At Southmere Boating Centre we have provided an active programme of kayaking, canoeing and sailing tuition for school and college students for over forty years.

Many schools, colleges and youth groups come to the Centre purely for fun as they feel that learning to kayak, canoe or sail is hugely enjoyable and a tremendous opportunity for young people to gain new skills.

Additionally we can offer activities suitable for schools’ key stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 commitments and teach kayaking, canoeing and sailing as “outdoor and adventurous activity” elements of BTEC, GCSE and A level PE courses.

The centre is inspected and licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA)* and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and all our activities conform to these governing bodies’ safety standards.(*Southmere Boating Centre is registered with The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) as licensed to provide the following specified activities: Kayaking, Open Canoeing, Sailing Licence details can be confirmed by calling The Licensing Service (tel: 029 2075 5715).

Equipment

Our fleet includes over 100 kayaks and canoes, as well as around 40 sailing dinghies (mostly toppers and bosuns). We also provide personal buoyancy aids and protective wet-weather clothing, etc.

Students are expected to provide a complete change of personal clothing (including footwear) and a towel.

Available activities

The centre is able to offer sailing, kayaking and canoeing at the present time. Southmere Boating Centre operates all year round.

How to book

The flexibility of our timetabling enables us to arrange sessions to suit college and school needs and fit in around busy schedules. Contact the centre to discuss your requirements. We need to know:
Your preferred dates
Your preferred times
Number of students
Any special requirements

We will endeavour to provide sessions that meet your requirements whenever possible.
A booking contract confirming the details of your request will be sent to you in writing.

Upon receipt the details should be checked and one copy of the booking contract signed, dated and returned to the Centre Administrator. The second copy is for your records.

Please note:

Your booking is only confirmed once the Centre receives your signed booking contract.

You will then be invoiced for the booking.

Payment should be made prior to the start of the first booked session.

Group fees
(April’17 to March’18)

Session booked        Charge
(per group of up-to 12*)

Single session             £63.30
(Up-to 1.5 hrs)
Long session               £84.40
(2 hours)

Half day                        £105.50
(2.5 hours)

Full day                         £211.00

*We can cater for much larger numbers of students at any given time but we book groups in multiples of 12.

NOTE: All prices are applicable to bookings that commence after 1st April 2017.

Should you have any questions or queries about booking, please contact Giles Brunning at the Centre on 020 8310 2452 or email us at: southmereboating@gll.org

Learning to paddle a kayak or canoe is a lot of fun and a great way to open up the great outdoors.

Our half-day sessions are tailored to suit your needs, whether you are a complete novice trying paddlesports for the first time or an experienced paddler looking to improve your skills

We can arrange our sessions around your availability

get in touch to organise a date and time

We can teach and assess British Canoeing's One Star award (covering foundation skills), Two Star award (for those with some prior experience) and Three Star awards in white water kayaking, touring by kayak or touring by canoe

All students are provided with personal buoyancy aids to be worn on and around the water and everyone we teach should be water-confident

Although outdoor activities sometimes require a degree of physical fitness, we are able to cater for all abailities

If you have any doubt concerning your ability please telephone the centre for advice on 020 8310 2452

All our sessions are under the direction of suitably qualified instructors

Young people aged thirteen and above are welcome to attend if accompanied by an appropriate adult.

To arrange a session or course contact the centre by email at southmereboating@gll.org or by calling 020 8310 2452

Foundation Safety & Rescue Training

We can also train and assess paddlers for the BC Foundation Safety & Rescue Training course, a fun one-day course involving lots of rescues and getting wet. This is also an essential training course for anyone considering entering the BC coaching scheme.

Date and Times: By arrangement.
Courses Fees: See below

Fees and charges

Half-day session                             £50.00
(Approx. 2.5 hours)

FSRT                                      £65.00
(Per person plus cert. fee)

Holiday activities

Easter:

During the Easter holidays we run four-day sailing and kayaking courses.

Dates and Times: April 10th to April 13th 2017, from 10.30am until 4.00pm.

Fees: £46.50 per person
Our Easter courses have limited places and tend to fill up fast. If you wish to join one of these, call the centre on 020 8310 2452 for an application pack.

Whitsun Half Term and The Summer Holidays:

During the Whitsun half-term and Summer Holidays we run open youth projects from 10.30am until 4.00pm.
All sessions are suitable for both beginners and those with some sailing or kayaking experience.

Dates: See below

Fees: £7.00 per person per day
For our Whitsun and Summer Projects, there is no need to book in advance: simply show up at 10.30am, fill in a registration form, pay your fee and join one of the sailing or kayaking groups. 
Contact the Centre on 020 8310 2452 for further information.

Youth open evening sessions

Throughout the summer term and during September, the Centre is open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for young people to sail and kayak. Session times are 5.30pm – 8.00pm.

Once again there is no need to book in advance: simply show up before the start of the session, fill in a registration form, pay your fee and join one of the sailing or kayaking groups.

Dates: See below

Fees: £5.00 per person per evening
Contact the Centre on 020 8310 2452 for further information.

Visiting School and Youth Groups

We welcome visiting youth groups and generally accept bookings for any number of sessions.

Bookings can be made for any period of the day or evening during the week or weekend, during term time or in the school holidays.

All group bookings must be arranged in advance with the centre.

Contact the Centre on 020 8310 2452 for further information and fees.

Youth Activity Timetable

Easter Courses
April 10th -- April 13th
10.30 – 4.00

Whitsun Half Term Project
May 30th -- June 2nd
10.30 – 4.00

Summer Project
Week 1 July 24^th – July 28^th
Week 2 July 31^st – August 4^th
Week 3 August 7^th – August 11^th
Week 4 August 14^th – August 18^th
10.30 – 4.00

Youth Evenings
Every Tuesday & Thursday in
April, May, June, July & Sept.
(Except during school holidays)
5.30 – 8.00pm