ClubCoastalSouthport, MerseysideSouthport Marine Lake and offshore sailing from Southport/Ainsdale coast
West Lancashire Yacht Club
Beginner
Start
Can a beginner start here?
Yacht club, Dinghy sailing, Club racing, Open meetings, Junior sailing, Offshore sailing, Training, Social sailing
Beginner
The club says it welcomes all ages and abilities and invites people to give sailing a go. Its membership page says no experience is needed, and the OnBoard page describes a beginner programme with no experience or equipment needed for children aged 8 to 16. Adult beginners are directed to RYA Levels 1 and 2.
Training
West Lancs describes itself as an RYA Training Centre offering adult RYA Levels 1, 2 and 3, Seamanship Skills, Start Racing, Powerboat and First Aid courses. Junior training is described as Saturday morning training from April to October, with children working through RYA basic courses at their own pace.
The site lists 2026 Open Days on May Bank Holiday Mondays with experienced instructors on the water. It also says taster sessions are offered to young non-members, children aged 8 to 16 can try OnBoard instruction, adults and over-16s can book a taster sail, and friends/non-members are welcome for a no-charge taster sail with an experienced member, normally on Saturdays during the season or by request.
The club has junior training, RYA OnBoard for children aged 8 to 16, and says Saturday is family day. Membership fees include youth, cadet, guardian/carer and family categories, and the membership page says accompanied children under 12 can join for under GBP 5 per month.
Access· Unclear
The site uses inclusive wording and says sailing is for all ages and abilities, but I did not find current visible details about disabled access, accessible changing/toilets, adapted boats, hoists, parking arrangements, or specific access needs support.
Costs
Costs, membership, and boats
Prices
Membership fees are published for new members joining after 1 January 2025: Inport individual age 25 to under 65 GBP 223 annually, Inport joint GBP 312, Inport individual age 65 and over GBP 160, Inport joint 65 and over GBP 251, Outport GBP 73, Youth age 12 to 25 GBP 91, Cadet up to age 12 GBP 51, Guardian/Carer of minor member in joining year only GBP 25, and Family GBP 398. OnBoard sessions are listed as GBP 5 per session for up to 3 sessions. Club boat hire is listed as GBP 10 for the day for members who meet the training requirement.
Members can hire club dinghies if they have completed RYA Level 2 training. The home page says members can hire a club boat for GBP 10 for the day, and lists RS Quests, RS Fevas, RS Zests, Toppers, Optimists and Mirrors. The new member page also says Optimists, Toppers, Quests and Fevas are available to hire at members' rates after Level 2 training.
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