Sailing and nautical clubs have grown in popularity over the last couple of years with approximately 103,000 people in the UK participating in sailing activities in 2023. This was an increase of 25% compared to 2021.

Sailing and nautical clubs need to enhance their branding and marketing strategy to continue driving growth and keep the rising number of members engaged.

Promotional giveaways are one way to show appreciation to loyal customers while also serving as a marketing tool to attract new members.

Let's discuss some practical, functional and memorable promotional merchandise ideas that will resonate with the nautical lifestyle and bring more business your way.

Nautical-Themed Promotional Keychains: Small, Functional, and Memorable

Promotional keyrings have long been a popular choice for businesses that want to invest in affordable yet practical promo items. They are small and lightweight, making them easy to distribute, whether transporting them to an event or posting them directly to customers, and they are easily customisable. There's plenty to explore from bespoke PVC-shaped keyrings to custom metal-engraved keyrings for competition winners to sailing club events.

You could invest in a custom keychain that serves as a decorative item and aligns with your brand or products. A nautical-themed keychain works well because it is very on-trend and on-brand, so one in the shape of a boat or an anchor is an excellent choice for your sailing club.

Our range of promotional floating keychains is another unique option if you don’t want to be on the nose with the theme but, instead, create a practical product.

You could even explore promotional practical keychains such as custom trolley coins or branded bottle opener keyrings to serve a use for the recipient. Either way, a branded keychain will always be on display as a constant reminder of your business and promote your brand to all others who see it.

Some material choices that work well for promotional keychains include stainless steel, wood and recycled ocean plastics for clubs that are eco-conscious and want to promote sustainability.

The branding opportunities are extensive, too. Your club logo or event name can be engraved or printed onto a keychain, turning it into a keepsake or a reward for new member sign-ups.

A great example of how to make the most of these promo items is by printing them with valuable information. One sailing club used anchor-shaped keychains with a QR code to send people to its online platform. This drove traffic to its website and made the keychains a worthwhile investment for its business.

Lets discuss some practical, functional and memorable promotional merchandise ideas that will resonate with the nautical lifestyle and bring more business your way

Custom Sailing Clothing: Stylish and Practical Gear

Clothing plays a vital role in sailing.

It’s necessary to protect those participating in the activity from the elements so sailing clubs can lean into this with custom clothing.

Custom Polo shirts and embroidered fleeces are popular amongst sailing club members for being stylish and practical, whilst branded windbreakers and caps are ideal for certain seasons but equally useful. If you are looking for a premium giveaway idea, then a branded waterproof jacket is a brilliant option too.

The aim is to provide your audience with custom sailing clothing that combines comfort with performance, helping members stay dry and warm while promoting the club’s brand in a subtle way. This could be by leaning into the brand colours, adding the logo to the material or even personalising with members’ names for a more exclusive touch. Reach out to The Branded Company team for the best use of branding techniques to achieve your required design.

You could even explore custom sustainable clothing options, such as clothing made from recycled or organic materials, to align with the ocean-centric ethos of many nautical clubs.

An example of custom clothing in practice would be a sailing club that offers high-performance moisture-wicking shirts with UV protection for members participating in a summer sailing event.

Promotional Yacht Gadgets: High-Tech and Useful Items

Over the last few years, there has been a rise in the popularity of tech gadgets amongst the sailing community. As we fully embrace the digital age, sailing clubs should also make the shift and use the opportunity to invest in high-end promotional tech gadgets for their members.

There are plenty of useful custom gadgets to choose from, each with its own unique benefits and appeal. Printed floating keychains are cost-effective and great for ensuring that your keys won’t sink if they accidentally fall overboard. Promotional waterproof Bluetooth speakers allow music to be played safely on a sailing trip, and GPS devices are a must-have for staying on course.

You could even look into eco-friendly tech gadgets, such as portable solar chargers, that provide sailors with limited access to charging outlets with a sustainable alternative that will keep them connected throughout their trip.

Customising desirable gadgets with your branding enhances their exclusivity and makes them seem even more valuable to your club members. For example, a sailing club could provide a branded waterproof Bluetooth speaker as a premium giveaway for participants in a race event. The value of the promotional item is high in the eyes of the participants so this feels like a generous and worthwhile gift.