Youth Afloat is DSWC’s summer project for London Children. It is open to all children, youth groups and organised summer activity groups in London. Youth Afloat is an important part of the charitable work done by the Centre.
The DSWC Youth Afloat program has been running for 10 Years, and has to date provided over 12000 places for children to access water sports. The program is primarily funded through the fund raising activities of the Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre Trust and also the Isle of Dogs Community Foundation.
There are a range of activities available during youth afloat, and all equipment is supplied. The sessions are delivered by a mix of paid staff and youth volunteers. Individuals are encouraged to work their way through the various schemes across the programme, with a view to attaining RYA and BCU qualifications. While we do not run any specific courses during Youth Afloat, this approach proved highly successful in 2010 and 2011. As a result of this we would recommend that any young people wishing to attend sessions at Youth Afloat buy an appropriate log book from reception on their first day.
If you are interested in helping to raise funds for Youth Afloat, either as an individual or an organisation, then there are various opportunities available. Please call for further information.
Summer Sessions
The majority of participants at Youth Afloat come down on an individual basis. We have around 85 individual places available each day and they are allocated on a first come first served basis. It is possible to pre-book sessions in weekly blocks as a Centre member, alternatively you can sign up on the day for any available places. While we do try and get everyone out on the water it cannot always be guaranteed that every young person will get a place on each session. If you have not already pre-booked it is not possible to book on to the afternoon session in the morning, and priority will always be given to those who were unable to book on in the morning.| Members | £Free |
| Non-Members | £4 per session |
| Annual Membership | £30 per year |
| Times | 9:15am – 12:15pm (Morning) |
| 1:00pm – 4:00pm (Afternoon) | |
| Dates | 25th July – 25th August 2011 (Monday – Thursday) |
| Pre-Booking | £30 per week. Click here to download booking form. |
| * Contact us for more details | |
Sailing
Beginners: An exciting introduction to Watersports. The session will deliver a basic level of tuition, and run a syllabus including items from Stages 1 and 2 of the RYA Youth Scheme.
Intermediate: You will further develop your sailing skills, gaining more time sailing the boats yourself. The session syllabus will include items from Stages 2,3 and 4 of the RYA Youth Scheme.
Advanced: The ultimate level, we will bring on your skills teaching you to sail a full range of the boats available, learning racing skills and spinnaker sailing. The advanced sessions will include training from within the advanced modules of the RYA National Sailing Scheme.
Paddle Sports
Beginners: Beginner kayaking is a great way to get out on the water. The session will deliver a basic level of tuition, and run a syllabus including parts of the BCU paddlepower certificate.
Intermediate: You will further develop your paddling skills, gaining further skills and developing your competency.
Advanced: The top level, we will bring on your skills teaching you to paddle a full range of the boats available, learning a range of techniques in paddle sports, including personal rescue techniques, methods of helping others and start to introduce the exciting sport of kayak slalom.
Windsurfing
Beginners: Beginner windsurfing starts with the real basics, just getting you out on a board for some balance games, moving quickly onto using the rig to propel the board. The sessions will deliver a basic level of tuition, and run a syllabus including the RYA Level 1 Youth Windsurfing.
Intermediate: You will further develop your windsurf ability, gaining further skills and developing your competency. The session syllabus will include some items from RYA Level 2 Youth Windsurfing, but cannot complete this qualification due to the sailing area.
