Andrew Simpson Foundation - Andrew Simpson Centres
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Making sailing and watersports accessible to all

It’s time for some summer fun at our UK sailing & watersports centres

Explore our wide range of sailing & watersports courses, activities and adventures at our four UK not-for-profit Andrew Simpson Centres. We run activities and courses for all ages and abilities, and whether you’re looking to try something new or progress in your existing sports we are here to support your journey.

Learning outside the classroom

School trips and youth group activity days

Outdoor education gives students a difference perspective on learning, which can help them achieve their full potential. The Andrew Simpson Centres’ activity days make the outdoors even more fun with a wide range of sailing and watersports activities and bespoke packages ready to be designed.

Explore our adventures for school & youth groups
Events & open days

What’s happening across our community

We’re dedicated to making the water accessible to all. Our upcoming events and open days provide the perfect opportunity to connect with the sailing and watersports community or to discover your local centre if you’re new to the water.

Together we can transform lives

We believe that all young people can  excel and succeed in life and work

All of our Centres are not-for-profit and work in partnership with the Andrew Simpson Foundation to deliver thousands of subsidised courses, specialist programmes and clubs to young people across the UK and overseas.

Andrew Simpson Foundation

Founded in 2013 as a legacy to the passionate and devoted sailor and olympic gold medalist Andrew Simpson MBE, the Foundation is dedicated to transforming lives through sailing.

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Andrew Simpson Centres

Our Centres open up the sailing community to people from all walks of life with all levels of experience, from those who’ve never been on the water to competitors and athletes.

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Our success stories

How we’re transforming lives through sailing

We work closely with groups and individuals to help them grow and succeed through learning new skills, building confidence and developing essential teamwork and leadership skills. Explore some of our success stories below.

Promoting Health and Wellbeing throughout 2022

We believe that participating in sailing and watersports promotes positive health and well-being. Therefore, we have developed two charitable programmes which focus upon young people’s physical and mental health.

The Holiday Activity Fund providing Opportunities on the water for all

In 2022, Andrew Simpson Centres received HAF funding from their local councils, with the support of footballer, Marcus Rashford. The aim of HAF is to provide support to children in receipt of free school meals throughout the holiday periods.

Over 1300 young people took part in our Community Clubs in 2022

All Community Clubs are subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. 88% of the young people who took part in one of our Community Clubs said they felt part of the sailing and watersports community and 50% achieved accredited qualifications.

Our sailing programmes create life-long opportunities for young people

Billie first visited the Andrew Simpson Centre when she took part in our Discover Sailing programme with her primary school. Since then, Billie has progressed through Sailing Club, into Race Club and now dreams of becoming an Olympic sailor. In the future, Billie hopes that sailing will not only help her achieve Olympic success, but also enable her to become a marine biologist. Billie has recently completed her Young Leader programme, a huge step in her watersports career pathway.

“I have made so many amazing friends through sailing. Sailing has helped my confidence to grow and I have had to learn lots of new skills. In the future I am hoping to do the Young Leader programme, so that I can then help other people to enjoy the water just like I do”.

Speak to the team at the Andrew Simpson Centres & Foundation

Make a general enquiry

Whether you’d like to ask about a bespoke activity, a course recommendation or anything else, our friendly Centre & Foundation teams will be able to help. Call during normal opening hours (Monday to Sunday 9am - 5pm) or send a message with the form below:

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    Head office details

    Andrew Simpson Foundation
    First Floor
    31A Church Rd,
    Poole, Dorset BH14 8UF

    +44 (0)300 124 0449
    enquiries@​andrewsimpsoncentres.org
    Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

    You're in safe hands

    All of our courses are led by industry-leading professionals, with experience in working with children and those with additional physical and learning needs.

    RYA Training Centre
    Recognised as experts

    Our centres have RYA accredited instructors and coaches, meaning you are getting the highest level of expert tuition for you and your family.

    Registered with Fundraising Regulator
    Ethical fundraising

    We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator, showing that we are committed to fundraise in a way that is legal, open, honest and respectful.

    Not sure where to go?

    If you'd rather speak to a person, get in touch with our Centres directly on +44 (0)300 124 0449 9am - 5 pm, Monday to Saturday to have a chat.