The Rydal Penrhos RYA Training Centre Sailing and Water-sports provision is for all pupils who love being in, on and around the water, enabling them to participate and enjoy the freedom of boating, windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking in a safe and fun environment.

Whether a beginner, intermediate or at an advanced level we have something to offer to help your child get the most from their time with us and from the water.

You will appreciate that the location of our school, proximity to the seafront and the opportunity to partake in water-sports in the bay offers a significant benefit to the delivery of an outstanding Outdoor Education programme.

One of very few schools in the UK able to teach sailing and water-sports as part of our enhanced school curriculum for pupils from Year 3 to Year 8 we are pleased to offer certification at RYA Level 1-4 and beyond; Sailing with Spinnakers, Performance Sailing, Seamanship Skills and powerboat courses up to Level 2. We also certificate windsurfing at RYA Level 1-2 and Kayaking through the British Canoeing star award system.

We strive to be an environmentally sustainable department educating our pupils to safeguard the waters and habitats for the future.

For both our prep and senior school pupils we have the Rydal Penrhos RYA Training Centre Sailing and Water-sports Club. It is intended for those who want to learn more, targeting more advanced levels of recreational sailing and water-sports.

The club also exists to develop and further interest in sailing regatta/event racing proficiency. We actively encourage pupils to join into regional and national squad systems to then further their sailing beyond school should they so wish. Regular regional, national and international competitions allow pupils to challenge themselves, and the school also hosts its own annual regattas open to schools and clubs from across the North West.

The school is proud to have a number of pupils who train and sail in both Welsh and GBR National Squads for Tera, Opi, Topper, Feva, Laser and 29er.

The sailing club actively encourages pupils to develop both on and off the water, fuelling their passion allowing them to gain valuable experience in many varied aspects; pupils can expect to increase their skill set; independence, personal self-discipline, to develop in both physical and mental strength, build stamina and character. Sailing encourages team building and cultivates pupils’ social and presentation skills.

Currently club sessions take place April – October after school and at weekends.

The department is well-resourced with a fleet of dinghies appropriate for all abilities from beginner through recreational sailing and on into racing squads. We have a variety of wind-surf boards and sail sizes from beginner to developer, SUP boards and kayaks for all abilities. 

The school has its own private boat park with a choice of slipways for launching depending on surf conditions. We offer a boat and surfboard hire scheme should your child need to hire a boat/board to attend events outside of school. We also offer boat park storage provision.

Petrina Blomeley can be contacted for all administration queries at PBlomeley@rydalpenrhos.com.