CHIEFTAIN TRAINING – SWAC

Following a thorough 18 month bidding process Southampton City Council (SCC) selected Chieftain Training to take over the Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC). We got the keys on 1 January 2026 and SWAC is now absorbing the “Chieftain Training – Southampton” Centre, which was located upriver.

We stepped into a difficult situation, there are no forward bookings, all licenses and accreditations were revoked when the previous occupier ceased trading and the site has not been maintained effectively for the last few years years. There are very little records and lots of the fleet needs odd repairs. None the less, while the challenge ahead is large it will be worth it.

The team has worked diligently through January to clean, replace, repair and start putting new processes and licenses in place.

Chieftain Training Announces Vision for the Future of Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC)

Chieftain Training is proud to set out its vision for the future of the Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC). Building on decades of community heritage, we are committed to ensuring that every young person in Southampton has meaningful and repeated opportunities to get on the water, learn new skills, and discover the sea as a place of confidence, resilience, and adventure.

We believe in the transformative power of maritime education — not just for careers, but for personal growth. Learning on the water builds independence, teamwork, decision-making, and a lifelong connection to our coastal identity. SWAC’s future will honour this legacy while expanding access and opportunity across the city.

This is not simply a training programme. It is a mission to make the waterfront an integral part of every young person’s story in Southampton. And it is a long-term commitment to developing the next generation of instructors, leaders, and maritime professionals.

Under Chieftain Training’s stewardship, SWAC will be developed as:

• A hub for local people of all ages to enjoy safe and inspiring on-water activity.
• A recognised UK Centre of Excellence for marine sector careers training
• A destination that attracts visitors, strengthens Southampton’s maritime identity, and contributes to the local economy.

ACTIVITY (POWER, SAIL & PADDLE)
While SWAC has always been a sailing and power boating centre, we intend to broaden the range of activity. On the power front Motor Cruising comes to the site in  February and Personal Watercraft (Jet Ski, will follow, Meanwhile on the paddle sports side, kayaking and canoeing will join the activity range in the first half of this year. More new activities will follow after that.

SOUTHAMPTON CHILDREN

It is our intention to ensure every Southampton Child has the opportunity to engage with a water based activity at least 4 times during their school/college time in our city. We want every school to have the opportunity to bring students to SWAC at least once in primary school (year 4-6), again Pre GCSE (years 7-9), again in years 10-11 and once more when at college. We would be delighted if schools choose to bring children more frequently. We can’t force schools or parents to use our centre but we can make sure we have the resources and staff to accomadate them if they take up the invitation.

SOUTHAMPTON PEOPLE

A huge about of watersposrt is of course not competed through school. There will be a wide range of course and club activity for new sailors, paddlers and powerboats at weekends, summer evenings and mid week.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

SWAC’s location is ideal; for Instructor and skipper training. There will be plenty opportunities for those who want to embark in the marine and outdoor education industries to train and qualify with us. Coupled with our state of the art shorebased training centre in Hamble, we are now able to offer first class packages for super yacht crew, watersports instructors and workboat crew. We intend to continue Choeftains previous work and stand out as a centre of Excellence for RYA UK Instructor Training.

SAILABILITY

SWAC Sailability Club is reborn. Our Sailability Club is an inclusive, friendly sailing programme designed to enable disabled people to enjoy being on the water, build confidence and experience the freedom of sailing in a safe, supportive environment.

 

We are honoured to take responsibility for SWAC’s future. Southampton is at the heart of Chieftain Training’s story and very much within our DNA. The city’s waterfront has shaped who we are, and we are proud to now help shape what comes next. We thanks SCC for putting their trust in us.

About Chieftain Training

Chieftain Training is a leading provider of maritime, safety, and professional training, with training centres in Southampton, Hamble and Scotland. The staff include some of the most highly qualified sailing and powerboat instructors/trainers in the world. We specialise in maritime careers and are both a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) Approved training Provider.

SWAC FAQs

Q: What is happening with SWAC?

A: Chieftain Training has taken on responsibility for the future development and operation of the Southampton Water Activities Centre.

Q: Will the centre remain open to schools and youth groups?

A: Yes. Supporting local young people is central to the vision. We expect school and youth access to expand rather than reduce.

Q: Will SWAC still offer activities for adults and families?

A: Yes. Community access remains a core part of the centre’s purpose, and programme development will reflect local needs.

Q: Is Chieftain Training turning SWAC into a commercial training centre ?

A: Chieftain Training is the trading name used by three separate Not For Profit marine training organisations. There are no shore holders. Professional training is part of the vision for SWAC, and the centre’s community, youth, and educational roles are equally important.

Q: What changes will people notice first?

A: SWAC has been closed for an entire season, so we need to ready it for re-opening in the first quarter of 2026. Improvements will be steady and planned — focusing on facilities, access, equipment, and programme quality. There is no “sudden switch.” Over the next few years visitors will see a more varied program, longer opening hours, newer and more modern equipment and a wider variety of adventure activities.

Q: Will there be opportunities for young people to return regularly, not just for a single visit?

A: Yes. One of the key changes is building continuity, so young people can:

• Start with introductory sessions (through their school, youth group or direct with the centre)

• Return through after-school or holiday programmes

• Join youth leadership schemes or follow a dinghy racing pathway

• Train as instructors

• Move into maritime careers

The future is about building a pathway, not just a one-off experience.

Q: What happens to current SWAC staff and instructors?

A: We have retained much of the existing instructor community, we will also growing new local instructors through apprenticeships, mentoring and qualification pathways.

Q: What is happening to the SWAC fleet?

A: The existing SWAC fleet has all been purchased outright and joined the Chieftain fleet. An aggressive replacement program has started already. In year 1 and 2 the powerboat, keelboat and paddle sports fleets will receive particular attention.

Q: Will there be any new activities

A: Absolutely. Watch this spot as new activities will become available over the next few years. Motor Cruising and PWC training have already joined the roster. We have plenty of surprises planned.

Q: Will SWAC still feel like SWAC?

A: Yes. The spirit, welcome, and identity of SWAC are central and valued. The aim is to protect what makes SWAC special while strengthening its future. All of the best bits will remain. One of our Directors learnt to sail at SWAC with her school when she was a teenager, the other Director instructed at SWAC in the 1990s and naughties. Both have a real attachment to the place and both of their children attended the centre. Our new Centre manager also worked here  as a Senior Instructor 20 yeasr ago Several former staff will be returning and all visitors are invited to return.