The club says no previous sailing experience is required to join, that it caters for people new to sailing through to qualified skippers, and that qualified skippers coach up-and-coming sailors. It also warns that some trips may be unsuitable for novices, so beginners should ask the event organiser before booking specific trips.
Training
Sundowners says it is RYA affiliated and offers informal skill-builder coaching plus formal RYA training through recognised training-centre partners. The 2026 training page lists beginner sailing and boat-handling instruction, a Boathandling Course on 19-20 September 2026, and RYA Day Skipper / Competent Crew Practical on 28 September-2 October 2026, with email booking.
Sundowners Yacht Club is a not-for-profit virtual sailing club based in London and the south coast, arranging yacht cruising, flotillas, club regattas and London meetups.
The site lists regular London meetups/socials where members, friends, non-members, and people interested in sailing can come along, learn about trips, get a feel for the club, and ask questions. I did not find a current on-water taster sail or formal open day described on the checked pages.
I did not find current information confirming junior sailing, family membership, family sessions, safeguarding arrangements, or age suitability on the checked official pages. One social/event reference mentions members, friends, and non-members, but that is not enough to claim junior or family provision.
Access· Unclear
I did not find sailing-specific accessibility or access-needs information, such as step-free access, adapted sailing, accessible facilities, or support arrangements. A winter walk page says that walking route is paved and fairly flat, but that does not establish accessibility for sailing activities.
Costs
Costs, membership, and boats
Prices
Membership pricing is visible: annual membership is GBP 25 per person by Direct Debit or GBP 29.50 by other means. The club says event yacht hire costs are split between participants with a small supplement for club funds. The 2026 RYA training page lists Boathandling Course at GBP 260 and RYA Day Skipper / Competent Crew Practical at GBP 730. A checked UK event example listed GBP 200 per person and explained what was and was not included, but it was for a past 2022 weekend rather than a current booking option.
Official site describes Sundowners as a not-for-profit virtual sailing club based in London and the south coast, arranging yacht cruising events and London meetups.
The club says most members are not boat owners, so it charters yachts for UK and overseas events once enough skipper and crew capacity is available. Costs are shared among participants. This is evidence of organised club-chartered yacht use, not self-service boat hire for individuals.
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