Westminster Boating Base provides a range of Royal Yachting Association dinghy sailing sessions and courses from beginner to advanced including racing. Courses include RYA Level 1 Start Sailing, RYA Level 2 Basic Skills and RYA Level 3 Better Sailing.
WBB issues RYA dinghy sailing certificates and is a Royal Yachting Association Training Centre.
Courses & taster sessions for beginners & intermediates
Our weekly schedule for proficient (RYA Level 2 +) sailors
Taster sessions suitable for families, adults or children (age 10yrs+) who want to give sailing a try. Emphasis on fun! Must be booked in advance.
Family Deal: get a FREE annual youth membership for every child that you book onto a Go Sailing session, that are accompanied by at least one adult. Please contact us to enable the membership
2023 dates:
None scheduled
As someone with little or no experience in a sailing dinghy, this course is the ideal place to start. You'll learn all the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to handle a sailing dinghy in up to moderate conditions, setting the foundation for you to be able to sail without an instructor onboard.
Held over 4 days (2 consecutive weekends), on completion of this course you'll be able to join our sessions for 'proficient sailors' on Sundays to develop your skills further, try a single-handed sailing boat or get involved with our racing events.
2023 dates:
22/23/29/30 April
20/21/27/28 May
8/9/15/16 July
23/24/30 Sept/1 Oct
14/15/21/22 Oct
See activities schedule on this page
Perhaps you want to brush up or reach that next level at your own pace? We can provide private sailing lessons with a qualified instructor upon request. Up to 3 people in the boat.
Price: £130 per session
Please enquire: enquiries@westminsterboatingbase.co.uk
If you're a beginner, you will need to attend a course as listed above.
As a proficient sailor you will be reasonably competent at sailing a dinghy without an Instructor onboard and preferably hold the RYA Level 2 Dinghy Sailing certificate. Give us a call if you'd like to check your suitability.
If you have not sailed with us before, due to the strong tidal flows of the river Thames, you will need to undergo a period of familiarisation with another of our experienced sailors in a crewed dinghy before you can sail alone.
All of our sessions are run under the supervision of a safety boat and a RYA Senior Instructor who will provide assistance as required.
2023 sessions:
Mondays, 17:45-20:30 - recreational sailing & Overbury Cup racing
Sundays, 09:45-13:00 and 13:45-17:00.
Price per session: £20 or included with season tickets
YOU MUST ARRIVE FOR THE START TIME OF THE SESSION. TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO ONE!
You will need to bring:
Nobody will be allowed on the water without these.
The season begins on 01st April 2023. Kayaking and sailing continues throughout the winter on Sundays. Winter clothing regulations apply.