Club information at a glance.

What is St George's Sailing Club CIC?

St George's Sailing Club (SGSC) was started over 35 years ago. It is run by parent volunteers. It was made into a Community Interest Company for operational reasons in 2026.

Who can join the club?

The club is primarily for students from St George's School. Siblings in Year 6 or above who can sail independently, ideally RYA Youth Level 2 or above, are also welcome. We ask parents and adults who are helping to join as volunteer members.

Do I need prior sailing experience?

No. St George's students do not need any prior sailing experience to join. Siblings in Year 6 or above from other schools are expected to be able to sail independently, ideally RYA Youth Level 2 or above.

Please note that this is a club, not a sailing school. We can provide initial tips, limited tuition and coaching to get you going, but we do not offer RYA Level courses as part of our usual activities. BLYM offers RYA courses in the school holidays, as does Stanborough Lake.

When does sailing take place?

Sailing usually runs on Sunday afternoons, from 1pm to 5pm, during the Summer Term and the first half of the Autumn Term.

Where does sailing happen?

Sailing takes place at Bury Lake Young Mariners (BLYM), a watersports base at Rickmansworth Aquadrome.

How do I know if a session is running?

You will be asked to confirm attendance in advance each week. All updates, including cancellations or changes, are shared via the Spond app, so please download it and make sure notifications are switched on.

Can sessions be cancelled or changed?

Yes. Sailing arrangements may be changed, limited or cancelled depending on weather, safety conditions, volunteer availability or operational requirements at BLYM. Updates are shared through Spond.

Are session places limited?

Yes. Session places may sometimes need to be limited in order to ensure safe operation in line with club procedures, available volunteers, safety cover, weather conditions and the equipment available on the day.

How do I get there?

Families must arrange their own transport, but lift sharing is often organised informally. The address is Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Frogmoor Lane, WD3 1NB. The what3words location is prone.closet.exam. The car park is free. It is about a 5-minute walk from the car park to the BLYM base. Leaving the car park on foot, turn left into the main park area in front of the café and walk up the path. The water will be on your right. Follow the path until you see the gates for the BLYM base, also on your right.

How are parents kept informed?

We use Spond as our main communication platform for weekly sailing updates, session sign-up and practical information. Communication is with parents and guardians rather than directly with students. Parents may sometimes use Spond to arrange informal lift sharing between themselves, but these are private arrangements and are not organised or supervised by St George's Sailing Club CIC.

Do you offer trial sessions?

Yes, we offer up to 2 trial sessions. The cost is £15 per session, paid in advance, and includes a £3 temporary membership fee per session. If you join, this is deducted from the annual membership fee.

How much does membership cost?

Sailing members pay a £30 annual membership fee on joining. Each session attended is then £12. Session fees are invoiced at the end of each half term. You only pay for sessions you attend.

How do I sign up?

Complete the application form found on the website. Email a scanned copy to contact@sgsailing.org.uk. Please also provide the paper copy by post, or bring it to your first session and give it to the Group Leader. Pay the £30 membership fee when returning the form.

How do I pay the membership fee?

Bank transfer to:

NatWest
St George's Sailing Club CIC
Sort code: 60-00-08
Account number: 49357565
Reference: Surname MEMBER
For example: Smith MEMBER

Do parents need to fill in a form?

Yes. Any adult helping with sessions must complete a form for safety reasons. There is no membership fee for volunteers.

Do you need volunteers?

Yes. The club relies heavily on volunteers. No sailing experience is required, although it is helpful if you have it. If you would like to help, please ensure you have also returned a completed membership form.

What kind of volunteer help is useful?

Volunteer help may include assisting with rigging and launching, helping on shore, supporting younger sailors, helping the session run smoothly and contributing to the friendly atmosphere of the club. Some roles require more experience or specific approvals, but many practical tasks do not.

Do regular volunteers need DBS or safeguarding training?

Adults helping regularly on Sundays should normally hold a DBS check and complete RYA Safe and Fun, or equivalent safeguarding training approved by the Directors, in line with club procedures.

Can occasional helpers still help?

Yes. Occasional helpers are welcome for practical support, but they remain under the supervision of a DBS-checked volunteer or Group Leader and should not be left in sole supervision of junior sailors.

What happens at a first session?

New sailors and families should arrive in good time, report to the Group Leader or the person coordinating the session, and make sure all required forms and payments have been completed. Trial sessions are designed to help new sailors settle in, understand how the club works and get safely onto the water.

What shall I bring?

You should bring a change of warm clothes and a towel in case you get wet. Appropriate changing facilities and showers are provided. Bring any snacks or lunch you would like during the break. Bring a debit card or similar if you think you might want to make a purchase from the galley, which sells hot drinks and limited snacks. The galley is card only, with no cash accepted. Bring any medication you might need, such as inhalers or epipens. Particularly in warm weather, bring a water bottle.

What about my medication?

Please inform the Group Leader if you may need to take medication. You may need to keep it with you at all times if you need quick access to it in an emergency.

What shall I wear?

Wear weather-appropriate clothes that you do not mind getting wet or dirty. It can feel colder on the water than on land, so bring an extra jumper or warm layer. Do not wear jeans, as they are heavy and uncomfortable when wet. Bring sunscreen and a sunhat if it is hot. Footwear must cover the toes and have reasonable grip. Feet will get wet. Old trainers are perfect. Open-toed sandals and Crocs are not allowed. You will not be able to sail unless you have appropriate footwear. Wetsuits are available for hire if you prefer, or you are welcome to bring your own, but they are not normally compulsory. Occasionally conditions may dictate that a wetsuit is compulsory, and this will be provided at no additional charge.

Do I need to wear a buoyancy aid?

Yes. Buoyancy aids are provided at no extra charge. Any person walking on the water side of the compound, or participating in activities on the water, must wear a buoyancy aid. You will not be allowed to take part unless you are wearing one.

Are there changing rooms and showers?

Yes. Appropriate changing facilities and showers are available at BLYM.

Where can I leave my belongings?

Please do not bring valuables if you can avoid it, as there are no locker facilities. Bags and spare clothes can be left at the base, but all personal belongings are brought at your own risk.

Can I leave my child and go?

Children under 12 must be supervised by a parent or guardian throughout the session. For older children, parents should follow the club's arrangements for drop-off and collection and make sure the Group Leader knows who is responsible for the child on the day. Unless specific arrangements have been agreed, parents should not assume that the club is providing general childcare outside the sailing activity itself.

Can my child leave on their own at the end?

Children should only leave at the end of the session in line with the arrangements agreed with parents and the Group Leader. If someone different is collecting your child, please make this clear in advance.

What sort of instruction is provided?

This is a club, not a sailing school. Sessions are supervised, and some informal tuition, tips and coaching may be provided to support safe participation, but the club does not usually provide formal RYA-accredited training courses as part of normal sessions.

Can the Group Leader stop someone from sailing?

Yes. The Group Leader may decide that a person should not sail, or that a particular boat or activity should not be used, if this is necessary for safety, supervision, weather or operational reasons.

What about photographs or video?

Photographs or video may sometimes be taken during club activities, in line with the consent arrangements completed by families. These may be used for club-related purposes. If you have any questions about this, please contact the club.

Do I pay if I miss a session?

No. You only pay for sessions you attend. Session fees are invoiced at the end of each half term based on attendance.

Are trial session fees refundable?

Trial session fees are generally paid in advance. If a session is cancelled by the club, the fee would normally be carried forward or otherwise dealt with by the club. If you cannot attend, please let us know as early as possible.

Can adults sail too?

Yes, adults may sail if they can do so independently and if conditions allow, at the discretion of the Group Leader on the day. Non-volunteering adults who wish to sail must pay the relevant adult membership and session fees. Adult sailing is also subject to suitable equipment being available, as priority is given to student sailors.