We provide wetsuits, helmets, and buoyancy aids. Participants should bring:
- Swimwear, shorts, and a t-shirt or rash vest to wear under the wetsuit
- Secure wetsuit shoes or old trainers for wearing in the water
- Labelled clothing
Everything you need to know about your visit
Please inform us as soon as possible. We’ll do our best to accommodate additional participants, subject to bed and instructor availability. Additional students will be charged at the agreed rate, while additional leaders beyond the 1:10 leader-to-student ratio will incur a cost of £40 per person per night.
Please note that changes to group size or gender distribution may affect leader participation in certain activities. To maintain safety and quality, we limit groups to one instructor per six participants.
To help us allocate rooms and instructors fairly, please provide accurate numbers when booking. We understand that recruitment may not always go as planned, so if your numbers change, let us know as soon as possible. Reductions within 8 weeks of the trip may incur cancellation fees — please check our T&Cs for details.
Our ‘Leave No Child Behind‘ funding supports young people who would otherwise miss out on the trip due to family circumstances. Eligibility is based on various criteria, including free school meals.
We also offer separate funding for Isle of Wight students, as well as for Sea.Change and careers courses.
Please note that funding applications must be submitted by the school or group, not individual parents. Contact us for an application form.
Yes, everyone is welcome at UKSA. Dietary, cultural, and health considerations are not a barrier to enjoying a residential trip. Please inform us in advance of any support your group requires.
Yes, everyone is welcome at UKSA. Dietary, cultural, and health considerations are not a barrier to enjoying a residential trip. Please inform us in advance of any support your group requires.
Yes. Each group has its own accommodation, allocated mealtimes, and separate activities. While you won’t formally mix with other groups, you may cross paths in the dinner queue or during free time.
Accommodation is in dorm rooms with bunk beds, sleeping 4-8 people. Rooms have either ensuite facilities or shared washrooms. Each group has separate accommodation.
Yes. Every bed comes with a duvet and pillow (hollow fibre, not feather), along with a sheet, duvet cover, and pillowcase. Bedding is professionally laundered between visits.
Teachers and leaders have separate twin bedrooms and bathrooms (occupancy depends on the number of leaders). Non-participating leaders can use the UKSA waterfront bar or the common room in the Sea.Change building. Leaders can enjoy a free early morning adults-only swim session in our indoor pool. Cowes High Street is a 15-minute walk away, and the nearby cycle path is great for walking or running. We require mobile numbers for any leaders leaving the site.
We allocate accommodation based on group size and gender split. While we’ll do our best to meet preferences, we can’t guarantee specific room allocations.
We’ll use your Booking Form selections to create your programme. If we’re unable to deliver your preferred activities, we’ll discuss suitable alternatives with you.
Group leaders are responsible for managing student behaviour and being actively involved during mealtimes and in the dormitory after hours. Our staff handle safety and instruction during activities but will rely on you to manage behaviour as you know your students best.
Yes! Leaders can take part in watersports if we’re informed in advance. We operate at a ratio of one instructor to six students, and this includes teachers.
- Two towels (one for watersports, one for showers)
- A plastic bag or dry bag for wet clothes
- A roll of bin bags
- A reusable water bottle
- A lidded mug for tea or coffee
- Laminated name tags for wetsuit hangers
Everything is provided at UKSA, so spending money is optional. We can arrange an ice cream van visit, and there’s a vending machine and small souvenir selection on site. Schools can decide on allowing mobile phones and electronics, but we discourage expensive items.
Watersports isn’t glamorous. Please encourage everyone to leave jewellery at home and choose practical hairstyles suitable for wearing a helmet. False nails are likely to get broken.
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