Somerspirit

We’re excited to have our own sailing dinghy here in Somerset. We’re now based at Durleigh Sailing Centre. Follow us on Facebook for our latest news and events. Find our photo archives on Flickr.

Adventure on our doorstep

Dinghy sailing is a fun, adventurous outdoor activity for our girls, and it’s affordable and easy to organise.

Find out what you need to bring, see forms and risk assessments, read our FAQs and book below.

Our latest news

What do we need to bring?

Please bring these items to sail in:

• Lightweight top and trousers (not denim please!)

• Lightweight jumper

• Windproof jacket

• Towel

• Trainers – which you don’t mind getting wet – or sailing shoes

• Hot or cold drink

• Packed lunch or snack

• Hair band or hair tie for longer than shoulder length hair

• Sun block and hat

Please have a full change of clothes and shoes with you, just in case!

Buoyancy Aids will be provided.

Our risk assessment provides extra guidance for leaders. Please read this carefully.

What about forms and risk assessments?

Leaders are responsible for arranging Information and Consent Forms. Please inform the instructor if any girl has additional needs or medical conditions of which they should be aware.

We have carried out our own Activity Risk Assessment. It includes actions for you to take as Leader. Please review this and identify any additional risks or actions required as appropriate. Durleigh Sailing Centre include the venue’s policies, procedures and risk assessments on their website.

The activity leader holds an appropriate RYA qualification, and is a registered volunteer with Girlguiding who has undergone DBS checks.

Accessibility

We want to make everyone welcome on Somerspirit. Please get in touch with our inclusion adviser to discuss how we can meet your needs.

Disabled parking: There are 2 designated disabled parking spots in the main car park (at ///play.dream.camp), closest to the club house. Head through the first car park, up the hill, to the left of the club house, and round to the right into the main car park. The spaces are not marked out, so please take care to leave a full car door width between vehicles.

Clubhouse access: Access is via 2 steps (at the lake-side front of the club house). Alternatively access via a ramp with rubber matting (from the car park). There is a small sill to get onto the ramp, and a door sill into the club house. The door is standard width.

Toilets: The clubhouse only has standard toilet facilities. An accessible toilet is available for sailing use in the anglers club house next door. The anglers club house is accessed via a short, fairly steep ramp with no handrails. There are narrow double-doors (both will need to be open for a wheelchair user). Please tell us if you think you need help to access this. Inside the accessible toilet is left-hand transfer.

Assistance Dogs: While dogs are not permitted on site to maintain water quality and wildlife, working assistance dogs are permitted. Please be aware that there is blue-green algae in the reservoir, which is toxic to dogs.

Quiet Spaces: The club house dry area includes two sofas that overlook the reservoir. You may wish to bring ear plugs or ear defenders if you want to sit indoors.

Meeting you and showing you around: Please let us know if you’d like someone to meet you in the car park. We can also show you around the venue on arrival if it would be helpful.

FAQs

1. Where is Somerspirit? At Durleigh Sailing Centre near Bridgwater.
2. Where should we park? On entry to the reservoir, turn left and you’ll find the first parking spot (///soup.owls.went). Volunteers and those bringing equipment should go up the hill into the centre (///angle.teams.flag) where you’ll find the main car park (///boom.backed.pitch) and overflow car park / field (///flows.forget.gone).
3. How many girls can fit in the boat? Typically 4 Brownies, 3-4 Guides, 2-3 Rangers at a time.
4. What happens if the weather is unsuitable? We’ll cancel at the earliest opportunity and rearrange.
5. Do girls need to be able to swim? No. The consent form asks if participants can swim 50m. Please let your instructor know if anyone can’t do this. They need to be aware. Participants will wear buoyancy aids at all times while on the water.
6. Can Rainbows join in too? Sorry, no. Participants must be 7+. Check out all of the relevant Girlguiding rules.
7. What is expected of us? Girls will help set up the boat and pack away after sailing. Small groups will take turns to go out in the water. There will be lots of fun!
8. What facilities are there? There are women’s and men’s changing rooms. The women’s changing rooms include 2 toilets and 2 showers plus space for kit bags.
9. Where can we sit? The club house has both wet and dry seating areas. In the dry area there are two sofas and a coffee table overlooking the reservoir. In the wet area there are two tables which will seat up to a dozen each. If you’re outside, there is a picnic table. We’d recommend bringing a tarpaulin, as there is a lot of duck poo on the grass.
10. Are there kitchen facilities? Yes, there is a kitchen with facilities including a kettle and hot water urns, microwave, fridge and mugs. Bring your own tea / coffee / milk. On Saturday mornings there may be volunteer-provided refreshments.
11. Can we have a picnic or BBQ? You are welcome to picnic in the grounds. BBQs on grass are not permitted. Check before organising if you wish to BBQ on the hardstanding.
12. Is there WiFi? Yes, you’ll find the code in the clubhouse noticeboard. Please only access content which is safe, legal and appropriate, and don’t access anything which might bring Girlguiding into disrepute.
13. Can we stay locally? Yes, find out about halls and campsites.
14. What can we do while we’re not sailing? We updated our Shore Pack in 2022. It includes a wide range of water safety activities, quizzes and information sheets suitable for all ages. Younger girls may enjoy doing a Unit Meeting Activity in the clubhouse or outside. Older girls often simply enjoy watching their friends sail and experiencing the tranquility of the environment.
15. Can our girls make their promise on Somerspirit? Yes, that’s a great idea! The girls really enjoy making their promise out on the water.
16. Do you have Somerspirit badges? Yes! Everyone who sails on Somerspirit will get an ‘I’ve been Sailing’ badge! Leaders may also wish to buy Water Adventure badges for girls who have participated. They’re available to order from our local volunteer shops.
17. Can parents stay? Yes, they’re very welcome.
18. Can I bring my dog? Sorry, dogs aren’t allowed on Wessex Water sites, except for assistance dogs.
19. Can I bring my own children? Yes, that’s fine. Remember you’ll need to ensure you have provided parental consent. Include sufficient cover for them as part of your adult to child ratios. Ensure they are properly supervised. They will only be able to join in with the activity if they are aged 7 or over. Please include them in your estimated numbers.
20. Some of our unit have wetsuits and sailing shoes – should they bring them? Yes please. They’ll still need a windproof jacket, hat, and of course a full change of clothes.
21. How do I pay? We prefer payment by bank transfer. We’ll email you our bank account details after the event. However if you don’t have online banking, please provide a cheque on the day payable to “The Guide Association Somerset – Somerspirit”.
22. Can I get involved? Yes please! We’re looking for instructors and volunteers. If you have a sailing qualification, please get in touch. Would you like to brush up your skills and get qualified? If you’d love to give it a go, please get in touch. We will support you with training and mentoring, and you can volunteer at times to suit you.

How do I book?

Please contact us to arrange a sailing session for your unit.

Bookings are subject to availability of our volunteers on the day, as well as suitable weather conditions and approval from the sailing club’s safety officer of the day at the sailing club.

We charge £75 for up to 10 girls or £90 for up to 12 girls or a 3-hour session.  Timings for unit sailings are 1.30 p m to 4.30 p m, to be ready to sail at 2.00 p m.

Find us

Contact us

Please send your booking enquiry using the form below.You can tell us about any access or other needs when you make your booking.

Charity registration

We operate under a separate charity registration. Our charity is called Somerspirit, number 1079490.