FAQs

Welcome to All-Aboard Watersports

* COVID-19 Update: Our changing rooms, lockers, waterproofs and wetsuits are now available but limited at the moment, so please arrive as ready and eager as possible! Please see our main page for further details.

We hope that this page will provide all the information needed by all groups using All-Aboard Watersports activities, facilities and equipment.

If you do need any additional information, please send an email to [email protected]

Information about booking

What happens if my session is cancelled?

Watersports are weather dependent and sessions may be cancelled at short notice at the discretion of the Centre Manager or Chief Instructor; we will endeavour to re-book you on an alternate day or different activity. More information about cancellations can be found in our Terms & Conditions.

How do I pay for my session?

Most of our sessions can be paid for online when you book via our website. Cash payments can be accepted. You must make payment prior to session commencing at the Admin Office during office hours of Monday to Friday 9am – 3pm Schools and groups will be invoiced directly.

Are there age limits?

Our minimum age across all watersports is eight (8) years old. There is no upper age limit. We do offer some age specific sessions i.e. 50+ sessions, this will be stated in the activity description.

Information about your session

What do I do if I am going to be late?

We have all experienced unexpected delays getting somewhere so please don’t worry about it. Please get to the centre safely and if appropriate, please email us on [email protected] or phone us on 0117 929 0801.

We will do our best to integrate you into the session as seamlessly as possible.

What if I’m under 16 and attending/leaving without parent, carer or guardian?

Many of our sessions are run for young people where an adult does not need to remain with them throughout the session.

At the end of a session a delay of more than 30 minutes in collecting an Under 16 may incur a charge.

If an Under 16 intends to leave during or after a session without a parent, carer or guardian then permission must be agreed upon prior to the commencement of a session. This must be formally acknowledged in writing between the parent, carer or guardian and the All-Aboard Activities Coordinator.

The purchaser of the session is responsible for providing an accurate Emergency Contact for all participants under the age of 16 years old; in the event no contact is provided then the purchaser is the default Emergency Contact and must be available by telephone or in-person for the duration of the session.

What if I have a medical condition or feel unwell?

Details of any conditions and medication must be disclosed during the booking process, allowing the Instructor to tailor or adapt sessions. You are encouraged to have a discreet chat with your Instructor on the day if you need additional reassurance.

If you have any medication that needs to be close at hand during the session, then please let the Instructor know. We have waterproof bags and containers to keep things dry.

Please let the Instructor know if you feel unwell at any time during your session, or if you feel too hot or too cold so that we can assist you.

We have experience in dealing with different conditions and disabilities and will always attempt to accommodate individuals.

Please visit our accessibility page to find information on facilities, what to expect videos, social stories: Accessible Information

Is the water safe?

A water quality statement is posted on the notice board in front of the Cottage Inn. Water quality tests performed by the Harbour Master are made weekly and monthly.

As with any watersport activity in an outdoor environment, please ensure you wash your hands properly when coming off the water and before consuming any food or drink. You can also read the water quality information here.

What should I wear?

*COVID-19* Please note that our waterproofs and wetsuits are now available but with restricted use where possible*

Please wear old clothes as they may get wet; a change of clothes, towel and plenty of thin layers are also recommended.

Do not wear jeans or cotton clothing for any activity because they become heavy and cold when wet. We recommend you bring waterproofs with you if the weather is cold, wet or windy.

Appropriate footwear must be worn. We recommend wet suit boots (with a thick sole) or non-slip, closed-toed footwear that you do not mind getting wet.

We will supply Personal Flotation Device (Buoyancy aid), helmets and wetsuits where required and free of charge. Please bring swimwear to wear underneath the wetsuit.

Sailors above Level 2 may ask the Instructor if they may sail without a helmet, this will be at the Instructor’s discretion.

Do I need to bring anything else?

The below list is recommendation only. These suggested items weather and activity dependent:

A change of clothes plus a towel and toiletries for showering
Sun cream and/or sunhat
Swimwear
Warm, waterproof clothing, including hat and gloves

Is there a safe place to leave my belongings?

* COVID-19 Update: Our lockers are now available but limited at the moment, so please arrive as ready and eager as possible! Please avoid bringing valuables where possible as we cannot be held liable for any missing items.

What shower and toilet facilities are available?

We have an accessible shower and toilet facilities available for use. However we do ask that you use your facilities at home where possible.

Can I ask questions during the session?

We all learn differently and at different rates so please ask at any time if you don’t understand anything or would like to know more information.

If there is a particular way the instructor can offer support to you with information or instructions, then please let them know.

Feedback

We hope you have an enjoyable session with us. We are always trying to improve so please do send us an email if you wish to make any comments/suggestions.

Should you have any issues during your session then please let us know at the earliest opportunity so we can sort things out. If you don’t tell us until later then it may be too late for us to resolve the problem!

Information about All-Aboard

How do I get to you?

We are based off the Cumberland Road, right next to the Cottage Inn pub. Our address is:

All-Aboard Watersports
Baltic Wharf
Cumberland Road
BS1 6XG

Where can I park?

SUMMER 2021 Please note: Cumberland Road is closed in part for the foreseeable future. You can still access the Centre from the City Centre / Coronation Road end. Please allow extra time for your journey Many thanks

Monday 27^th September and Sunday 10^th October 2021.

During this time, Cumberland Road will be closed between the entrances to the Cottage Inn and the Caravan Site as shown below. Access to All-Aboard will therefore only be possible to and from the Cumberland Basin end. Access will not be possible from the City Centre direction.

Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained from both directions.

There is a free public car park (for up to 4 hours) adjacent to All-Aboard. Please be aware that it can be busy, especially in the summer and at weekends. There are two disabled bays, which you can park in if you are a blue badge holder.

If this car park is full there are a few nearby Pay & Display Car Parks – beside the Create Centre, underneath the fly-over and at the SS Great Britain.

If you are coming in a mini bus, then you are welcome to drop participants off at our door and then park in the ‘buses’ section marked on Cumberland Road.

Who are your Instructors?

Our Instructors come from across the country and world, and they have a huge amount of experience in their chosen activities.

Our instructors are all qualified to the standards demanded by the National Governing Bodies of the activities that they lead. They have First Aid, Safeguarding, Disability Awareness Training and DBS certification. Training and qualifications are kept on record and are regularly updated.

Who are you governed by?

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, canal and river boat cruising, and personal watercraft.

British Canoeing: the national governing body for paddlesports in the UK. Formerly known as the British Canoe Union, Canoe England and GB Canoeing, they now come together under one unified organisation.

British Rowing is the governing body for the sport of rowing (both indoor rowing and rowing on water). We are committed to ensuring that the sport continues to thrive from the grassroots right up to winning medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) came into existence in April 1996. It is currently sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Health and Safety Executive is currently designated as the AALA.

Adventure activities licensing ensures that activity providers follow good safety management practices.

Duke of Edinburgh Award Approved Activity Providers (AAPs) are organisations, both commercial and charitable whose sectional opportunities have been approved by the DofE, as meeting our sectional conditions and can count towards the achievement of a DofE Award. AAPs provide Assessors to sign off the section.