications such as Competent Crew and Day Skipper.
Research commissioned by Henri-Lloyd indicates that more than 7.2m people in the UK are interested in learning to sail, while 13.2m would be likely to try a beginner sailing lesson. The same research points to cost, access and uncertainty about how to get started as key barriers. These findings are broadly supported by work from the Royal Yachting Association and British Marine, which also highlight cost, awareness and perceived accessibility as limiting factors in participation.
Qualifying products in the offer include Mav Lite 2.0, Ocean Pro Smock, Ocean Pro Jacket, Dynamic Jacket, Breeze Jacket, Smart Therm Pro Jacket, Ocean Pro High-Fit Salopettes, Smart Therm Pro Salopettes, Dynamic Salopettes and Breeze Salopettes.
Customers receive the voucher after purchasing eligible products through Henri-Lloyd retail channels or its website. It is then applied when booking with participating training centres.
Chris Hammond, CEO of Henri-Lloyd, says: “Henri-Lloyd has always existed to support people who want to go further on the water. Sail Free is a natural extension of that belief. If we want sailing to thrive, we need to make it easier for more people to experience it for themselves.
“This initiative isn’t about selling jackets. It’s about opening doors, creating opportunities and helping the next generation discover the freedom, adventure and wellbeing that life on the water can bring. By removing some of the barriers to entry, we hope to inspire more people to take that first step and experience sailing for themselves.”
Knut Frostad, chairman of Henri-Lloyd and former professional sailor, adds: “Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life have come from time spent on the water. Sailing teaches resilience, confidence and teamwork in a way few other activities can. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience that, regardless of their background or experience. That’s why I’m proud Henri-Lloyd is helping more people take their first step into the sport.”
Prometheus Sailing, based in Portsmouth, is among the first centres involved in Sail Free. Managing director Simon Boulding says: “Henri-Lloyd’s Sail Free initiative is a fantastic idea. Giving people the opportunity to invest in quality sailing apparel while also taking their first steps into the sport is an innovative and inclusive approach. We share Henri-Lloyd’s vision of introducing more people to sailing and are excited to welcome participants onto our yachts and training courses.”
The initiative is intended to support access to initial Royal Yachting Association qualifications and further progression through structured training. Sailing centres across the UK are being encouraged to join the programme, with additional RYA-approved centres currently in the onboarding process. Another centre already participating is UKSA in Cowes, Isle of Wight.
Those RYA-approved centres interested in getting involved can contact Henri-Lloyd for further information.
Henri-Lloyd, founded in Manchester in 1963, has provided performance sailing apparel to sailors including Sir Francis Chichester, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chay Blyth and Sir Ben Ainslie. The company continues to support both competitive sailing and wider participation in the sport.
Henri-Lloyd continues to operate from Manchester, UK, and was acquired in 2022 by Monte Rosa Sport Group, based in Oslo, Norway, which also operates the Odlo and Janus brands, after going into administration in 2018.
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