Last year we welcomed over 350 young people onto the water
Our sailing & windsurfing development weeks provide a safe, positive, and challenging learning environment to develop a love of the water, build friendships and have lasting positive impact on young people’s lives.
Exclusively for for children of serving Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel
All training and certifications are provided free of charge, generously funded by Greenwich Hospital and delivered through the Not-For-Profit Andrew Simpson Foundation at locations all over the UK. To ensure no additional costs to anyone taking part, we will provide all specialist sailing equipment, wetsuits and buoyancy aids.
*Please note, young people are eligible for one sailing or windsurfing week per year
Running at 13 locations right across the UK
We’re currently running sailing and windsurfing weeks at multiple centres across the UK, selected for their close proximity to Naval bases and communities:
- Blairvadach Outdoor Education Centre, Scotland
- Andrew Simpson Centre Birmingham
- Andrew Simpson Centre Reading
- Andrew Simpson Centre Portland
- Andrew Simpson Centre Portsmouth
- Children’s Sailing Trust, Helford River, Falmouth
- Children’s Sailing Trust, Trevassack Lake, Helston
- Mount Batten Watersports & Activities Centre, Plymouth
- Horizons Children’s Sailing Charity, Plymouth
- Liverpool Watersports Centre
- All-Aboard Watersports, Bristol
- Flow Watersports, Poole
- Welton Waters Adventure Centre, Hull
I can already see the children have got on really well together, my two children but also the friends they have made. The independence they have got and sense of adventure, trying something new outside their comfort zone. I can see by the smiles on their faces when I pick them up”
Parent feedback, 2025
I think that it was the best it could be. I enjoyed learning how to sail and sailing with others the most.”
Participant feedback, 2025
The best part of the two-day experience for me was doing something very different that gave me a great sense of achievement and adventure!”
Participant feedback, 2025
My husband has just deployed. He dropped the kids off on the Monday for their Youth Crew course and has now deployed. So, it is helpful for them to be with other RN kids and have that companionship”
Parent feedback, 2025
An excellent week; the instructor and support staff were all great and made it so enjoyable for the kids. They are very proud to have achieved a qualification too.”
Parent feedback, 2025
Learning with others from a Naval Family is really interesting because you are able to ask them and talk to them about their experiences”
Participant feedback, 2025
RNSA Youth Crew has changed Jack’s* life. This Summer has seen Jack’s Dad on deployment and having RNSA Youth Crew and the ASC Portsmouth Staff on hand to support him has made this time of Family separation pass more quickly.”
Jack’s mum
*Participant names have been changed to preserve privacy.
