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School Holiday Courses

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Watersports School Holiday Days & Whole Weeks for Children and Teenagers

Our Southampton school holiday activity courses are designed to give children a fun and memorable experience on the water while developing confidence, teamwork and independence.

Activities may include:

  • Dinghy Sailing (2 day, 5 day or as part of a 1-5 day Multi Activity Program)

  • Keelboat Sailing (2 day, 5 day or as part of a 1-5 day Multi Activity Program)

  • Stand up paddleboarding /SUP (taster, 1 day, 2 day, or as part of a 1-5 day Multi Activity Program)

  • Kayaking and canoeing (taster, 1 day, 2 day, or as part of a 1-5 day Multi Activity Program)

  • Raft building challenges (part of a 1-5 day Multi Activity Program)

  • Powerboat experiences (1 day or 2 day course)

  • Windsurfing (2 day, 5 day or as part of a 1-5 day Multi Activity Program)

  • Team games and adventure challenges (part of a 1-5 day Multi Activity Program)

children-paddle-boarding

Flexible Holiday Activity Options

Unlike many traditional holiday clubs in Southampton, SWAC offers flexible booking options for parents.

Our school holiday watersports courses can often be booked as:

  • Single day activity sessions

  • Two or three day activity courses

  • Full week watersports camps

This flexibility makes SWAC perfect whether you need a day of holiday childcare, a short activity course, or a full week of outdoor adventure for your child.

Sailing Courses for Children in Southampton

SWAC is one of the South Coast’s leading watersports training centres, and our holiday courses are often the first step for young people who want to learn to sail.

Children who particularly enjoy sailing may progress onto recognised courses such as:

  • RYA Youth Sailing courses

  • Dinghy sailing development programmes

  • Keelboat sailing courses

Many young sailors who start with our holiday sailing courses in Southampton go on to join regular training programmes and our After School- Southampton Sailing Academy

children-sailing

Holiday Activities for Beginners

No previous experience is required for many of our youth watersports courses in Southampton.

Our instructors will guide participants step by step, making sure everyone learns at their own pace. Activities are carefully adapted to suit the age, confidence and experience of the group.

Whether your child has never been on the water before or already loves watersports, our holiday courses provide the perfect environment to learn.

School Holiday Watersports Courses In Southampton

We have equipped our training room with some of the most common marine diesel engines you are likely to come across. 

Course Age (yrs) Schedule Pre requisite Working towards which award? Likely Craft Beginner Intermediate Advanced
SAILING
Start Sailing Week 8-15 5 days Water confident RYA Stage 1 Zest, Tera, Quba, Pico ✅
Improve Sailing Week 8-15 5 days Stage 1 RYA Stage 2 Zest, Tera, Quba, Pico ✅
Develop Sailing Week 9-15 5 days Stage 2 RYA Stage 3 Zest, Tera, Quba, Pico ✅
Helm & Crew Week 9-15 5 days Stage 3 RYA Stage 4 Quest, Feva, Vision ✅
Cats & Kites Week 10-15 5 days Stage 4 RYA Dinghy & Multihull Spinnakers RS 14, Dart 16, 3000, Vision, Vego ✅
Advanced Sailing Week 10-15 5 days Stage 4 RYA Dinghy Performance Vago, 3000, Feva, ILCA ✅ ✅
Start Racing Week 10-15 5 days Stage 3 RYA Start Racing Zest, Tera, Quba, Pico ✅
Improve Racing Week 10-15 5 days Start Racing RYA Club Racing Zest, Quba, Pico ✅
Develop Racing Week 11-15 5 days Regular club racer RYA  Regional Racing Zest, Quba, Pico ✅
RYA Stage 1 8-15 2 days none RYA Stage 1 Zest, Tera, Quba, Pico ✅
RYA Stage 2 8-15 2 days Stage 1 RYA Stage 2 Zest, Tera, Quba, Pico ✅
RYA Stage 3 9-15 2 days Stage 2 RYA Stage 3 Zest, Quba, Pico ✅
RYA Stage 4 9-15 2 days Stage 3 RYA Stage 4 Quest, Feva, Vision ✅
RYA Seamanship 10+ 2 days Stage 4 RYA Dinghy Seamanship Quest, Feva, Vision ✅
RYA Assistant Instructor 14-17 4 days 1 of; RYA Seamanship,
Spinnakers,
Performance, Start Racing,		 RYA Dinghy Performance Zest, Quba, Pico ✅ ✅
Keelboat Conversion 12-17 2-5 days Stage 4 or above RYA Keelboat Sonar ✅
Cat Conversion 12-17 2-5 days Stage 4 or above RYA Multi-hull RS14 & Dart 16 ✅ ✅
Course Age Schedule Pre requisite Working towards which award? Likely Craft Beginner Intermediate Advanced
MULTI ACTIVITY
Multi Activity 8-15 1-5 days None Taster Canoes, kayaks, SUPs, dinghies, keelboats, rafts, boards & mega SUP ✅ ✅
Course Age Schedule Pre requisite Working towards which award? Likely Craft Beginner Intermediate Advanced
PADDLING
Start Paddling 8-15 2 days or 5 half days None Canoe, Kayak, SUP ✅
Improve Paddling 8-15 2 days or 5 half days Taster Discover SUP, Kayak & Canoe Canoe, Kayak, SUP ✅
Develop Canoeing 9-15 2 days or 5 half days Discover Canoeing Explore Canoeing Open Canoes ✅
Develop SUPing 9-15 2 days or 5 half days Discover SUP Explore SUP SUPs ✅
Course Age Schedule Pre requisite Working towards which award? Likely Craft Beginner Intermediate Advanced
WINDSURFING
Start Windsurfing  or Youth Stage 1 8-15 2 days or 5 mornings None RYA Windsurf Stage 1 Boards ✅
Improve Windsurfing 9-15 2 days or 5 afternoons Start Windsurfing RYA Windsurf Stage 2 Boards ✅

Why Choose SWAC for School Holiday Activities?

If you are searching for things for kids to do in Southampton during the school holidays, SWAC offers a unique experience that combines adventure, learning and fun.

Parents choose SWAC because we provide:

  • Professional and experienced instructors

  • A safe and well managed environment

  • Excellent waterfront facilities in Southampton

  • High quality boats and equipment

  • A wide range of watersports activities

  • Courses designed to build confidence and teamwork

Our location on Southampton Water gives us access to one of the best sailing and watersports environments on the South Coast.

red-sup

Outdoor Activities That Build Confidence

Our holiday watersports camps are not just about sport. Time on the water helps young people develop valuable life skills including:

  • Confidence and independence

  • Communication and teamwork

  • Problem solving

  • Resilience

  • Water safety awareness

Many parents tell us their children return from a week at SWAC more confident, more independent and eager to get back on the water.

School Holiday Dates

We run children’s watersports holiday courses in Southampton during:

  • Easter school holidays

  • May half term

  • Summer school holidays

  • October half term

Summer courses are particularly popular and often book up well in advance.

What Children Need to Bring

Participants should bring:

  • Clothes suitable for getting wet

  • A towel and change of clothes

  • Packed lunch and drink

  • Sun cream and hat in warm weather

  • Warm layers in cooler weather

  • Wetsuit (or more ours for £5/day or £20 for 5 days)

All specialist watersports equipment is provided.

child-powerboating

Book a School Holiday Course

If you are looking for the best school holiday activities in Southampton, SWAC offers an exciting alternative to traditional holiday clubs.

Our watersports courses are fun, active and unforgettable.

To view upcoming dates and book online, visit our course booking page.

If you have any questions about which holiday activity course is right for your child, our team will be happy to help.

Southampton Water Activities Centre

SWAC is a leading watersports and sailing centre in Southampton, offering training and activity programmes for children, adults, schools and groups.

Our mission is to help more people enjoy the water safely while developing skills, confidence and a lifelong love of boating and watersports.