Memberships
Healthy Communities
Westminster Boating Base provides a range of Royal Yachting Association dinghy sailing sessions and courses from beginner to advanced including racing. Courses include RYA Level 1 Start Sailing, RYA Level 2 Basic Skills and RYA Level 3 Better Sailing.
We issue RYA dinghy sailing certificates and we're a Royal Yachting Association Training Centre.
These taster sessions are perfect for families - adults and children (age 10yrs+) who would like to give sailing a try. These sessions have an emphasis on fun so book in and try something new.
If you've sailed before and want to progress the instructor will teach you from your current ability.
Must be booked in advance.
Perhaps you want to brush up or reach that next level at your own pace with one to one tuition? We can provide private sailing lessons with a qualified instructor upon request. Up to 3 people in the boat.
Price: £130 per 3hr session
*Winter clothing, 1st Nov-31st March: You will need a 5mm winter weight wetsuit or drysuit at a minimum. We have a limited number available for hire at £5 per session. You will still need to bring shoes, warm under-layers, towel, etc.
If you're a beginner, you will need to attend a course as listed above.
As a proficient sailor you will be reasonably competent at sailing a dinghy without an Instructor onboard and preferably hold the RYA Level 2 Dinghy Sailing certificate.
If you have not sailed with us before, due to the strong tidal flows of the river Thames, you will need to undergo an introduction, familiarisation with an instructor in a crewed dinghy before you can sail alone (see private dinghy lesson above).
Having completed a course or familiarisation, you can join our regular recreational sailing sessions.
All of our sessions are run under the supervision of a safety boat and a RYA Senior Instructor who can provide assistance as required.
Sundays 9.45am-1pm and 1.45pm-5pm (recreational sailing)
Price: £25 or included with membership.
These activity sessions can be booked up to 7 days in advance. You must pre-book.
BOOK NOW
* A full second change of clothes (appropriate for the weather) including soft-soled shoes and a towel.
* Consent form
Nobody will be allowed on the water without these.
* A small padlock to secure your valuables in one of our lockers (optional).
YOU MUST BE READY FOR THE START TIME OF THE SESSION. TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO ONE.
As someone with little or no experience in a sailing dinghy, this course is the ideal place to start. You'll learn all the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to handle a sailing dinghy in up to moderate conditions, setting the foundation for you to be able to sail without an instructor onboard.
Held over 4 days (2 consecutive weekends), on completion of this course you'll be able to join our sessions for 'proficient sailors' on Sundays to develop your skills further, try a single-handed sailing boat or get involved with our racing events.
2025 dates:
Course 1: 26/27 April and 3/4 May
Course 2: 14/15/21/22 June
Take your sailing to the next level with a course that teaches you how to deal with adverse conditions; reinforcing and advancing your techniques.