Giving Sailing Kit a Second Life at KYC
Published 15:25 on 30 Mar 2026
Kitround and the Royal Yachting Association are working together with Keyhaven Yacht Club on a new pilot initiative aimed at giving unused sailing kit a second life while supporting sustainability and wider access to the sport.
KYC is pleased to be working with kitround, a leading sports-focused eCommerce platform dedicated to unlocking pre-owned and unsold sports kit. By helping equipment and clothing circulate within the sporting community, kitround aims to break down barriers to participation, build community impact and promote more sustainable practices in sport.
The business, which is based in Lymington, was launched in June 2024 and has quickly established partnerships across the UK sporting sector. As a proud partner of the Royal Yachting Association, kitround works closely with the governing body on kit sustainability initiatives and has supported the RYA at several national sailing events.
Beyond sailing, kitround collaborates with a growing network of organisations including governing bodies, universities, charities, elite and grassroots teams, and commercial partners across the UK.
A Pilot Programme at Keyhaven Yacht Club
Kitround is delighted to be working with Keyhaven Yacht Club on a pilot initiative designed to encourage members to think differently about the sailing clothing and equipment they no longer use or that children may have outgrown.
As part of the programme, a dedicated kitbin has been placed at the club where members can deposit unwanted sailing kit and clothing. The donated items will be collected by kitround after Easter and taken to their Lymington centre for sorting and processing.
Once collected, the kit will be carefully assessed and directed into one of three pathways:
- Resale through a KYC Kitshop
Items suitable for resale will be listed in a dedicated KYC kit shop on the kitround platform, creating a potential new revenue stream for the club or an opportunity to raise funds for a chosen sailing-related charity. - Community donation through kitmatch
Kit that cannot be sold but remains usable will be distributed through kitround's kitmatch initiative, where it is donated free of charge to schools, sailing clubs and Sea Scout groups. - Sustainable recycling and repurposing
Equipment that has reached the end of its useful life will not go to landfill. Instead, kitround will work with the RYA to identify sustainable recycling or repurposing routes. For example, fabrics may be passed to the Salvation Army, while neoprene materials can be recycled through Circular Flow.
Measuring the Impact
Following the collection and processing of donated kit, kitround will produce a kitround360 report for the club. This will highlight the environmental and social impact created through the initiative, demonstrating how members' donations have supported sustainability and helped others access the sport.
Supporting a National Vision
The RYA is following the KYC pilot with great interest, recognising the potential for a broader national programme to support sustainable kit reuse across the sailing community. As the pilot club, KYC will have the opportunity to help shape any future national rollout and will be recognised for its role in leading the initiative.
Members are encouraged to support the programme by bringing along any sailing clothing or equipment they no longer use and placing it in the kitbin at the club.
If you have any questions regarding this pilot, please contact Nick Langford, Rear Commodore Sailing at sailing@keyhavenyc.co.uk
