Southend Marine Activities Centre
Visit Southend Marine Activities Centre and enjoy a great selection of watersports and other outdoor activities.
The Southend Marine Activities Centre's recently modernised and extended premises stand in a privileged beachside position on Southend's Eastern Esplanade. They provide an excellent base from which to enjoy a range of activities afloat and ashore.
The Centre has an excellent reputation, built up over the last twenty seven years, as a provider of nationally recognised watersports courses. The Centre's programme includes introductory courses in Sailing, Canoeing, Windsurfing, Powerboat Driving and Jetskiing. Similarly, a wide range of improver training is available through formal courses or more informal practice sessions and expeditions.
The Centre also offers a wide range of beach based activities and orienteering at a variety of locations. If you would like to know more about these activities, please give us a call or Email.
Who does the centre cater for?
We would like to cater for everyone regardless of age, gender or ability but unfortunately that's just not possible. Regrettably, our facilities and courses are unsuitable for very young children and we have therefore set a lower age limit of nine years of age. Therefore, to be booked onto a course, you must be nine years of age, or over ,on the first day of the course.
We are often asked about our upper age limit but the simple answer is that we don't have one. Providing you are in good general health, we can't see any reason why you shouldn't have a go if you want to.
Disabled Use
We don't see limited mobility, partial sight or poor hearing as a barrier to participation. The Centre has full toilet and shower facilities and a variety of craft suitable for individuals with reduced mobility.
If you have limited mobility, partial sight, poor hearing or any disability, please give us a call and we will do our best to get you afloat.
What's on Offer?
As can be seen by looking around this site, we offer a wide range of courses. We are keen to react to local needs and work together with other local agencies, such as watersports clubs, the R.N.L.I., the SBC Pier and Foreshore Department and H.M. Coastguard to ensure that essential safety training is available.
On a less serious note, the Centre can be booked for children's parties. You'll find our prices are competitive and that the kids love doing something a bit different on their special day. Go on, splash out and have that party with a difference.
We have also introduced course vouchers either for a fixed amount, or to pay for the whole of a particular course. These can be personalised with the recipients name and used to provide a special surprise present for a friend or relative.
What is provided?
The centre provides all of the specialist equipment required for your course including wetsuits and buoyancy aids.
Our courses are staffed by well qualified, experienced instructors who teach according to methods laid down by the RYA and BCU.
Your course fee also includes the cost of a logbook and certificate, where this is applicable. You need only bring the items listed below.
What must you bring?
All participants in watersports need to bring suitable clothing to wear afloat, plus a towel and a full set of dry clothing. A swimsuit might be useful to wear under a wetsuit (essential for windsurfers).
For most activities, shorts and a light shirt will be suitable on the warmest summer's days but long trousers and layers of warm clothing are essential most of the time. Old trainers or plimsolls are ideal footwear to use afloat.
Sunburn can be a real problem afloat and we would urge you to bring a high factor sunscreen and to use it. A sunhat and sunglasses may also be helpful. The café at the end of our building does supply hot and cold food but long delays may be experienced in peak season so we recommend that you bring a packed lunch if your course lasts all day.
Safety Afloat
Because safety is of paramount importance, all of our activities operate according to a strict set of safety guidelines. These are contained in our "Instructor Manual", a copy of which is available for you to read (in the main classroom). Our Risk Assessments and Instructor Manual are also available to view as PDF files accessable by clicking the "Safety Afloat" button. However, for your convenience we have summarised some of the main safety rules below:
- All participants in watersports courses should be able to swim and must be water confident
- Everyone who goes afloat (instructors and students alike) must wear an approved buoyancy aid at all times
- Shoes must be worn at all times
- No-one will be taken afloat if we believe they are suffering from the effect of drink or drugs
The centre is licensed to provide Kayaking, Canoeing, Sailing and Windsurfing activities under the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 1996. Our other activities do not come within the scope of the regulations, but adhere to the same rigorous safety standards.
What if the weather is foul?
We may have to cancel your course but we will try to provide an alternative. If the course is at the weekend we will try to phone you on Friday. Please phone before you travel and don't pre-empt our decision - the weather may look bad to you but it may be OK for your course.
Reviewed 6 June 2008
Attachments
Booking form for Southend Marine Activities Centre.
18 February 2008 :: Microsoft Word Document :: 1.72 MB (5 Minutes 7 Seconds)
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Further Information
Sailing, a dinghy or small cruising yacht, is one of the most popular and diverse leisure activities in the U.K. today. Yet, despite the wide variety...
Windsurfing offers something for everyone, an addictive sport for all ages and abilities. The RYA scheme has been designed to help you progress rapidly...
Paddlesports continue to be amongst the Centre's most popular activities. Kayaks are still very popular but open canoeing seems to be on the increase.
Kayaks...
Powerboat Courses
The RYA Powerboat Scheme provides a background of safe boat handling, seamanship and essential theory for anyone wishing to drive...
Since we started running them these courses have become an essential part of our holiday programme. Each course offers an opportunity to try many different...
Practical Tests for the International Certificate of Competence
Our normal Powerboat courses and assessments cover all that is required to gain the...
Youth Club Sessions
2 hour evening sessions for youth groups
These two hour sessions are set aside for bona fide Youth Groups. There are three sessions...
The Southend Marine Activities Centre stands in a privileged beach side position on Southend's Eastern Esplanade and provides an excellent venue for...
Evening , Weekend and Daytime Theory Classes
The Southend Marine Activities Centre specialises in the delivery of watersports courses, both afloat...
Birthday Parties
Why not give your child and his/her friends a party to remember. Our two hour children's parties include two activity sessions (chosen...
One to One tuition and Special Sessions for 2 or 3 people
Private tuition can only be provided subject to availability. Regrettably, heavy weekend...
The safety of all participants (instructor and students) in our courses is always top of our priority list.
Being, and therefore feeling, safe builds...
Seasonal and Part-time instructors
The Centre needs a number of seasonal and part-time instructors to staff its programme of watersports courses.
Candidates...
The Centre is continually upgrading its equipment to ensure that we deliver a good service to our customers. As a result, boats and equipment are sold...
The centre is Located on Southend Seafront about half a mile East of the Pier. Driving along the seafront (with the sea to your right) you pass...
Visit the Port of London Authority website for the tide tables for Southend-on-Sea for 2008.
