Our Recreational Sailing (or Pay & Play as it’s also known) is what we think is the easiest way to get afloat and enjoying dinghy sailing – without the hassle of duties, committee members or dinghy park fees!
With a list of almost 100 bits of kit, we have fully maintained sailing dinghy’s available for most abilities.
Clicking, picking and booking has never been easier!
Whilst we are powered by Active Nation, a cause-led charity on a mission to persuade the nation to be active – we can’t just give our kit out to anybody!
You need to showcase your love for sailing in one of two ways – it’s fair and it’s standardised across the board:
1. Hold a RYA (Royal Yachting Assosiation) Basic Skills certificate. This is a globally recognised Dinghy/Multihull/Keelboat sailing qualification that means you can rig, launch, sail and recover sailing boats
2. Undertake a direct assessment. This usually takes between 90 – 120 minutes and one of our fantastic team will assess your sailing ability. It’s either delivered 1-2-1 or in small groups and costs just £30.
Choose which boats you want to sail, and when! We’ve a variety of single and double handed boats available and these can be sailed directly into the River Itchen and Southampton Water from our purpose build watersports venue, in the heart of Southampton.
You also need to think about how you want to pay. If you’re going to visit often, our Seasonal Passes might be of value. Otherwise, Pay & Play is our most popular option and allows for complete flexibility.
Lastly, think about who you want to sail with. For some, sailing is an activity enjoyed alone. It’s mindfulness, a detox from the busy Monday-Friday routines and provides time to relax and enjoy our local surroundings.
For others, sailing is about the interaction and enjoyment of being with others – so let your friends know about our Pay & Play sessions and bring them along too!
Please note, when sailing a double handed boat, only the helm is required to hold their RYA Basic Skills certificate when conditions are below 15 knots. When conditions are over 15 knots, both sailors require this certification or a Direct Assessment.
The easy bit – click, pick your hire time, date and craft and book online – it’s that simple!
Please remember that if it’s your first visit, you’ll need to bring your RYA Basic Skills certificate with you so that we can keep a copy on file.
We provide wetsuits, waterproof jackets and trousers, bouyancy aids and helmets – unless you already have your own and would like to wear those.
When you arrive our fantastic Instructors will give you a quick briefing, introduce you to the Safety Boat driver before helping you get on your way.
*Please note that availability of Pay & Play changes throughout the year and dependant on the demands of the rest of the watersports venue.
Yes, either an RYA Basic Skill certificate or Direct Assessment is required to access our Pay & Play sailing service.
If you have your own sailing kit, then we’d recommend you bring this.
If not, we provide everything from boat to wetsuit, helmet to spinnaker!
Please note that we do not provide sailing boots or shoes. You must bring these with you (plus a spare set!)
Our premier south-coast watersports venue has on-site parking available for all customers.
Of course! We are a purpose build watersports venue and have a range of changing facilities available.
The sailing areas available on the day are often defined by the weather conditions.
Available at all states of the tide and all conditions
The sailing area between the entrance to the River Itchen and the last blue Weston Tower is available when conditions are less than 15 knots in wind and at certain states of the tide.
Sailing within the shipping channel and between swinging moorings is strictly forbidden.
We pride ourselves on our safety-focused approach so please note this is not complete boat hire. You will be required to remain within set boundaries and within reach of our safety boats.
Children as young as 8 can attend, if they already have their Youth Stage 2 sailing certification.
We have a great range of equipment available for hire including:
RS Tera
RS Quba
RS Zest
Lasers
RS Visions
RS Venture
Dart 16
Wayfarer
Amazing service and getting out on the water every weekend with no strings attached is fantastic! What a great idea!
Great kit, location and sailing area. I don't want to join a local club and have to commit time to the bar and race hut duties so this is much simpler! Click, pick and sail - love it!