Want to come Sailing, Canoeing, Kayaking or Powerboating?
OK, How do I get on the water?
There are different ways we can enable individuals to go on the water, please look through the following options.
Please be aware that sailing, canoeing and rowing are weather dependent and we reserve the right to cancel at any time if we consider the conditions are unsuitable.
Powerboating and Canoeing sessions must be pre-booked. No need to book for Sailing! Please download the Sailability Registration form
*Please contact: [email protected] to book a place
Sailability and Paddleability Sessions
Saturday Sessions
These sessions are open to anyone with any form of disability or additional support need, as well as their friends, family and carers. We find the activities are particularly enjoyable if you come along with a friend or two!
Sessions are £6 per participant (concessions available), carers go free, anyone else – feel free to make a donation!
For those who want to sail, but are nervous of sailing on their own, we can offer an instructor or experienced sailor to accompany them. We use the access dinghies (left of picture) for independent sailing and have dinghies which are fitted with electric hand controls for those who have little strength or mobility in their upper limbs.
If you want to sail as part of a group we also have the drascombe lugger (right of picture), which is a traditional wooden sailing boat and gives an opportunity to sail up the harbour past the SS Great Britain.
The pioneer safety boats are on hand, but our accessible powerboats will be used to take people on trips around the harbour. Our powerboats are wheelchair accessible so there is no necessity to transfer from your wheelchair. There may only be 1 trip per session, so please arrive by 10.15 am to ensure your space on the boat.
Canoeing and/or Kayaking will be available when we have volunteer support, for those of you that wish to try some paddlesports! We have open Canadian Canoes, Sit-on-top kayaks, sit-inside kayaks (two with stabilisers), KataKanus and a Bell Boat available for use. The Bellboat can take up to 10 people so if you have friends who want to come down and use it let us know!
Please download the Sailability Registration form
Bring it with you for the first time, so that we know if there are any specific requirements or concerns you might have. Please be aware that if there are large numbers attending this may shorten the amount of time you are able to sail as we will give everyone time on the water.
Tuesday Sailability
These sessions are on Tuesday evenings during term time from 4.00pm to 6.00pm from after Easter to October. It is for any junior sailor who wishes to sail in a more supported environment. This session is very suitable for young sailors who are on the Autistic Spectrum or have Learning Difficulties, as the session is run by experienced volunteers and the session is calmer than the Saturday session. Typically, this session involves with the youths sailing or having a powerboat trip up the river.
The Sailing boats are accessible. We have an array of boats which means the youth can learn to sail a boat as a group or on their own. We have hoists to support them in and out of the boat if needed. Our wheelchair accessible powerboats will accompany the sailors up them river.
Please download the Participants Details – Sailability form
Send it into us or bring it with you on your first session. The session costs just £6 (carer’s go free). There is no need to book, just turn up. We meet by the flag pole beside our centre, near the waterside steps.
Dates for 2022
Sailability – Sailing, Powerboat Trips
April – 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th(* 30/4 cancelled )
May – 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
June – 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
July – 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
August – 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
September – 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
October – 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
Tuesday – Sailability Sessions
April – 5th, 26th
May – 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
June – 7th, 14th, 21st
July – 5th, 12th
September – 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
October – 4th, 11th, 18th
Please see our useful video on ‘What to expect’ or see HERE for some accessible, printable information 🙂
“I feel free on the water”
“It’s really nice to do something as a family”
“Very empowering and a good opportunity to meet new people”
Rowability
We are currently looking into offering Visually Impaired friendly rowing sessions.
If you are interested and would like to be included in the mailing list for future opportunities please email, [email protected].