What is it?
Watersports can include a big variety of activities, all taking place in or on a body of water. Some examples are waterskiing, surfing, paddleboarding, synchronized diving/swimming and sailing; the basis of any watersport is how to best interact with the water to achieve a goal.
What does it involve?
There are a lot of different things involved in watersports as it's a very varied area! It can include aspects such as completing a course in the fastest time, scoring the highest amount of points, but the basis of all watersport comes from having a good time in the water.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Having a go at watersports can be a lot of fun, a great learning experience and is excellent for exercising while having a good time - also, students being taught a new skill all together will make for good bonding amongst the group.
What equipment do we need?
You will always need to ensure that students taking part in watersports have appropriate attire - sometimes normal swimwear will be enough, but you may need more specialist equipment such as wetsuits for some sports!
Who is it suitable for?
Some watersports require a lot of skill and overall bodily strength, so certain activities may not be suitable for younger students - make sure to be aware of the needs of your group.
Costs?
Because of the immense variety of watersports of available, the costs of taking students on trips to try them out will vary greatly! For example, access to a swimming pool with some diving boards will cost a lot less than going sailing.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Young children should always be supervised around bodies of water, but each activity provider should supply trained staff - just make sure to be aware of the individual dangers of each type of watersports!
How do we include?
Inclusion of those with disabilities will entirely depend on the type of watersport - some activities such as waterskiing or surfing require a lot of independent thought and movement and may not be as suitable. Choose your pursuit carefully to cater to the specific requirements of your students.
Doing it abroad?
Watersports are popular all over the world, but there is obviously going to be less demand for it in land-locked countries with less natural bodies of water to practice it on! Coastal regions are the most likely to have watersport activities based there, but always research your destination before setting off to see whats available.
Main website:
Because of the variety of watersports available, it is best to look at individual websites for each kind of sport.
We provide lessons, RYA Tuition and equipment hire for Windsurfing and Power Boat & RIB Handling courses for individuals and groups.
The centre is open all year round, ideally located between Poole/Bournemouth and Swanage on a family beach 100 yards from the Poole-Swanage Ferry. We also have class training rooms.
Situated in the glorious Sussex countryside, Blackland Farm is a multi-purpose activity centre. It is located on a 120-acre site, comprising woodland and grassed areas.
The Prince's Trust Kennington Centres currently offers the Fairbridge programme. This is an individually tailored personal development programme for young people aged 13-25, combining one-to-one support and group activities.
Thurston is a large Victorian country house offering excellent, quality group accommodation. Set in its own large grounds in the heart of the Lake District National Park and overlooking Coniston Water. It has stunning views of the surrounding fells with immediate access to mountains, forests, lakes and rivers. Making it an ideal lakeland base.
UKSA has teamed up with YHA London Lee Valley to provide activities and courses at Fishers Green Sailing Club.
Enjoy the thrills and spills of getting wet with a brand new programme of exciting watersports activity days on the 180 acre Holyfield Lake, which is just a short train ride from London.
Torridon Activities is located at foot of Liathach and the shores of Torridon with some of the best walking, mountaineering, rock climbing, and kayaking anywhere in the UK.
We pride ourselves on making the outdoors accessible to anyone and cater for the novice to the expert, offering fun and tuition to develop their skills.
Prince's Trust centres currently offer the Fairbridge programme, which is an individually tailored personal development programme combining one-to-one support and group activities.
Originally Fairbridge De Cymru, we became part of The Prince's Trust in 2011.
We are a residential outdoor education centre on the shore of Coniston Water in the Lake District.
Based in the Eskdale Valley at the heart of the Western Lake District with easy access to Wastwater and Scafell Pike, we really could not be better place to provide a wide range of outdoor activities.
Prince's Trust centres currently offer the Fairbridge programme, which is an individually tailored personal development programme combining one-to-one support and group activities.
Originally Fairbridge in Merseyside, we've been supporting young people since 1982. In 2011 we became part of The Prince's Trust.
Outdoor Pursuits, Extreme Sports and Multi-Sport Events is what we're all about. Since 1979 we've been providing high quality outdoor pursuits from our base in Bude located at the heart of the amazing North Cornish Coast. Since then our range of activities and experiences have grown to make us one of the most established and highly qualified outdoor providers in Cornwall.
Established over 40 years ago, the 25 acre site includes a 10 acre lake, alongside the River Thames, between Richmond and Kingston. Thames Young Mariners (TYM) is surrounded by 200 acres of public open space, which has been designated as a local nature reserve.
Located 14 miles south of Edinburgh, Broomlee Centre still retains a truly rural atmosphere.
Reach Outdoors brings a fresh approach to outdoor learning. A company established by long term friends and colleagues Ashley Hone, Rachel Mayhew and Richard Hanbury, we have over 25 years combined experience of outdoor practice. We also have a real passion for the outdoors, and constantly see development opportunities in all that we do.
On the beautiful and historic parkland estate of Shugborough our centre here is ideally placed to take advantage of canoeing and kayaking opportunities on the River Trent. Cannock Chase is right on the centre’s doorstep – a great place to walk and explore and which is home to some of the countries finest bike trails.
The Seven Sisters Canoe Centre offers sessions in canoeing, kayaking and rafting for school groups, groups with special needs, families and businesses in the beautiful surroundings of the Seven Sisters Country Park. All groups are accompanied by a fully qualified British Canoe Union instructor.
We regret we are unable to hire out boats and equipment to individuals.
School life can set the tone for the future of young people, both good and bad. ReachOut Creative Futures have had great success working with groups of young adults and children for whom it is not working as well as it could be. Awards, Workshops and Activity Programmes that develop self esteem, confidence and a positive approach are a crucial investment in future generations
We’re a youth charity offering transformational opportunities
At UKSA, we’re focused on youth development, schools and groups, and professional training. In other words, we give people transformational opportunities for a better life, whether on or off the water.
We are open all year round offering a wide range of exciting outdoor adventure activities based around the Gower peninsular. We offer a flexible programme for people visiting, staying or living in the area. Courses are available from one to five days or weekend packages.
The SVYC Academy trains about 500 Members of Sea View Yacht Club every year, and has done for the past 20 years, year in a wide variety of Sailing and Sailing Related activities! We cater for adults or children, and we are here for you so if the advertised dates don’t work for you please talk to us, we are very flexible and are happy to make bespoke courses for you.
Founded in 1978, Calvert Trust is the inspiration of John Fryer-Spedding, whose vision was to enable people with disabilities to benefit from outdoor activities in the countryside.
Westminster Boating Base is an independent, young persons charity teaching dinghy sailing, powerboating, kayaking and canoeing in central London to young people and adults.
To the north of the bridges you can meander up past Cargreen, on past Cotehele and onwards toward the small village of Calstock, set in a deep valley and with its old railway viaduct towering above.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.