Sailing

East Midlands, East Anglia, Surrey, Bristol & Gloucestershire, Dorset & Hants, Oxfordshire, North West and Kent & East Sussex.

Some see the use of a hoist as an indignity, but for others it is a route to freedom. The freedom of the open water. But dropping into a boat is just the beginning. First stage is a twin-seater dinghy, but after just short instruction period it’s possible to go out on the water alone. Just you, the boat and the breeze. There’s the thrill of speed, the seduction of solitude and the sense of achievement as the skills become easier and the sailing more adventurous. Whether on a lake in the Cotswolds, Surrey or Hampshire, or among the beautiful Derbyshire Dales, the vast basins of the former London docks or exploring the inland waterways of East Anglia, or off-shore from Poole harbour it is an experience to savour.

Of course there’s a requirement to respect the safety procedures – life jackets and the correct weatherproof gear (all supplied). But don’t think you have to be able to swim. Not required. As with canoeing the idea is to stay on, not in, the water.

This has really been the success story of the last two years and we have built good relationships with a number of sailing clubs with a few more coming on stream! In Derbyshire we are working with David Thomas, Sailability Lead at Carsington Water. He and the team are very good at getting complete beginners out and about on the water in the shortest possible time. In East Anglia we are delighted to be part of the Woolverstone Project which gives us sailing at Alton Waters Reservoir in Suffolk . New for London we are delighted to be working with Judy and Charlie at the Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre, Millwall Dock in the Isle of Dogs. We are planning a series of weekend try-sail days at the end of August and September, please see diary for details. In Surrey we work with Frensham Sailing Club at Frensham Pond and in our Dorset and Hants region with New Forest & District Sailability, who are based at Spinnake Sailing Club in Ivy Lane, just north of Ringwood. This former quarry has been transformed into an attractive inland lake that provides an ideal safe, but exciting, sailing area.

If you are interested in trying or would like more information about Sailing please call us on 0208 959 0089 or email us via our activities contact form.