Who We Are.

ESSA (Enfield Scout Sailing Association) is a voluntary organisation run by qualified sailing and powerboat instructors. It is a recognised Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training Centre , and is also affiliated to the National Schools Sailing Association. The sailing base and courses are mainly suited for young people age 9 upwards, but we regularly have adults (who are always welcome) joining in and achieving many sailing and powerboat qualifications.

We have 4 safety boats and 2 teaching boats that can be used at any one time, as well as first aid kits, qualified first aiders, mobile phone access to emergency services.

Below is an extract from our safety policy. Full copies of this Policy are available from the Principal.

• All participants must be capable of swimming 50m in light clothing and then floating or treading water for a further 5 minutes.
• General swimming in the lagoon (lake) is not permitted.
• All RYA Recognised Training Centre are inspected annually to ensure that equipment, facilities and instructor qualifications meet the required standards.
• All RYA courses are supervised by an RYA Senior Instructor.
• Buoyancy Aids must be worn on boats, on the jetty and on the concrete foreshore.
• Power Rescue Cover is available whenever boats are sailing.

ESSA is organised and run by the Principal and Trustees. The instructors are people who have come through the system and have developed their own skills to a point that they are able to share the joys of sailing with others. They comprise a mixture of Adults, young and old . All are qualified and insured, as well as enjoying what they do.

What do we do??

ESSA, primarily does sailing . Saying this though, many more things can be offered.

As well as many different types of boats, single handers, crewed boats, we can also offer limited canoeing and rafting. When we say rafting, we don't mean the white water stuff. A couple of poles and barrels is what we offer.

The sailing, etc, is always about developing new skills, BUT 90% of the time it is done in a very practical and (hopefully) enjoyable way. We play games during the teaching, as this puts the new skills to good use.

Many different courses are held each year, so check the diary page ("ESSA Diary") for current details. All the courses depend on numbers, but if there is demand for a course, it will possibly be added. Contact the Principal for details.

During the quiet season, i.e. the winter, ESSA is still active with many different land based courses and maintenance. During this time, we also do some training sessions like Safety Boat, First Aid, Navigation, Instructor and Leader trainings, Rescue cover, so that come the summer, we have more people available to keep students safe on the water.

The instructors at the base also develop their own sailing skills, and gain their own awards. ESSA has a youth volunteering scheme for all under 24 yrs of age as well as supporting the Millennium Volunteer Awards for those between 16 & 25. When all helpers sign in and out at the base the hours are logged , and at the end of the year they receive a certificate in recognition of their voluntary work.

If you would like to become an instructor, or just to help out at the base, then speak to one of the Instructors, or Marion who will be happy to help.