Dinghy Sailing 2026

Booking for the 2026 Season will open mid-April via the District website
Hemel Hempstead District Scouts Sailing Sessions 2026
Open to all Explorers, Scouts and Cubs over 8 years of age.
Thursday evening dinghy sailing for Cubs, Scouts and Explorers at Bury Lake, (BLYM) Rickmansworth. WD3 1NB.
Individual Explorers, Cubs or Scouts from Hemel Hempstead District can go dinghy sailing this summer! These sessions are run at the Bury Lake Young Mariners centre by qualified and experienced leaders from around the District (your own Group’s leaders will not be running this activity). Youngsters must be confident in water and able to swim 25m with a buoyancy aid.
We would also be delighted to hear from parents qualified or not who would like to come and support these sessions.
Taster session Time 6 -8 pm Dates -Thursdays 7th, 14th, 21st May, June 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th June, and 2nd, 9th July for Thursday evening taster sessions. Youngsters can come to one or all – the programme will be the same. Lots of activities on the water and experience of sailing. They will qualify for a Time on the Water badge too!
Staged badge 1 course will run alongside the taster sessions over 4 weeks;  June 4th – 25th June. We strongly recommend a taster first and all sessions need to be attended to gain the badge. Very limited spaces. The Course is recommended for older Cubs and Scouts. Contact sue@hemel-scouts.co.uk to express interest. Places will be allocated and confirmed after 22nd May.
Transport
Own transport – We need you to be at Rickmansworth by 6.15 to make the most of daylight. Parking is in the Aquadrome car park and there is a short walk down to the sailing base.
Cost Each fun/taster session will cost £9. All fees to be paid in advance on booking. There will be no refunds unless due to circumstances beyond our control we have to cancel a session, or the place can be filled from a waiting list.

Stage 1 Course cost £36.

How to apply
All applications have to be made via the Hemel Hempstead Scouts website: www.hemel-scouts.co.uk/activities/sailing/ including payment. Payment by bank transfer by arrangement. On receipt of the on-line booking and payment, further information will be sent out by email one week prior to your first session.

Other opportunities
Parents or any competent sailors who have already attained Stage 2 activity badge (or RYA Stage 2 or higher and would like to practice their sailing on a Thursday evening should contact Sue Gill for booking details on sue@hemel-scouts.co.uk RYA coursed are available at BLYM in school holidays.
If you have any queries please contact me directly NOT your own Group’s Leaders.
Colin Rivett
07730 352326 rivetts@aol.com
If your preferred evening is sold out, please email sue@hemel-scouts.co.uk to join the reserve list. Please state your child’s name, scout group, preferred evening(s), and phone number.