Rye Watersports Royal Yatchting Association Sailing School on the South East Coast and Kent and Sussex border – est. 1986

Dinghy Sailing courses and private sailing lessons for beginners and advanced pupils. Our large coastal lake is easily accessible by rail or road if you live in London, Kent, Sussex or Surrey. Its close proximity to the sea makes our lake the perfect venue for a sailing school. Winds come directly off the sea, and being on the tip of the South East Coast the wind funnels in over the Kent and Sussex shore to create great sea breezes unknown to other inland lakes. Dinghy sailing lessons are run on week days and week-ends from March until November.

Introduction

Our dinghy sailing school has the safety of a land locked water area, but you can smell the salt in the air! Dinghy sailing is one of the best ways to relax and unwind. There is enormous fun in getting to the stage where you can helm a boat in a brisk wind, feel it heeling and have the spray being whipped up around you. Or if you just want to sail effortlessly in a light breeze we can get you started.

Our centre is friendly and relaxed, and once you have learnt to helm a boat you can come back and hire, or if you buy your own dinghy you can come and day sail with us. We are one of the few sailing schools in Kent and Sussex that doesn’t require you to become a member before being able to launch your boat.

After your sailing lesson our lakeside centre is perfect for the debrief, chilling out on the decking drinking a beer or enjoying a cappauccino, and watching the sun set over the lake, and the medieval town of Rye.
Rye town, with its cobbled streets, tea shops, bars, art galleries and antique shops, is only a ten minute walk away. A perfect place to while away a few hours, or stay overnight to make a week-end of it.

Dinghy Sailing Courses and private dinghy sailing lessons

Start Sailing Level 1 – Two day course

We take you through all aspects of sailing from rigging to righting the craft after capsize. You will learn to tack upwind and gybe downwind and eventually sail round a set course. All equipment/clothing that you will require is provided (just bring old trainers to wear).

Basic Skills Level 2 – Two day course

Expand your skills and knowledge and learn how to handle a boat in stronger winds and on your own. You will be amazed at how quickly you become totally confident at helming a craft in different wind conditions. The resulting RYA certificate will enable you to hire a dinghy in centres throughout the world.

Private dinghy sailing Tuition

We offer private tuition by the hour in your own boat or one of ours.

Dinghy sailing courses for Children

One of the most enjoyable and safest ways of getting little ones into watersports – remember ‘Swallow and Amazons’! We have an adventure Activities Licence which authorises us to teach under eighteens, and we are regularly inspected to ensure we uphold our standard of care since 1986.