CharityCoastalRoker / Sunderland, Tyne and WearNorth Dock, River Wear approaches and North East coast
Sunderland Yacht Club
Beginner
Start
Can a beginner start here?
Dinghy sailing, Dinghy racing, Yacht cruising, Yacht racing, Keelboat sailing, Powerboat training, First aid training, Social sailing
Beginner
The club explicitly welcomes beginners, says it is suitable for people who want to learn to sail, and describes sheltered harbour conditions for beginners plus progression through training and club-boat use.
Training
Sunderland Yacht Club states it is an RYA recognised training centre. It lists RYA courses for members including dinghy sailing, powerboat, VHF radio examination and first aid. The sail-training page describes 2-day learn-to-sail courses at key times, informal Saturday training for members, and boats for learning and practice. Powerboat pages list RYA Powerboat Level 1 and 2 and RYA Safety Boat courses.
Sunderland Yacht Club is a Roker-based coastal club offering dinghy sailing, yacht cruising and racing, RYA training, accessible sailing and family-friendly membership from Old North Pier.
The club keelboat page says free taster sessions can be organised by the Training Team for people new to sailing and run as required. A 2026 family-night listing also says summer Friday family nights aim to offer casual family sailing, RYA youth learn-to-sail courses, coaching, paddleboards to hire, and bar or BBQs when weather allows.
The club describes itself as family orientated. Current 2026 family-night events mention casual sailing as a family, RYA youth learn-to-sail courses and coaching. The 2026 fees PDF includes family membership and junior membership; junior membership covers the junior plus one adult parent or guardian who must remain on site while the junior is on site.
Access· Unclear
No clear current official information was found on disabled access, wheelchair access, step-free access, accessible changing/toilets, adaptive sailing, or specific access-needs support on the checked official pages.
Costs
Costs, sessions, and boats
Prices
The membership page links current 2026 fees and charges. Extracted examples from that official PDF include entrance fee GBP 0, full membership GBP 310 annual, family membership GBP 350 annual, introductory crew GBP 155 first year and GBP 230 second year, junior membership GBP 80 annual, social individual GBP 36 annual, social spouse/partner GBP 66 annual, and student GBP 40 annual. The club keelboat page lists Hunter 707 hire contributions of GBP 25 for a morning, afternoon or evening session and GBP 35 for a full day. The PDF also lists selected boat-related charges including dinghy facility GBP 60 annual, crane GBP 150 annual, and mooring charges by trot, but course prices were not found on the visible training pages checked.
Official site describes a family-orientated club welcoming beginners, racers and cruisers. RYA directory lists the club as a Club, Training Centre and Sailability Centre with dinghy, youth, powerboat and first-aid courses.
Members can use or hire club boats subject to rules. The club dinghy page says the club has a fleet available for members, hire requires safety cover, and users need RYA Stage 2/Level 2 or equivalent skills outside training. The club keelboat page says members can hire the Hunter 707 for general sailing and racing after skipper accreditation, and gives hire fees. Family-night event details also mention paddleboards available to hire.
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