RYA stands for Royal Yachting Association, which is the national governing body for sailing, dinghy sailing, yacht and motor cruising, sail racing, RIBs and sportsboats, windsurfing and personal watercraft in the United Kingdom. The organization was founded in 1875 as the Yacht Racing Association and has since become the leading representative body for inland waterways cruising. The RYA exists to get more people into boating and watersport activities, promote safe boating practices, and raise the standards of yachting and sailing in the UK through its network of more than 2,400 RYA recognized training centers in more than 58 countries, and more than 1,500 RYA affiliated clubs. The RYA offers more than 100 courses to choose from, catering to every age, ability, and interest. The organization has a key role in worldwide racing and recreational sailing and trains annually on average 185,000 people in its 2220 training centers in more than 20 countries.