University ClubCoastalCambridge, CambridgeshireRiver Orwell, East Coast, Solent and other yacht venues
Cambridge University Yacht Club
Beginner
Start
Can a beginner start here?
Student yacht sailing, Yacht cruising, Yacht racing, RYA practical courses, RYA theory courses, Day sails, Weekend trips, Summer programme
Beginner
CUYC welcomes people who like the idea of sailing but have never set foot on a yacht. Its FAQ says beginners and complete novices are welcome on all trips unless stated otherwise, with experienced people on board willing to teach basic skills.
Training
CUYC is an RYA Recognised Training Centre. It teaches RYA practical yacht courses aboard its club yacht, theory courses in Cambridge and specialist one-day courses such as First Aid and VHF Radio. It recommends beginners first gain experience on cruising trips before formal training.
CUYC lists day sails as the perfect yacht sailing taster session. Weekend cruising trips are also described as suitable for all experience levels, while beginners are generally directed toward cruising trips rather than more demanding adventurous trips.
Day sails· ActivityRYA practical courses· TrainingRYA theory courses· TrainingStudent yacht sailing· AudienceSummer programme· ActivityWeekend trips· ServiceYacht cruising· ActivityYacht racing· Activity
Suitability
Juniors, families, and accessibility
Juniors
CUYC is a university yacht club with membership categories for Junior members who are Cambridge students, Senior members such as alumni/research staff and Affiliates. Its safeguarding policy says children who are not studying at Cambridge University cannot participate in club activities. No family or general junior programme was found.
Access· Unclear
CUYC has equal opportunities and adult safeguarding policies covering disability and at-risk members, and members can self-identify as at risk via the trip organiser or Welfare Officer. No specific adaptive sailing, wheelchair access or disabled-access arrangements for yacht trips were found.
Costs
Costs, membership, and boats
Prices
CUYC membership costs GBP30 per year, normally charged with the first sailing or training event. 2026 trip fees list cruising day sails at GBP40 Junior, GBP82 Senior and GBP123 Affiliate; weekend cruising at GBP76, GBP126 and GBP178; and weekend training at GBP145, GBP240 and GBP263. The 2026 summer programme lists Junior GBP295, Senior GBP354 and Affiliate GBP472 per week, plus GBP30 membership if needed and estimated expenses around GBP100.
Official site says Cambridge University Yacht Club is part of CUCrC and offers yacht sailing for University members, including day sails, weekend cruising, training, racing and RYA courses, with beginners welcome.
CUYC operates club yacht trips and training aboard its yacht Skylark; no standalone public or member boat hire offer was found. Members join specific trips or courses rather than hiring the yacht independently.
Facilities
Facilities and equipment
Club yacht trips· OtherDay sails· OtherRYA practical courses· OtherRYA shorebased courses· OtherSummer programme· OtherUniversity yacht club· OtherWeekend cruising· Other
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