Learning to sail at Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club is an exciting and rewarding experience, offering the perfect introduction to the thrill of being on the water. You initially start with dinghy sailing, a versatile and dynamic way to learn the fundamentals of sailing in a hands-on, engaging manner. To ensure the highest quality of training we collaborate with Buzz Active, our trusted partner who provides professional instruction for your initial training. Their experienced team will guide you through the essentials, building your confidence and skills. Once you’ve completed your introductory training, you’ll be ready to join the club and continue your sailing journey with access to our fleet, supportive community, and expert guidance.
2027 Training Dates
Course 1 – May 2027
Course 2 – July 2027
What do you get?
Who can apply?
Testimonial
“The desire to sail has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. Finally in my late fifties I stopped putting it off.
Since completing my initial sailing training and becoming a Member at the Eastbourne Sailing Club, I have experienced nothing but encouragement and support from sailors with decades of experience with a sense of adventure and fun running through their veins. My only regret is not finding this club years ago I know have some catching up to do.”
Anthony Pallett
ESSC Academy Graduate 2024
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
The cost of the course is £495 for 2027. Your fee covers the following…
How to sign up
- Read the Fitness Requirements for Training and complete our Training Booking form
- Transfer you deposit or full amount and complete the Bank Transfer Notice. We require a £100 deposit to secure your place and full payment must be paid 8 weeks before your course starts.
- We will then confirm your place on the course.
- Tell your friends of your exciting news.
- We will get you to complete our standard club membership form and training information form for the course.
Is there a level of fitness required?
In general, sailing is a fantastic sport which is accessible to all people regardless of their disabilities or levels of fitness across the UK.
However, Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club does not have any slipway access and uses adult single handed boats for training. As such a good level of fitness is required. This can be compared to walking up and down a shingle beach carrying bags unaided and climbing out of a swimming pool without the use of a ladder.
If you are concerned about your ability to complete this course please arrange a chat with one of our instructors before booking onto the course. Due to the limited availability of this course we are unable to offer refunds should you choose not to complete the course.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes, providing you reach the correct standard you will get a RYA certificate.
What if I can’t make one of the dates?
We would like you to plan to attend all the course dates as you will learn something new every day. However, if you are ill one day we will do our best to catch you up with the rest of the group.
We may not be able to qualify you if you do not attend all the days
Can I do the course without becoming an academy member?
No. We believe the academy membership is not only a very cost effective way to learn to sail, it gives you everything you need for your 1st year.
What if I don’t get to the relevant standard by the end of the course?
This does not happen often, as we will work with you throughout the course. However, in some cases some people do not meet the RYA standards. If this happens, we will discuss the options of continuing your training at a later date or what you need to do for your self development.
What do I need to bring with me on the first day?
As a minimum you will need some clothing that will get wet, and a set of dry clothes to change in to. A wetsuit or similar sailing clothing is ideal. However, we appreciate that you may not wish to invest in new equipment straight away. The club does have a number of wetsuits you can borrow but our range is limited so it is a good idea to bring some tracksuit bottoms, cotton T-shirt and sweatshirt and if you have them, a wind proof jacket and trousers will keep you warm. Also remember your swimming costume and towel. You will also need some shoes that you don’t mind getting wet that are comfy and cover all of your foot. The sun is also more powerful on the water so we would recommend always applying a good waterproof sun cream of at least SPF 30.
What about safety?
Ensure you listen to the briefing at the start of the sessions and safety advice throughout the course. Should you wish to we can provide helmets to help protect your head. However, sometimes accidents do happen, however, one of your instructors will always be a qualified first aider. There will also always be a supporting motorboat on the water whenever you’re sailing. If you are not sure or have any questions on the day please ask. If you get cold during a session please let us know.
What time do we start and finish?
The lessons will start at 9.30am and finish around 4.30pm. However the instructor might want to discuss the morning or afternoon session with the group over lunch so please don’t disappear.
What if the weather is bad?
The weather may be different down the club than it is at home so always assume you will be sailing. There are some days where it will not be possible to sail, however, the course does involve some theory so there will still be lots to learn, though we might finish early if it is not possible to get on the water.
What should I do if I have a medical condition or I am not a very good swimmer?
Discuss with training liaison in the first instance. The course does involve some swimming but you will be in a buoyancy aid at all times. It’s always a good idea to let you instructor know at the start of the day.