School & Groups
Sailing Activity Centre

Our all-inclusive waterside activity centre on the Isle of Wight is the perfect place to host residential visits for schools and youth groups. We deliver outdoor activities and water-based programmes designed to increase life skills.

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Increase in self-belief

More than a school trip

Young people of all abilities can learn skills for life in a fun and safe environment at our outdoor activity centre.  

Our customised programmes are designed to build confidence and encourage teamwork, using watersports and the great outdoors to facilitate learning.  

Students can try a combination of different activities that challenge both their personal and team skills. With support from our friendly and knowledgeable crew, they will make lasting memories and discover their potential. 

We believe that no child should miss out on life changing experiences due to their financial constraints. UKSA’s ‘Leave No Child Behind’ fund enables children to access the same opportunities as their peers. 

Skills for life

At UKSA, our mission for children under 16 is to build essential life skills through engaging maritime experiences. Our programmes offer young people the chance to have fun, be adventurous, and develop practical skills — all within a safe, supportive environment. For some, it’s also a first step towards exploring a future career in the maritime sector.

Activities are designed to stretch comfort zones in a positive way, encouraging growth and personal development. Each experience is mapped to our Skills for Life framework, with measurable outcomes shared with schools to assess the impact on every child.

We also conduct a feedback session with each school or group to help us continuously improve and understand how children have benefited from their time with us.

Skills we measure

We focus on six key ‘soft-skills’, chosen for their vital role in a young person’s personal development:

  • Communication
  • Decision making
  • Participation
  • Self-belief
  • Determination
  • Resilience

2024 Results

In 2024, we welcomed 146 schools and groups, with 4,873 young people taking part in our programmes. Feedback showed significant improvements across all six life skills:

74.49% reported improved self-belief, 74.20% increased participation, 72.53% felt more determined, 67.78% became more resilient, 62.88% improved decision making, 62.48% enhanced their communication skills.

Through our activities, students learned the value of persistence — pushing through challenges and building confidence in their own abilities. Many commented on how they had grown personally, with greater trust in themselves and what they could achieve.

Teachers' feedback

“It was the bravest and freest she ever felt when she stood on the bow of the boat. It made her feel like she could do anything.”
George Green Pupil – Year 7

“Can I say a really big thank you to you and all the instructors for making today possible. The children had the most amazing time! I had a bit of a ‘moment ‘out on the water when one of my boys (who finds life quite difficult and rarely smiles) was giggling away! Honestly – it was such a beautiful moment! I haven’t heard him laugh before so I found it a bit emotional.”
Local Teacher – Isle of Wight

“It was great to see them increase their communication and social skills through a range of water based activities through spending a week together.”
Princes Trust – Group Leader

Safety first

Safety is our top priority. On the water, everyone wears a buoyancy aid that keeps you afloat, regardless of swimming ability. You’ll also wear a wetsuit to stay warm, even in the summer, and a helmet for protection. We provide all the necessary safety gear.

With over 35 years of experience hosting young people, we’re proud of our excellent safety record. We have robust safety systems in place both on and off the water and are accredited by external bodies, including the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority and the RYA.

Our goal is simple: for young people to have fun and stay safe.

Our promise

Safety is our number one priority

We are proud of our exemplary safety record

We are proud to hold accreditations from key regulatory bodies, including the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC), the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA), the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), and British Canoeing (BC). We also welcome regular inspections from the relevant authorities to ensure we maintain the highest standards.

In addition, the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, verifies that we:

  • Have a clear process to support effective planning of learning experiences
  • Provide accurate, transparent information about our programmes
  • Offer activities and resources that meet students’ needs
  • Regularly review feedback and use it to improve our services
  • Understand and meet the requirements of schools and youth groups
  • Maintain robust safety management systems to assess and manage risk effectively

Our team is dedicated to helping students aspire, achieve, and have fun while developing essential life skills. All instructors are qualified first aiders and teach in a structured, supportive and safe environment.

We also provide:

  • A low student-to-instructor ratio of 1:6 on the water
  • One safety boat for every six students
  • Constant ship-to-shore communication via two-way marine radios
  • A CCTV-monitored campus, with secure perimeter fencing
  • Coded access to all accommodation blocks
  • Night-time duty supervisors for added safety
  • Comprehensive fire and safety briefings for all groups

Taking part in sailing and watersports has many proven benefits. It helps young people grow in confidence, work better as a team, and build resilience. Our water-based activities give them the chance to try new things and learn important life skills in a fun and supportive environment.

We’ve been running inspiring programmes for over 35 years and believe strongly in the power of outdoor learning to make a real difference. Learning new skills and stepping out of their comfort zone at UKSA can be a life-changing experience — and we love seeing students grow during their time with us.

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Why choose UKSA

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Residential activity
visits

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Activities

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Organiser information

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During your stay

On board a UKSA yacht

Adult group visits

Children's feedback

“I became more relaxed and confident in myself.”
“Believe more that I can do the activities and don’t be scared to try new things.”
“Confidence, now I would just go into any situation.”
“Don’t feel worried about things that are going to happen as they usually turn out well.”
“Try everything as you may regret if you don’t.”
“Even if I couldn’t do something, I would have a go.”
“I am confident in what I do. I will try different things more.”
“I am braver than before..”
“I can now make friends easily and I will try to sing everywhere.”
“I learnt that I need to speak up to be heard.”

Register Your Interest

Get in touch to book your place

Courses accredited by

DE2
British-Canoeing
EuropeanUnion
Martime-Coastguard
AALA

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