The Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre in Plymouth is one of the foremost Outdoor Education centres in the South West – the centre has a reputation for excellence, professionalism and operates to the highest standards.
Windsurfing
Windsurfing
What is it?
Windsurfing is type of watersport that combines elements of both surfing and sailing. The sport is a relatively young one, with its origin widely accepted as being in the 1960's - the quick rise in popularity since then proves how generally well liked windsurfing is amongst the public.
What does it involve?
The practice of windsurfing involves standing upright on the surfboard base, and using the attached sail to control the movement of the board. Once you have mastered control of the equipment, you can windsurf in many formats; speed sailing, freestyle, course racing, wave sailing and slalom to name a few.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Windsurfing is good for overall exercise - because bodily strength is so key in how you manouevre the equipment on the water, the whole body will gradually becoming stronger the more you practise windsurfing. Once they've mastered the basics, students will get a great thrill by being so independent and in control whilst on the water; windsurfing is great fun when you know how!
What equipment do we need?
As windsurfing is an activity where you will need to be using a provider to take a group out, you shouldnt need to supply any specialist equipment yourself! You may need to ensure the students are all dressed appropriately, so check with the venue for their advice.
Who is it suitable for?
Reasonably young children can start to learn to windsurf, but height and weight must be taken into account - as windsurfing uses the body to weigh down the board and balance the various forces in play, the windsurfer must be heavy enough and tall enough to adequately operate the board and sail. If you are unsure about whether your student group is suitable, check with your chosen provider to get exact details.
Costs?
As the types of session you can book vary so much, the the costs can vary from under £20 per person for an hour to a private whole day session increasing above £200. You must shop around in your area to decide what kind of experience you want your students to have, and how much money you want to spend!
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Because of the freedom of the sport, its possible for things to spiral quickly out of control - there may not always be an instructor right next to someone in trouble to assist them! Your student group should be mature enough to be sensible on the water and respect all safety instructions and equipment such as lifejackets and helmets.
How do we include?
There are organisations and providers that cater specifically for disability within watersports, but they are not available everywhere - if your group has any special needs you must do your research to see if there is an establishment near you that can help!
Doing it abroad?
Countries with a lot of coastline will be your ideal destination for windsurfing, as more open and therefore windier water is the best environment for windsurfing on.
Main website:
https://ukwindsurfing.com is the website for general windsurfing in the UK, but the individual websites of more specific venues will have more information on what's available for you.
Venues with this Activity
From the start of the 2015 season, Welsh Water will run the water sports tuition and equipment hire service, formerly known as Gwent Adventures, from the new Water Sports Centre. Terry Sculley owner and founder of Gwent Adventures is retiring and Welsh Water has bought Gwent Adventures’ equipment and name.
Leybourne Lake Watersports Centre is based in the beautiful green belt area of Kent, just 30 minutes from London and coastal Kent on the A20/M20 and A2/M2, and offers a tranquil 30 acre inland freshwater lake for water enthusiasts to experience the thrill of their chosen activity in this idyllic setting.
At the lake you can enjoy a range of water-based activities including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and multi-activity days. Try our new high ropes course, the indoor climbing wall or archery. There is also a campsite adjacent to the water’s edge and a licensed cafe on the opposite side of the Lake. A refreshment trailer is open most weekends from Easter to September
You can choose from dinghy sailing, keelboat sailing, power boating, windsurfing, paddleboarding and kayaking with both short sessions and longer courses suitable for all levels and abilities whether: you are a first timer; you wish to enhance your skills/qualifications; build up your team; you simply want a fun experience whilst on a weekend break or longer holiday.
Fun and safety are at the heart of our youth clubs, offering an energetic and educational setting for youngsters! Our youth clubs are designed to keep youngsters busy and interested, giving them worthwhile, hands on experiences out on the water.
We have an excellent international reputation for our marine courses with superb facilities including boatbuilding and engineering workshops, a dedicated marine science lab and a well equipped watersports centre. Our tutors combine industry experience with academic expertise and are active in their field through research and personal interest in their subjects.
Our lake is an ideal size for teaching – not so big as to intimidate children, but still large enough to provide enjoyment on windy days for the more experienced sailor or windsurfer. There is easy launching and recovery from all sides and the wind is good from most directions.
Based in the Cotswold Water Park, South Cerney Outdoor creates outdoor experiences that inspire stories of challenge, growth and adventure for individuals, couples, families and groups.
If website is unavailable see: https://www.facebook.com/southcerneyoutdoor?sk=info
The sportscotland National Centre Cumbrae is surrounded by safe water with easy access to the open sea. The centre’s island position offers exceptional facilities for watersports enthusiasts of all levels and offers an impressive range of modern equipment, a team of highly qualified instructors, excellent shorebased accommodation and catering facilities.
James Hamilton Heritage Park is a 4 Star Visit Scotland accredited activity centre. The park features a 16 acre loch which provides beautiful and tranquil surroundings for our exciting range of water sports, from canoeing to windsurfing. The distance around the loch perimeter path is 1.2 kilometres (3/4 of a mile).
Thousands of visitors every year come to enjoy the huge range of activities available from sailing to sunbathing, birdwatching to bicycling, water ski-ing to watching the world go by.
Edgbaston Watersports is a unique, fully equipped water sports activity centre open to a wide range of customers all year around. Here at Edgbaston Watersports we understand the importance of meeting our customers needs from School Trips, Educational Programmes, GCSE PE & BTEC Programmes, Enrichment Days,
Walsall outdoor pursuits is an Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) registered centre together with Royal Yachting Association (RYA) - Registered Training Centre (RTC) with RYA sailability foundation status.
The Chase Sailing Club enjoys 90 hectares of clean water set in the beautiful surroundings of Chasewater Country Park. The clubhouse that consists of secure changing rooms with showers. A large wet room with tables and chairs where food and drinks can be purchased at weekends.
The Titus Trust runs four holiday groups – Iwerne & Forres Holidays, for those at the larger boarding schools and associated prep schools in the South of England; Lymington Rushmore Holidays, for those at a mixture of day and boarding schools in the South; Gloddaeth Holidays, for those at independent day and boarding schools in the North: and LDN Holid
Watersports: Whatever you are looking for and whatever your level of skill, you'll find it at Willen Lake
The Caldecotte Xperience offers a variety of exciting adventure activities and learning experiences for young people and adults, from 8 to 80. Activities include: sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, rowing, climbing, high ropes, caving, archery, fencing, bushcraft and many exciting team building activities.
Situated in the Keynes Country Park (Cotswold Country Park) which is part Of the Cotswold Water Park in Spratsgate Lane near Cirencester, on the Gloucestershire Wiltshire Border, Waterlandprovide general watersports and other outdoor activities for Business, the General Public, Schools and Youth Groups.
Astbury Mere Country Park is the home of watersports in Congleton. Enjoy instructed sessions in sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing and raft building. Whether you are a child or an adult, a beginner or looking to improve your skills we have a course for you. For all instructed sessions advanced booking is essential
We are a friendly watersports centre based in the new facilities at Porth Eirias.
UKSA is a charity who believe in the power of the sea to make a change. We offer the very best professional maritime training courses alongside youth development programmes to help young people transform their lives for the better.
The Isle of Wight's coolest watersports centre
With over 25 years of practical industry experience and knowledge, Wight Waters can offer you the most professional watersports packages and friendly service on the Isle of Wight.
We are a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Recognised Teaching Establishment and we are also licensed through the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA). Both of these bodies inspect our set up annually to check that we are operating safely, our staff are qualified and that we are also offering a high standard of quality instruction...
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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.
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