Southampton Water Activities Centre - Chieftain Training

09/08/2026

05/08/2026

A lovely review from this week's RYA Powerboat Level 2, taught by Alp!

31/07/2026

Great to have The Gregg School’s new Year 7 in for multi activity. A really nice bunch of kids and excellent teachers.

22/07/2026

Great to see Southampton Lifeboat out at SWAC last night, training new crew. Out of politeness we joined them for a drink afterwards.

21/07/2026

Last week John and Doug, were at Hamble River Sailing Club delivering a RYA Dinghy Instructor course for their members.

Well done to all the candidates, they all passed.

16/07/2026

Tonight’s Dinghy Level 1 course, taught by Alp, every Thursday.

06/07/2026

⛵ Start Your Child's Sailing Adventure with the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme! ⛵

At Southampton Water Activities Centre, our RYA Youth Sailing Scheme provides a fun, safe, and progressive pathway for young sailors aged 8–15 to develop their confidence and skills on the water.

Whether they're stepping into a sailing dinghy for the very first time or looking to build on existing experience, our RYA-qualified instructors will guide them through each stage of their sailing journey.

🌊 RYA Stage 1 – Start Sailing
Perfect for complete beginners, Stage 1 introduces young sailors to:

⚓ Parts of the boat
⚓ Basic sailing principles
⚓ Steering and boat control
⚓ Launching and recovery
⚓ Sailing across the wind and turning the boat

By the end of the course, sailors will be able to steer a dinghy and understand the fundamental principles of sailing.

⛵ Progress Through the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme

Stage 2 – Develop basic sailing skills, ropework, and collision avoidance, while learning to tack and control boat speed.

Stage 3 – Learn rigging, capsize recovery, sailing theory, and how to sail a triangular course independently in moderate conditions.

Stage 4 – Put all those skills into practice in double-handed boats, learning to helm, crew, and solve problems afloat as part of a team.

Our Youth Sailing courses are designed to build confidence, independence, teamwork, and a lifelong love of being on the water.

Find out more: https://chieftain.training/dinghy-sailing/

05/07/2026

Last week's RYA Dinghy Instructor Course at SWAC. The Pre Entry assessment was delivered by John, the course was taught by Gareth and the moderation day completed by Doug. (Interestingly all three trainers worked together at SWAC full time in the 1990s).

05/07/2026

☀️ Summer is here, and there's no better time to get out on the water! 🌊

Whether you're looking to learn to sail, take the helm of a powerboat, test your teamwork with raft building, or enjoy the calm of paddleboarding, we've got something for everyone at SWAC! 🚤⛵🏄‍♂️🛶

No experience? No problem! Our friendly instructors will help you build confidence, learn new skills, and have an unforgettable time on the water.

Ready to make this your best summer yet? Get in touch to find out more or book your next adventure!

https://chieftain.training/swac/

03/07/2026

⛵ Ready to take the next step in your sailing journey? ⛵

The RYA Dinghy Level 2 course at Southampton Water Activities Centre is designed for sailors who have completed Level 1 and want to become more confident and capable on the water.

As part of the RYA National Sailing Scheme, Dinghy Level 2 develops the practical skills and knowledge needed to sail a dinghy independently in light to moderate conditions.

During the course you'll learn:

⚓ Rigging and launching a dinghy safely
⚓ Sailing on all points of sail
⚓ Tacking and gybing with confidence
⚓ Improving boat handling and control
⚓ Man overboard recovery techniques
⚓ Essential ropework and seamanship skills
⚓ Basic sailing theory and safety awareness

Based on the River Itchen, SWAC offers an excellent training environment with direct access to tidal waters, allowing you to develop real-world sailing skills under the guidance of our experienced RYA instructors.

Find out more: https://chieftain.training/rya-dinghy-level-2-basic-skills/