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ClubCoastalDeal, KentThe Downs and Deal coast

Downs Sailing Club

BeginnerTrainingJuniors

Downs Sailing Club is a coastal dinghy club at Deal with club sailing, racing, training and family-friendly facilities.

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Start

Can a beginner start here?

Dinghy sailing, Club racing, Training, Family sailing, Social sailing

Beginner
The official FAQ says people do not need to know how to sail before applying to join, and says the club runs beginner courses. The club is members-only, so this should be presented as a beginner route through membership rather than a public drop-in offer.
Training
The official FAQ says Downs SC is a registered RYA training centre, is not a commercial training centre, and runs courses for beginners. It describes summer children's and adult sailing days working towards RYA Start Sailing Level 1 and 2 for adult members and child members aged at least 7.
Taster· Unclear
The official FAQ describes children's and adult sailing days to introduce people to sailing, but says these are open to adult members and child members aged at least 7. No current public taster session, open day, try-sailing date, or booking page was found on the official pages checked.

Activity tags

Club racing· ActivityDinghy sailing· ActivityFamily sailing· AudienceSocial sailing· ActivityTraining· Training

Suitability

Juniors, families, and accessibility

Juniors
The official FAQ says young sailors are welcome, the club encourages their participation in sailing and social events, cadet membership is available for those aged 18 or under, and under-16s need a responsible adult in the family as a member. Beginner training is described as open to child members aged at least 7.
Access
The official FAQ says the purpose-built clubhouse has male and female changing rooms with hot showers and also changing, toilet, and shower facilities for disabled users.

Costs

Costs, membership, and boats

Prices

The official Club Boats page lists 2026 boat hire fees per session, including Topper £12 full rate/£7 discounted, Feva £19/£11, Laser £23/£13, Laser 2000 £27/£15, Dart 16 £33/£18, and Hartley 12/12.2 £23/£13. No current membership or course fee page was successfully found in the official pages checked.

Membership

Local directory and club site evidence describe applications from families, couples and individuals and training for member duties.

Boat hire
The official FAQ says the club has boats available for members to hire. The official Club Boats page says members may hire club-owned boats and lists 2026 per-session hire fees for Toppers, Fevas, Lasers, Laser 2000s, Dart 16s, and Hartley 12/12.2s. Use is restricted to members, with booking forms, committee authority, safety-boat cover, suitable weather, and the club sailing area.

Facilities

Facilities and equipment

Showers· ChangingKitchen· ClubhouseClubroom· OtherBar· ClubhouseClubhouse· ClubhouseChanging rooms· ChangingTraining room· OtherDisabled facilities· Other

Location

Deal · 6 nearby clubs mapped

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Trust

Sources and data quality

Data status
Verified
Find Watersports check
12 Jun 2026
Club verification
Not listed
Sources checked (3)