These courses are run only for members of the Scout and Guide Associations and not the general public.
News Updates
2024 Course Dates and Prices
The course dates for 2024 have now been agreed and have been updated on the web-site. We have held the prices the same as last year, see course pages for details.
Booking Procedure
We are able to provisionally hold places for a particular course for a couple of weeks while you determine the numbers of participants that can attend. After this time, to full reserve places a deposit of £10 per person is required. Leaders will then have until the Booking Closing Date for the course (which is 2 weeks before the course date) to supply all completed application forms and the balance of the course fees. If these are not supplied by this date, the booking could be cancelled or a Late Booking fee will be payable.
Late Booking
It is extremely difficult making last minute changes to course arrangements when participant numbers change and we ask that all bookings are finalised at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the course. This means you must have returned application forms for everybody attending and the full course fee paid. If this isn’t achieved there will be a £5 (per person) late booking fee applied, so please book and finalise your applications and payments in plenty of time.
Payments by Bank Transfer and e-mail bookings
Payments can now be made by bank transfer as well as by cheque. This also means bookings can be made by e-mail, attaching copies of the application forms.
Water Sport Adventure Camps
These Taster Courses are proving very popular and offer excellent value for money. They give the opportunity to try Dinghy Sailing, Paddleboarding and Kayaking/Canoeing over a weekend camp. These courses are offered in addition to our normal formal training courses that follow the national governing body training schemes.
This is an ideal opportunity for Scouts and Guides to try a variety of water sports for the first time and for leaders to offer a water activity weekend camp for their Scouts and Guides, with little effort on their part. The Scout leaders don’t even need to attend (subject to age limitations), although they are very welcome, and anyway, why should the youngsters have all the fun?!
Instructors Wanted
We are always on the lookout for adults who would like to help out at our courses. This could be just someone helping on the course i.e. helping with the catering, or as an instructor for dinghy sailing, kayaking/canoeing or windsurfing. We can assist with fees for formal training courses to get up to RYA or British Canoeing Instructor qualifications. If you are interested contact the Booking Secretary.
Practice/Improver Sessions
In addition to our formal and taster courses, we also offer practice days for those that who wish to gain experience and develop their skills without formal assessments or enrolling on a specific course.
Fantastic Watersports
We offer both water sport taster sessions, providing the opportunity to try dinghy sailing, paddleboarding and kayaking/canoeing during a weekend activity camp (see the Taster Sessions page), and formal training courses in dinghy sailing, windsurfing and kayaking/canoeing for complete beginners or those wishing to develop their skills (see the individual Sailing, Canoeing or Windsurfing web-site pages). All our courses progress through the national governing body training schemes of the Royal Yachting Association and the British Canoeing. The awards also qualify for Scout Proficiency badges.
Quality Courses
We run five courses at Bewl Water throughout the year offering sailing, windsurfing, or canoeing/kayaking from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, catering for all levels and abilities. You also have the option of attending a number of Saturdays from different weekends if you are unable to attend one complete weekend. We also offer a white water canoeing course in Wales from Friday to Sunday. All courses are lead and taught by British Canoeing and RYA qualified instructors.
The emphasis during the courses is fun and enjoyment, second only to safety. The courses comply with rules of British Canoeing, RYA, Scout and Guide Associations and safety is assessed against a comprehensive risk assessment (available on request from the Booking Secretary). All sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and safety equipment is provided (except for wetsuits, which are required for windsurfing and can be borrowed, but need to be reserved in advance). Note that water activities can be strenuous and if participants are not sure if they are fit enough, they should seek medical advice.If you are camping over the weekend (there is an additional camping fee) you will need to bring all your own camping and cooking equipment as well as your food.
For Scouts, Guides, Leaders and Adult Helpers
The weekends are open to members, aged 11 years and over on 31st August this year, leaders and adult helpers, of Scout and Guide movements, from Kent, East Sussex and Greater London South East, who can swim 50 meters in light clothing. A leader or suitable adult, who need not take part in activities, must accompany all Guides and those Scouts under the age of fourteen. For Scouts over this age, leaders do not have to attend as adequate supervision is provided. The accompanying Guider does not have to have Camper’s license. Leaders and adult helpers can attend on their own as well.
Camping pitches are available at an extra charge (see Information Centre page) for Friday and Saturday nights, toilets and washing facilities are provided. A limited number of campervans are permitted, please enquire when booking.
Scouts that are camping need to comply with the Scout Association’s Nights Away Permit Scheme.
At Bewl Water
Bewl Water is the largest inland recreational water space in Southern England with a surface area of 777 acres with three arms stretching for up to 3 miles in length.
Our campsite overlooks the reservoir, with drinking water on the campsite and toilets and washing facilities close by.
