Junior Sailing in 2026
Junior Sailing gives children the opportunity to experience the joy of sailing while discovering the fun they can have on the beautiful River Deben. It is aimed at those who want a taste of sailing, to see if it is for them, or perhaps want to build confidence, ahead of an RYA course or committing to Cadet sailing.
In 2026 Junior Sailing will take place on Saturday mornings from 9.30am to 12pm, starting on 18 April 2026, with sessions approximately every two weeks until the club’s Regatta in July. Our focus is on relaxed sailing sessions to encourage children to enjoy the river in a more confident and safe way. In practice, children will probably spend half the time sailing and half the time playing sailing-related games on the beach. Children may also try swimming on and around kayaks and paddleboards when the water gets warmer.
If you have any further questions, please contact Daniel Watson
📞 07818 011003
📧
What are the dates for 2026 Junior Sailing?
18th April, 2nd May; 16th May, 13th June, 27th June and 4th/5th July (Regatta Weekend) – Google calendar
The 2026 Rules for Junior Sailing are here.
How do I book?
If your child(ren) would like to participate in Junior Sailing 2026, please complete the online booking form.
Who is it open to?
The sessions are open to all children in school years Reception to Year 7, with little or no sailing experience. Children should be confident swimming with a buoyancy aid. Priority places will be given to children whose parents are able and willing to take children out in their own or borrowed boats or are willing to help in the galley, rescue boats or with shorebased activities.
Is there a charge?
There is no charge for Junior Sailing.
What will happen on the day?
Children should arrive dressed in appropriate clothing for sailing and ready to learn how to rig the boats after their briefing. We typically run two flights, at 9.45am for the first flight and 10.30am for the second. Registration for both flights is at 9.30am. There will be other water and shore-based activities, after registration, when not sailing. All children will be off the water and boats derigged, if necessary, by 12noon.
What should children wear?
It is usually colder on the water. Dinghy sailing clothing is useful but not necessary; a waterproof coat, shoes that can get wet (e.g. old trainers or beach shoes but not welly boots), a fleece jumper and a hat. Wear sunscreen appropriate for the conditions.
What should I bring?
Please bring a towel and a change of warm clothes for afterwards. Please bring a correctly fitted buoyancy aid, if possible. The club have a limited number of these available to borrow.
What should I expect?
There will be a mixture of on and off the water activities designed to help children enjoy sailing and being on the water. Junior Sailing is not dinghy sail training and doesn’t count towards any RYA or other qualifications.
There will be safety cover on the water during Junior Sailing. Help from parents or guardians wishing to crew the safety boats is welcome. It’s a great chance for you to get out on the water and see your young sailors in action. No qualifications are needed but bring a buoyancy aid and suitable clothing and footwear.
When not sailing children will be encouraged to swim, play on/ around kayaks and paddleboards, a volunteer will be available to support this, but all children must be supervised by an adult. In cooler conditions more shorebased (warmer activities) will be available. When warmer, the children will be encouraged to enter the water more.
The galley will be open for you to buy a hot drink and something to eat, children will be rewarded with a doughnut when they come off the water. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic or buy lunch from the galley and stay on after Junior Sailing to find out what WSC is all about. Club racing takes place in the afternoon, which is great to watch and generally the Waldringfield beach is a great place to hang out.
Sailing and Racing for Juniors
Many opportunities for juniors to sail, learn and race are in Cadets and Toppers: visit the club’s Go Racing for Juniors page, our Topper Class page, and our Cadet Class page for more information.
