Dorchester Sailing Club describes its lake as an ideal environment for both new and experienced sailors. It is an RYA recognised training centre, offers friendly adult training in small groups, and says holiday youth courses include groups suitable for complete beginners.
Training
The club says it is a recognised RYA Training Centre offering dinghy sailing courses under the RYA National Sailing Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme. Its 2026 enrolment notes say adult sessions are currently only alongside youth courses, adult refresher sessions are planned for spring, and youth courses are planned for Easter, summer holidays and Sunday mornings.
No current official taster-session or open-day offer was found. The homepage invites prospective members to visit on a Sunday morning after about 11:00 to see the club in action, but this is not presented as a sailing taster session.
The club describes itself as family-friendly, offers family membership, and runs youth sailing courses. Youth training includes Sunday member courses and school holiday courses for members and non-members, with holiday courses suitable for ages 8 to 17.
Access
The FAQ says the clubhouse is fully wheelchair accessible. It also says the club has no specific adaptations for physically disabled sailing, but the instructing team has some experience teaching people with disabilities and special needs and asks people to get in touch to discuss whether it can help.
Costs
Costs, membership, and boats
Prices
The membership page lists 2026 rates: joining fee GBP35, single membership GBP160, joint membership GBP185, craft registration GBP10 each, berth fee GBP60 per occupied berth and road trailer storage GBP30. Reduced post-1 July and winter membership rates are also listed. The club boats page lists member-only boat hire from GBP7.50 per half day to GBP20 per day depending on boat type.
Official site describes a member-run registered charity with individual and family memberships, year-round sailing, racing and RYA-recognised youth/adult training.
Club boats are available for hire by members only, on a first-come first-served basis with no booking system. Listed hire prices are Tera GBP7.50 half day/GBP9 day; Topper and Pico GBP9 half day/GBP12 day; Laser, Feva, Wayfarer and Argo GBP15 half day/GBP20 day.
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