It's all about learning whilst having fun. It doesn't matter what age your group is, everyone loves to mess about on the water.
Schools & Groups
Taking part in one of our activiites is an amazing experience, for some this may well be the first time they've even seen the sea, let alone been on it!
Sea sport activities are an amazing leveller of abilities, creating confidence and raising self-esteem. Quite possibly a life changing experience.
From the moment your group arrives, they will be looked after. Greeted by our RYA Instructors, they receive a safety briefing before being kitted out with the appropriate clothing and safety equipment.
Schools and groups of all ages and abilities are the core to our business here at Dover Sea Sports. It's an area that gives us great satisfaction in watching the excitement and development of children who may have not even seen the sea, let alone been in a boat!
Safety and standards
Dover Marine Services CIC. is the parent company of Dover Sea Sports, and as a professional marine based company, we know the potential 'nature of our beast'. The number one priority is for the care and safety of any child or adult in-trusted to us.
With stringent Risk Assessments and Safety Policies in place and followed at all times, we have achieved and are proud to be licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Service AALA; Meeting and continuing to exceed the set standards of the rigorous national standards governing adventurous training activities.
Full facility and activity risk assessments are available, which we are happy to supply to you, when required.
The Royal Yachting Association is our sports Governing Body. Governing, inspecting and monitoring everything we do. Therefore, all of our instructors have to teach to an extremely high standard. Not only do they hold the relevant RYA qualifications but have years of experience in their specialist field.
Supervision ratios have also been set by the RYA. You can be assured that there are never more than 6 participants to each instructor. Here at Dover Sea Sports we are also fortunate to have new instructors coming up through the ranks, meaning that the qualified instructor has extra assistance, bringing the supervision ratio down from 6:1 to 6:2.
Youth involvement
As a RYA training centre, Dover Sea Sports is involved with the RYA OnBoard scheme.
The focus of the OnBoard scheme is to get the local children on to the water with a RYA sailing and windsurfing provider.
The OnBoard programme follows a format of;
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Introduction to the sport through taster sessions.
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The opportunity to learn, through courses either with their school or as individuals.
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Exiting with the opportunity to stay in the sport through our Pirates Sailing Club.
The main aim of the programme is not just to link the children to water sport providers, but to link the schools and teachers. Meaning, as the children move on from the schools, the school link is maintained and more children get the opportunity to try watersports.
Funding
Dover Marine Services is set up as a Community Interest Company (CIC), allowing Dover Sea Sports to operate for the community.
Water sports, such as sailing, can be perceived as an elitist sport. Our aim as a CIC is to smash those barriers and open water sport activities to all.
We are very much aware of the constraints to schools and parents when it comes to the cost of activities, therefore course and activity costs are kept to the minimum with any profit ploughed back in to the purchasing of required equipment.
Being a CIC allows us to access grant funding that maybe available to your group. Come and have a chat with us to explore what funding is available.
