Youth Programme

Youth members enjoy all our regular activities for a minimal monthly fee. Learn to sail and or kayak and make new friends whilst finding your love of being safely on the water.

What's Included?

What’s included?

  • Sailing tuition as per the RYA Levels 1-3 / Stages 1-4 syllabuses.
  • Canoeing & Kayaking tuition as per the Paddle UK Awards.
  • Recreational sailing and kayaking sessions for those that are already proficient (minimum abilities Paddle Explore or RYA Level 2 / Stage 3 dinghy sailing) including racing and training (and the opportunity to join our squads for the London Youth Games each year)
  • Access to away trips.
      

What will I learn?

The beginner sessions will provide you with an introduction to the sports. You will learn the basic strokes required to manoeuvre your craft as per the BC or RYA personal skills awards. But its not just tuition - there's lots of fun and games too!

Our weekday evening and Sunday sessions operate on a turn-up and try it basis so there is no need to book. You do not have to come every week if this is difficult for you, as the instructors will continue to teach you from the point you were at the last time you came.

For paddlesports you will work your way through the British Canoeing personal performance awards. Starting with paddle Start, Discover and Explore.

For sailing you will work through the RYA Level 1 & 2 certificates. 

  • There is no prior booking required for these sessions but you must have a youth membership.
  • All sessions operate on a first-come-first-served basis.
  • You must arrive for the advertised start time of the sessions.

TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO ONE. IF YOU ARRIVE LATE YOU MAY BE TURNED AWAY.

The following sessions will run from 1st April to 31st July and then resume from 10th Sept to end of Sept for sailing, end of Oct for kayaking)

Sailing

Tuesdays 4.45pm-7.30pm: Youth sail tuition for all abilities

Sunday sailing, 9:45-13:00 and 13:45-17:00 - experienced youth only (RYA Level 2/stage 3 +). 

Sailing is available on Sundays for experienced sailors only. Please contact us if you are not sure about your suitability. 

Evening sailing ends on 30th September.

Kayaking

Tuesdays 4.45pm-7.30pm: Youth kayaking tuition for all abilities

Wednesdays 4.45pm-7.30pm: Youth kayaking tuition for all abilities

Evening kayaking ends on 29th October but don't miss our Halloween paddle on 30th Oct.

Sunday kayaking 09:45-13:00 and 13:45-17:00 - experienced youth only (BC Discover +). 

What do I need to bring?

  • A change of clothes including shoes, towel and washkit.
  • Under 18s must have WRITTEN parental consent 
  • A small padlock to secure your valuables in one of our lockers (optional).
  • These are watersports and there is a fair chance you'll get wet to some extent so be prepared for this.

NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE WATER WITHOUT THE ABOVE.

Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Awards

Established in 1999, The Jack Petchey Foundation gives grants to programmes and projects that benefit young people aged 11-25.

WBB can pass on these achievement awards and regularly hold a ballot for a young person to receive an award. The young people themselves are the voters. The winner is publicly congratulated for their achievement and receives:

• A framed certificate
• A Jack Petchey Young Achiever badge
• £300 to spend on improving the centre

The young person chooses how their award money is to be spent - this can be spent on additional activities or new equipment (but cannot be spent on core/running costs).