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Taster courses are a brilliant way to introduce young kids to watersports – giving a simple, fast-paced introduction to a variety of activities and leading to plenty of ‘firsts’ – as we discovered when Girl Afloat went along to Rockley to try out a Junior Multi Activity Day…
Rockley’s Poole Park centre operates on a sheltered, shallow lake bordered by an easily accessible shoreline, and, from the moment we drove into Poole Park, it was obvious this was an ideal location for a first taste of independent watersports. Despite being pretty much in the town centre, the lake is quite sizeable – and is actually UK’s largest inland saltwater lagoon!
Multi Activity Days run here at Rockley Poole Park throughout the school holidays from Easter to October half term, split into Junior (for ages 6-9) and Youth (for ages 10-14) with as many as eight watersports activity options listed on the website, which vary depending on group size and weather on the day.
The sun was just coming out as we parked and walked a short way to the base, easily identifiable thanks to the host of Rockley flags fluttering in the light breeze. Girl Afloat (aged 6 at the time) was uncharacteristically quiet, which I put down to nervous excitement.
The centre itself is fairly small and basic – a satellite base to the main Rockley Watersports centre at Rockley Point – but has stacks of equipment, including dinghies, windsurfers, paddleboards and kayaks, along with a fleet of safety boats, all operated by a team of knowledgeable staff.
It’s an extremely professional set-up, the Poole Park base having been set-up in 2007; Rockley as a company has been operating since 1976 – so when it comes to experience in running watersports activity courses for kids, they are certainly a go-to. All the info and comms prior to the day had been exemplary, and we were really looking forward to the course itself – especially as many of Rockley’s summer courses for kids book up super quickly.
Although it’s not necessary for a parent to stay on site, I would really recommend staying in Poole Park to watch if you can. The Rockley base at Poole Park is actually a great spot for parents and others who want to watch from shore, as it’s conveniently positioned next door to a very pleasant café, which makes a perfect vantage point to watch the kids learning to sail, paddleboard and kayak, and it was lovely to have a comfy spot to relax with coffee and cake while watching.
You can also hire pedaloes and rowing boats here – just ask the Rockley team – and there are two very large playgrounds and another café within a couple of minutes’ walk, so it’s ideal location for keeping younger siblings entertained.
Getting started
As we signed in at the base, we were greeted by one of the instructors and handed a suitably-sized buoyancy aid, although I think we could have worn our own if we wanted; we’d brought Girl Afloat’s own wetsuit and wetsuit boots to wear. Waterproofs were also available to borrow but fortunately not needed as it was a warm day – we made sure not to forget suncream! There are simple changing rooms and toilet (no showers) available.
Once the group (totalling 18) had arrived and were ready to go, the team of instructors gathered everyone together on the adjacent lawn, and we found out the three planned activities for that day, which were:
After intros and a few ice-breaker games, the kids were paired up and given paddles, ready for the first of activity: stand-up paddleboarding. Girl Afloat had been a bit hesitant at first but by now had happily made a friend, and looked excited to be trying paddleboarding for the very first time without mum and dad!
Stand-up Paddleboarding – kids only!
Paddleboarding is one of the best ways to introduce young kids to watersports, as it’s great for building confidence on the water and developing co-ordination and balance. Although Girl Afloat has been out plenty of times with us, this was her first taste of paddleboarding without one of us, so I was really pleased that she had this opportunity to try paddleboarding independently.
Getting everyone afloat was a slick operation. You could see the Rockley instructors knew exactly the best way to launch the Stand-Up Paddleboards!
The kids soon had the basic gist of paddling and they slowly made their way out towards the middle of the lake, snaking about behind the lead instructor who shouted encouragement and directions from his own paddleboard, while the other instructors followed behind in safety boats, shepherding any stragglers.
The little fleet then turned and paddled along parallel to the shore, close enough for parents to be able to easily watch. It was at this point that I realised that, while Girl Afloat may have been out on our paddleboards plenty of times, she was clearly is a bit too used to being ferried about by us… Her partner was frantically paddling away on the back of the board, trying her hardest to propel them forwards, while Girl Afloat was just happily paddling as and when she felt like it!
Fortunately, one of the patient instructors helped them to catch up with the rest of the group, and I made a mental note to encourage Girl Afloat to take the lead more on paddling next time we went stand-up paddleboarding as a family!
I was pleased however to see she had plenty of confidence already and she showed off a great sense of balance and didn’t hesitate as the lead instructor challenged everyone to give standing up a try – although without pressuring on those that didn’t want to. They were all able to join in the games and general splashing about, which looked – and sounded! – like a lot of fun was being had.
After that it was back to shore for a quick water break and another briefing on the lawn: time for a kayaking masterclass, as the kids were shown the basics of how to paddle a kayak with a double-bladed paddle.
First time kayaking
Then it was back on to the water and time for Girl Afloat to have her very first try of kayaking. The kids were once again buddied up in twos and threes, and there were plenty of shouts of delight as the instructors pushed the kayaks one by one backwards into the water with a little splash.
Soon the children were all happily kayaking on Poole Park Lake.
Naturally, some of the kids mastered their co-ordination faster than others and powered ahead, following the lead instructor who was this time in the safety boat. For those still learning the best way to paddle a kayak – notably, Girl Afloat and her two companions – the other instructors, themselves in kayaks, stayed close by to give a nudge in the right direction and demo as needed.
Once everyone had caught up, it was time for some fun and games – but not before two of the Rockley instructors showed off their own skills by paddling their kayaks at full pace before tightly turning on the spot in a ‘wheelie-esque’ type move, much to the delight and awe of the kids!
After a quick game of tag, it was time for a race! Some of the kids embraced the competitive element more than others but still there was great celebration when all of the kayaks had finally made it there and back, albeit some with a bit of coaching and the odd tow here and there.
Dinghy sailing land drills
After packed lunches eaten al fresco on the lawn under the watchful eye of the instructors and a bit of chill out time, it was time for the third and final activity: dinghy sailing. This was the activity Girl Afloat had most been hoping to try, and I knew she was stoked at having the chance to sail her own boat without a grown up on board! I have to admit, I was more than a little excited to see how she got on.
Having the chance to try individual watersports like this is a big benefit of a Multi Activity Taster Course, as kids can see which are their favourites and which they might like to do more of. We figured dinghy sailing would be a hit with Girl Afloat as she’s always asking to be in charge of our 2000 dinghy whenever we go dinghy sailing as a family.
But Rockley’s experienced sailing instructors weren’t going to let anyone afloat in their own without a thorough briefing first! The kids were soon gathered around a dinghy pulled up on the grass, complete with mast and sail in place, ready for a demo of how to steer and turn (tack) the boat. Essential know-how if the kids were going to be able to sail their dinghies themselves!
The boats used for this Multi Activity Day session at Rockley are Laser Pico, a simple but responsive dinghy with a high boom and ample space for two or even three kids, making it one of the most popular boats for learning to sail.
After a group briefing on the basic controls, the instructors patiently guided each child in turn through a practise session, ensuring they had understood the essentials of steering the rudder and using the mainsail to control speed. It did take a while with such a big group, but the instructors worked hard to ensure all the kids remained engaged.
Finally it was Girl Afloat’s turn and I was flashed some pretty big smiles as she ran through the drills, with the instructors on hand to talk her through and only a little confusion mid-way as to which was she should be facing!
Learning to sail a dinghy independently
Land drills complete, it was time to launch. The instructors sprang into action, splitting the kids into pairs once again, allocating them to the Laser Picos and quickly launching them backwards off the floating dock. With the boats tied one behind each other in a long line, it was time for a tow out into the middle of Poole Park Lake, where the dinghies were attached to a mooring buoy to allow the instructors to unfurl the mainsails, slot in the daggerboards and make sure all the kids were ready.
Then came the big moment as the Laser Picos were cast off one by one, the kids tasked with steering the boat on a course to and fro across the wind between two marker buoys; the child at the back using the tiller to steer, the child in the front using the mainsheet to adjust the mainsail and control speed.
And just like that, they were sailing!
Revelling in the relative speed and freedom of the dinghies, the kids zipped about quite happily, bumping gently against each others’ boats occasionally as they got to grips with controlling the sailing dinghies in the gentle winds. The instructors – shadowing the Picos in their safety boats – called instructions here and there to help keep the kids at least roughly on track as they sailed zig-zagged back and forth across the wind. Not that they knew it, but they were sailing a beam reach, the easiest and simplest point of sailing and a great place to start.
Girl Afloat beamed at me from the front of the Pico, dutifully keeping one hand on the mainsheet and switching sides whenever they tacked – a concept I knew she was familiar with from sailing with us in the 2000, but nonetheless it was great to see her putting it into practise under her own initiative.
After a while though, you could see her itching to have a go at steering. So when the instructor came alongside in the safety boat and suggested she and her partner swap over roles, she jumped at the chance. This is what she had been most looking forward to!
Things started well, as she found the right seating position from the off and, to all intents and purposes, looked completely at ease. A few wiggles of the tiller and with some words of encouragement from the safety boat and she was soon confidently zipping about with the rest of the fleet…
…Proud mum moment!!
First time capsizing a sailing dinghy
But, just a few minutes, later the previously sunny sky clouded over. Seemingly out of nowhere a stronger gust of wind caught Girl Afloat’s Pico just as her partner inadvertently pulled the mainsheet tighter, catching even more wind in the sail and powering the boat up. The Pico accelerated momentarily before pitching sideways, catapulting Girl Afloat into the water and leaving her partner clinging to the mast. They had capsized!
With both Girl Afloat and her partner looking somewhat surprised but otherwise fine, the nearest instructor acted straight away, positioning his safety boat next to the capsized dinghy and issuing first reassurance and then instructions. Understanding the importance of staying with the boat, Girl Afloat and her sailing partner then swam their way around the back of the Laser Pico towards where the daggerboard was poking through the over-turned hull.
With the instructor flicking the mast tip upwards out of the water, the Pico was quickly righted and with a bit of help, the two kids scrambled back on board – soggy and a little astonished, but ultimately pretty exhilarated by their capsize experience.
With the wind building and the afternoon wearing on, the lead instructor made the decision to end the session at that point. One by one the Picos were guided back towards the mooring buoy and the sails furled, ready for the tow back to shore.
Once back on dry land, the kids of course couldn’t resist the opportunity for a quick jump into the water before it was time to change into dry clothes and rendezvous with their parents and bombard them with tales of their adventures.
In our case, we listened to a pretty full account over big bowls of ice cream from the cafe; we were super proud of Girl Afloat for giving all the activities a go, not to mention capsizing a dinghy for the first time and taking the experience completely in her stride.
It had been a big day of firsts – not just the capsize (which actually turned out to be her favourite part of the day!) but trying kayaking for the first time, and trying both sailing and paddleboarding by herself.
All in all, Girl Afloat had really enjoyed the Junior Multi Activity Day at Rockley, and gave it a huge thumbs up!
