Top tips for parents
The following notes have been prepared to help your children get the most out of their visit to UK Sailing Academy.
- Safety first
- Medical and special diets
- Food
- Luggage
- Clothing
- Valuables
- Pocket money
- Letters of thanks
- Click here to download: Top Tips for Parents including Kit List.
Safety first
Our commitment to safety is 100%. Thanks to the sponsorship of The Lister Trust, we are able to guarantee top quality equipment and instruction. All our craft are maintained by professionals and we are proud to boast the most qualified instructional team in the country.
Your child should receive a recommended kit list for their trip prior to their arrival. Once here your child will be provided with a wetsuit, spray top and buoyancy aid. Their instructor will show them how to wear their kit correctly, and each day starts with a kit check. When necessary, safety helmets will be issued for activities.
As an activity centre, we are regularly vetted by the Health and Safety Executive and the Academy's activities come under the Adventurous Activities Licensing Regulations. Our watersports staff are all trained in First Aid and undergo a full in-service training programme at the start of each season.
May we remind you that your child must be water confident. If this is not the case, please let us know as far in advance as possible.
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Medical and special dietary information
You will receive a medical form for your child with your joining instructions once you have booked. Please fill it in fully, to ensure that we are made aware of any medical condition that your child has, and the medication or alternative treatment that they receive. Any medicines that your child has to take should be packed in a clearly labeled plastic box and given to the Chief Instructor or instructor at the beginning of their stay for safe keeping. Medicines can be kept in the Academy's safe, which is in Reception.
If your child suffers from asthma, they will be used to carrying an inhaler with them, but we would ask that you supply a spare inhaler which, in case of loss can be carried by your child's instructor during the water activities. Please, again, ensure that it is clearly marked.
The centre has access to a local general practice, and the main Accident and Emergency department is located at Newport, four miles from the centre.
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Food
We make sure that our visitors are well-fed, particularly because they will be very active during the week. We offer a full breakfast, a packed lunch and a 3 course evening meal. There are vegetarian options for all meals and packed lunches. We are happy to cater for any special dietary needs if we know in advance what is wanted. Our head of catering will be happy to discuss this with you if necessary.
Should there be any other sensitive issues regarding your child we request that you inform us as far in advance of your child's arrival as possible. Of course, any information regarding your child will be kept in the strictest confidence, and will be released on a purely 'need-to-know' basis.
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Luggage
Please note that, although accommodation is spacious, storage facilities are not limitless and we would urge you to encourage your child to keep their luggage to a minimum. The kit list is really all they need to bring! This also helps them to not leave too much behind.
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Clothing
Please clearly label all items of your children's clothing and equipment, including shoes, towels and outdoor coats. We would also recommend that, with younger children, they help with the packing of their cases, so that there is an increased chance of them recognising their own clothes!
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Valuables
Personal valuables, money and items such as cameras can be deposited in our Reception safe during the day or night. However, as one of the main aims of your child's trip to UKSA is to experience different activities from the usual, we encourage visitors not to bring electronic games, personal stereos etc...We generally find that they'll be busy enough without them!
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Pocket Money
How much to bring? A regular question and a difficult one to answer. There is a soft drinks bar and shop at which they can buy sweets and snacks. In our experience, most parents recommend between £15 -£20 per person, which should be sufficient.
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We hope that these suggestions are helpful to you. If there are any other enquiries that you need to make, please feel free to contact UKSA.