Youth Programme

Learn to sail and or kayak and make new friends whilst having fun on the water. Youth Club activities and memberships are available for all young people aged 10 or over.

Pay per session or take a Youth Membership to have all our regular activities included for a minimal monthly fee. 

 

What’s included with membership?

  • Evening sessions: 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 (Sundays) for those that are already proficient (minimum abilities PaddleUK  Discover 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 trips away from Base.

 

Explore Youth Membership

School Holiday Activities

Easter Holidays

We have a number of full tuition days (10am-4pm) for young people age 10-23yrs.

Depending upon whether you book the kayaking or the sailing tuition you'll be taught and guided by qualified instructors and work your way through the Paddle UK or Royal Yachting Association award schemes.

All specialist equipment provided but everyone must bring a full second change of clothes and a packed lunch.

These are individually priced and do not fall under the youth membership. 

 BOOK NOW

Evening sessions - starting 22nd April

Sailing

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

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

These evening sessions are included with memberships and are during school term-time only. During holiday periods they are replaced with full day courses which are bookable separately to the membership.

Evening sailing ends on 30th September.

 

Sundays 9:45-13:00 & 13:45-17:00 - experienced youth only (RYA Level 2/stage 3 +).

Sailing is available on Sundays all year round for experienced sailors only and subject to clothing requirements from November to March. Please contact us if you are not sure about your suitability for these sessions. 

BOOK NOW

Kayaking

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

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

These evening sessions are included with memberships and are during school term-time only. During holiday periods they are replaced with full day courses which are bookable separately to the membership.

Evening kayaking ends on 31st October.

 

Sundays 9:45-13:00 & 13:45-17:00 - experienced youth only (PaddleUK Discover+).

Sessions are available on Sundays all year round for experienced paddlers only and subject to clothing requirements from November to March. Usually 3 or 4 tuition sessions will be sufficient to develop your skills for this. Please contact us if you are not sure about your suitability for these sessions. 

BOOK NOW

What will I learn?

The beginner tuition 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 must be pre-booked but 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.

Whatever your skill level, book "Youth Tuition".

Once you have progressed to a standard where you can handle your craft, you can join the Sunday sessions for experienced paddlers and sailors. Your instructors can advise when you are ready to move on.

You must arrive for the advertised start time of the sessions. It is not possible to join once the session has started, nor to leave before the end.

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

What do I need to bring?

  • A second 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).

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

These are watersports and there is a fair chance you'll get wet to some extent so be prepared for this.

 

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).