Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Health and Recreation Department
Sailing – Let The Wind Carry You
SAILING CLUB INFORMATION
At South Lake Watersports, you can choose from complete beginner lessons to experienced sailing courses. A sheltered harbour ensures a safe area to learn, with a larger outer lake to improve and practice. The centre offers RYA sailing courses, taster sessions [free to getactiveabc members], and private lessons to all levels and abilities.
|
Event |
Date |
Time |
Price |
Age
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RYA Level 1 Start Sailing | 2-3 August | 9.30am-5pm | £180 | Age 15+ |
| Junior Learn to Sail Tasters | 17, 30 & 31 Aug | 10am – 12pm | £19.50 | Age 8+ |
| Adult Learn to Sail Taster | 16 Aug | 10am – 12pm | £30 | Age 15+ |
The 2-hour weekend taster sessions are FREE to getactiveabc single, family and corporate members. Simply enter your membership number when booking online and present your membership card on arrival at the centre for your activity.
Windsurfing is a watersport that is a combination of surfing and sailing. The practice of windsurfing is simply controlling the wind while you are balancing yourself on the water. A windsurf board is usually 2.5 metres long with a sail called a rig connected to it which can move in all directions. The size of the sail changes depending on the area and the skill level of the sailor. It can seem hard at first, but it is actually easy to grasp with good training.
Windsurfing Courses will be available in 2026.
What do I need to bring?
For windsurfing, you will need to bring a comfortable pair of trainers that you do not mind getting wet or wetsuit booties, towel and toiletries for changing after your session. On arrival at the Centre you will be issued a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and a soft-shell helmet. Participants will be transported by powerboat from South Lake Leisure Centre pier to the boat park pier to begin their session.
What are the age requirements for windsurfing?
The minimum age for participation in sailing activities is 15 years old.
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PRIVATE LESSONS
Private Sailing lessons are ideal if you want to progress quickly under the watchful eye of a fully qualified instructor. There is one-to-one tuition or tuition for small groups.
The sessions can be booked anytime within the opening hours of the Centre and can be booked by emailing
PRICES
Sailing 1-10 people [1 hour minimum] £120.00 | Extra hour £78.00
All equipment is provided. Delivered by RYA Instructors
South Lake Sailing club offers members the opportunity to get onto the water to practice their sailing skills under the supervision of the RYA qualified instructors and club volunteers.
Date | Tuesdays
Location | South Lake Watersports Centre
Time | 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Cost | £8.50 per session | £6.00 concession
Suitable for age 8+
At each session you can choose to join the instructor lead session, where you will be given a briefing before your session along with coaching afloat, a debrief and signing-off logbooks or sail recreationally.
What is the minimum age and requirement for joining South Lake Sailing Club
The minimum requirement for joining the club is RYA Level One or one year’s sailing experience. The minimum age for joining the club is 8 years old.
Does the South Lake Sailing Club cater for individuals with disabilities?
What do I bring?
Members do not need their own equipment as the club uses the South Lake Watersports’ equipment i.e., boats / boards / wetsuits / cags and buoyancy aids etc. You will need to bring with you the following: swimsuit/shorts, footwear, towel and toiletries.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What sailing dinghies are available to use at South Lake Watersports?
The sailing dinghies available to use at South Lake Watersports are Laser Pico’s, Laser 2000’s, Laser Stratos Keel and RS Feva’s.
For sailing, you will need to bring a comfortable pair of trainers that you do not mind getting wet or wetsuit booties, towel and toiletries for changing after your session. On arrival at the Centre you will be issued a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and a soft-shell helmet. Participants will be transported by powerboat from South Lake Leisure Centre pier to the boat park pier to begin their session.
Upon completion of RYA Level 1 and RYA Stage 1 in Dinghy Sailing, you will be able to assist to rig and de-rig your sailing dinghy, use the slipway to launch and recover your boat, steer your boat and turn, identify wind direction and knot tying. Any person who holds an RYA Level 1 or RYA Stage 1 certificate or the equivalent would be able to apply to join South Lake Sailing Club, meeting every Tuesday, April – October from 6.00pm – 8.00pm. As part of the club, you have the choice to join the instructor-lead session or practice your sailing skills independently.
What do I need to bring?
For sailing, you will need to bring a comfortable pair of trainers that you do not mind getting wet or wetsuit booties, towel and toiletries for changing after your session. On arrival at the Centre you will be issued a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and a soft-shell helmet. Participants will be transported by powerboat from South Lake Leisure Centre pier to the boat park pier to begin their session.
What are the age requirements for dinghy sailing?
The minimum age for participation in sailing activities is 8 years old.
What is the course syllabus for RYA Level 1 in Dinghy Sailing?
Upon completion of RYA Level 1 in Dinghy Sailing, you will be able to rig and de-rig your sailing dinghy, use the slipway to launch and recover your boat, steer your boat and turn, identify wind direction and knot tying.
Any person who holds an RYA Level 1 or RYA Stage 1 certificate or the equivalent would be able to apply to join South Lake Sailing Club, meeting every Tuesday, April – October from 6.00pm – 8.00pm. As part of the club, you have the choice to join the instructor-lead session or practice your sailing skills independently.
Sailing is a pastime enjoyed by millions of people worldwide, both competitively and non-competitively on lakes and rivers to the wide-open ocean. Love an adventure in the fresh air, then small boat sailing could be for you. You can take your family, go with friends or escape by yourself, leaving the stress of daily life behind on the shore.
The health benefits of sailing include muscle strengthening and endurance, cardio fitness will improve through working heart and lungs, mental wellbeing will increase as you socialise with fellow sailors and your agility will improve as you move around the boat. Communication is key when sailing, as the helm and the crew need to know what’s going on both inside and outside of the boat.