Westminster Boating Base
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Youth Programme

Age 10-23yrs? Youth members enjoy all our regular activities for free. Join from as little as £7.50 per month (+ one-off £10 joining fee). Learn to sail and or kayak. Courses include Paddle UK Discover award, Paddle UK Explore award, Paddle UK Personal Performance awards, RYA Level 1 Start Sailing, RYA Level 2 Basic Skills, RYA Stages 1 to 4 and much more.

The Westminster Boating Base charity aims to provide experiences and opportunities for young people which aid personal and social development through participation in watersports so they may fully develop as individuals.

Westminster Boating Base is a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training Centre and Paddle UK Delivery Partner.

  

Youth Membership 2024 only £10 plus a monthly payment

We're making changes to our payment structure this year:

The pricing is intended to make our facilities as accessible as possible to the widest range of people, regardless of social or financial background.

So please be as generous as you possibly can be -  either by making a larger monthly contribution or a much more substantial joining / renewal contribution.

What’s included?

  

Weekly session schedule 2024 for youth members

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 4.45-7.30pm: 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 +). To book and check schedule: Go to the "What's on" page

Sailing is available on Sundays for experienced sailors only. Please contact us if you are not sure about your suitability.  See activities schedule for dates. Evening sailing ends on 30th September.

 

Kayaking

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

Wednesdays 4.45-7.30pm: 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 +). To book and check schedule: Go to the "What's on" page

 

School summer holiday activities

Evening sessions run on a first come first served basis until end of July. Then... full days of kayaking & sailing as listed below.

These replace the evening sessions and run 10am-4pm. £10 per day booking fee (non-refundable). Must have a valid youth membership (£10 joining fee plus a monthly standing order for £7.50)

 

Are there any other further/hidden charges?

There is no charge per session. All sessions are included with youth membership although school holiday activities and away-trips carry additional booking fees.

If you like what we do, and can afford it, you can make an additional donation to the charity at any time.

British Canoeing certificates are redeemed through British Canoeing charged at a cost to the individual. RYA certificates charged for by WBB.

Youth membership also allows access to various away-trips, school holiday courses and special events which may have an additional cost and will be advertised as such.

See to the right of this page for extra activities.

 

This sounds great! How do I sign up?

  1. Create a log-in on this website and register your details (details of the participant).
  2. From within the MY ACCOUNT section, you can pay the joining fee for youth membership.
  3. Complete and sign this consent & standing order form - signed by a parent if you are under 18 years of age. You will need to bring this with you on your first visit.

If you are a parent registering on behalf of a child, you must register the child's details.

If you are registering for more than one child: each child will need to be registered on a separate account (different email addresses required). This will allow you to book activities for each child individually.

 

What to bring

These are watersports and there is a fair chance you'll get wet to some extent!

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

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

  

 

 

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).

 

Currently in summer season

  • Season starts: 02nd April 2024
  • Season ends: 31st March 2025

Youth Programme activities schedule

December 2024

A Royal Yachting Association (RYA) & British Canoeing (BC) approved training centre, regulated by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA).

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