Where to start sailing


If children want to learn to sail or are beginners, the Lymington Optimst Flotilla is not the place for for them! However, the Lymington area is fortunate to have a number of excellent facilities where children can learn to sail.


Salterns Sailing Club

This local sailing club was over forty years ago, when 8 acre pond was created by parents cleaning out an old saltpan with a bulldozer and drag-lines. The depth of the water is approximately three feet, except in one corner where it is 6 feet. It is owned by Hampshire County Council and is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). In order to preserve the pond sailing is only permitted from the beginning of April to the end of October and there are other strict rules governing its use. The club is open to children between the ages of 4 and 15, but there is currently a long waiting list and priority is given to older, local children. The Club has a fleet of Club Optimists and two Racing Optimists and also sails British Moths and Scows. It is an RYA affiliated club and there is a graded series of sailing tests based on the RYA Young Sailors Scheme, and various pennants can be obtained. The first pennant is Yellow, followed by Orange, Red, Blue and Green. These provide a framework for learning and twice a year the club runs intensive an weekend course, known as "Moppy Camp", where more formal instruction and pennant testing takes place. Pennant afternoons are also run during the year. To find out more about the club visit their website or to be added to the Salterns Sailing Club Waiting List.


Schools sailing at the Salterns

A number of the local schools are Associate Members of the Salterns and offer after-school sessions during term-time.


Wednesday Junior Sailing at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club

Wednesday Junior Sailing is a Community Sailing Project that runs every Wednesday afternoon from April through to the end of September. There are two sessions, the first runs from 14.00 - 16.00 and the second from 16.00 - 18.00. The session are open to local children between the ages of 8 and 18. The project is run entirely by volunteers and is open to both beginners and more experienced sailors. Sessions cost just £1. There is no need to be a Club member to join in this activity but children may be disappointed as there is a limit on numbers. It is not possible to book in advance. For more information contact the RLYC.

 

Indoor Sailing

Start Racing Level One Courses for young sailors are run locally in Lymington by Indoor Sailing
The six week courses are run on an indoor sailing simulator and aim to take the anxiety out of the first race, and to help you keep out of trouble! In particular they prepare sailors for their first Open Meeting or for the R Lym Youth Regatta.


 









Club Oppies at the Salterns

Club Oppies at the Salterns


Other local clubs

Other local clubs with Junior sections include:


Sailing courses

To find out information about local sailing courses, check the RYA website. Local centres that offer courses for children include Calshot Activities Centre, Southampton Water Activitis Centre (SWAC), UKSA Cowes and Rockley Water Sports


Indoor sailing simulator

Indoor sailing simulator in action