CharityInlandAshton Keynes / Swindon, Wiltshire / Cotswold Water ParkWhitefriars Lake, Cotswold Water Park
Sailability at Whitefriars
Beginner
Start
Can a beginner start here?
Accessible sailing, Sailability, Dinghy sailing, Volunteer-supported sailing, Family sailing
Beginner
The club says sailing can feel daunting and that they help sailors develop at their own pace, using suitable equipment and experienced sailors if needed. The boats page also identifies the Hansa 2.3 as a great place to start and the Hansa 303 as suitable while learning.
Training
Sailability says sailors can develop at their own pace and may sail with experienced sailors if needed. The boats page refers to some boats being sailed by more experienced sailors under instruction and permission from Senior Instructors. A related Whitefriars Sailing Club accessibility page says Sailability teaches and develops sailing skills and that the club training section may be able to adapt courses or specialist equipment depending on needs. No current Sailability-specific RYA course schedule was found on the Sailability site.
The 2026 Sailing page lists a GBP 12 single session ticket for visiting sailors and says a season ticket gives access to one-hour sailing slots at Wednesday or Thursday sessions. It also says group visits can be arranged by contacting the bookings email. No current open-day date was found on the Sailability site.
The home page says families can enjoy sailing and learn together. The Sailing page lists a school-holiday-only student ticket, and the boats page says the Drascombe Lugger is popular with groups, particularly children. The What You Need page gives safety instructions for children under 10 on site.
Access
The club is explicitly for disabled sailors and less mobile sailors, with facilities, support and boats intended to make sailing accessible. The facilities page lists two hoists, an accessible toilet, a wet room with shower and hoist, ramps, wheelchair-accessible picnic benches and ample parking. The What You Need page says the club discusses needs before a first visit and asks sailors who need hoisting and use a sling to bring one.
Costs
Costs, sessions, and boats
Prices
2026 costs found: season ticket GBP 80; school-holiday-only student ticket GBP 40; single session ticket for visiting sailors GBP 12. Whitefriars Sailing Club members may sail during Sailability sessions with no additional fee, but must book a time slot if they need Sailability equipment or assistance.
Sailability provides access to boats during booked sessions, including Hansa dinghies, RS Venture Connect boats, a Drascombe Lugger, Wayfarers, Comet Trios and junior boats, with some boats sailed by helms or more experienced sailors under instruction. The Sailability page does not describe general unsupervised boat hire; a related Whitefriars Sailing Club accessibility page says some Hansa boats are available for hire if the hirer has demonstrated competency at or above RYA Level 2.
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