
	WELCOME YACHTING DINGHY SAILING PADDLESPORTS POWER BOATS THEORY GALLERY ENQUIRIES

About the Centre

Dinghy Sailing; Yacht Cruising; Canoeing; Racing; Expeditions; Theory Courses; Powerboating and Instructor Courses. Evening sessions, one-day tasters, weekend and five-day courses. The number of options available is extremely varied. You can book a taster session for 2 hours, a 5-day course or anything in between you can even come and see us every week on one of our regular club-sessions.

On the western bank of the River Medina in Cowes we have easy access to safe sheltered waters in the river and the harbour mouth and the more exposed waters of the Solent. When conditions and /or experience permits our activities take place on the Solent, otherwise activities take place on the River Medina to the south of the Centre.

Island Youth Water Activities Centre (IOW) Ltd. is a voluntary organisation grant aided by the Isle of Wight Youth & Community Service. We are a Charity run for the benefit of all young people on the Isle of Wight. Our prime aim being the provision of a variety of water based experiences, which combine challenge, safety and enjoyment. Our secondary aim is to provide training to national standards for young people and potential instructors (of any age). We are grateful to the Isle of Wight Council, the National Lottery Awards for All, Harrison Black Chartered Accountants, the Little Britain Challenge Cup, New Opportunities Fund, Spinlock, Gurit, GKN Employees Charity, Cowes Round Table, and the Friends of IYWAC whose support enables us to fulfil these aims. The Centre is committed to providing equal opportunities. We have the experience and facilities to cater for many special requirements. Although, parts of the Centre are not fully accessible to all currently, our plans to remedy this are well advanced.

IYWAC - Qualified, Experienced Staff Mike Acton - Centre Manager, responsible for all training. Mike is a RYA Dinghy Coach/Assessor, RYA Powerboat Trainer and a RYA Yachtmaster Examiner; he has been with the Centre since 1991.
Robert Everitt – Chief Instructor (Dinghy Sailing). Rob is a RYA Senior Dinghy Instructor (with racing & advanced endorsements), RYA Powerboat Instructor, RYA Cruising Instructor. Robert joined the Centre in 2003.
Kevin Richardson – Chief Instructor (Canoe/Kayak). Kevin is a BCU level 3 Coach, RYA Senior Dinghy Instructor and RYA Powerboat Instructor. Kevin joined the Centre in 2004.
Helen Gilpin – Administrator. Helen has been with the Centre for ten years. Helen will help you choose the right course and will process your booking. Malcolm Booth – Bosun. Malcolm joined the Centre at the same time as Mike, he retires in June 2007. He is buying a yacht and will sail away, we wish him all the best. IYWAC Staff & Helpers – The rest of our staff are volunteers, temporary or seasonal staff. Many have learned to sail or canoe at the Centre and have progressed to instructing others. If you have been sailing or canoeing for some time why not enquire about becoming part of the team.

Programme of Activities

The Centre had another great year in 2006. Over 1400 individuals took part in activities and we organised over 8000 individual learning sessions. 2007 promises just as much excitement and adventure. Read through the brochure to find out more. If the course you want is not here check out our new website www.iywac.org.uk (courtesy of Netguides), for full details of all of our activities and up to date availability information or telephone us 01983 293073.

Prices

As a charity our aim is to provide water activities for young people on the Isle of Wight, therefore, our lowest prices apply to young people from the Isle of Wight. All other young people and adults will pay higher prices. Only young people whose main residence is in the Isle of Wight will be eligible for the IOW Youth Rate. Our test for this will be based upon address and school attended.

Course Fees at IYWAC Include:

Instruction Specialist clothing e.g. wetsuits and buoyancy aids (Oilskins on yacht cruises) Certificates (these are awarded only when all sections of a level have been completed) On expeditions and yacht cruises fuel, moorings and food are included

Course Fees Do Not Include

Travel to and from the Centre Footwear for boating (wellies are available for yacht cruises) Logbooks (Some courses include a handbook) Insurance - The centre is insured against public liability, but if you wish to be covered for personal injury, accident, losses and cancellation you are advised to take out your own policy

Youth Courses

The Centre is operated for the benefit of young people. The majority of our courses are for young people aged 9-19. Any course title in a blue heading is only open to young people.

Adult Courses

We do run a small number of courses particularly for adults. Look for course titles in a red heading.

Adult & Youth Courses

There are other courses where we will accept bookings from both young people and adults, where this is the case there will be alternative course prices for adults and young people. Look for course titles under the green headings.

How to Book

Read through the website. In each section you will find a number of courses described, you will notice that each course has a title, a code and dates when the course is being run. When you find the course that you want, complete the booking form. Make sure to tick 'the read booking conditions' checkbox. There is also a downloadable booking form which you will need to sign and send to IYWAC together with your course fee or a deposit. Please make cheques payable to Island Youth Water Activities Centre or IYWAC. On receipt of your booking a confirmation letter with further details about the activity will be sent to you together with a receipt of your deposit/course fee. Please send a booking form for each individual and each course, if you need more booking forms either photocopy the original, download from our website or ask the Centre for extra copies.

Instructor Courses

At various times during the season we deliver instructor training in Dinghy Sailing, Kayaking, Yachting and Powerboating. For full details on all of these courses please telephone or check our website.

Schools and Groups

This activities programme details all of our courses available for individuals. If you represent a group or school please contact the Centre to discuss your requirements. Much of our time is spent organising activities for groups, especially during school term time. All of our facilities are available for group bookings. Given enough time to plan we can cater for most needs. There is an information pack and separate booking form for groups, please ask for a copy when you make your initial enquiry.

Friends of IYWAC

If you are really keen to participate at IYWAC but cannot due to cost or transport please contact our support group. If you need help with course fees simply write a letter with details of what you want to do and send it to the Friends of IYWAC c/o the Centre. The aims of this group are to support the activities of the centre by fundraising for disadvantaged individuals using the centre and replacement of equipment. To find out how you can help Friends of IYWAC please ask for information.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

More and more young people are completing sections of their award with water based activities. Most of our activities could fulfil the requirements of part of the award. However, please let us know before participating in an activity if you are intending to complete part of your award so that we can advise you on the activities that qualify. We also have a stock of expedition equipment for use on water based
expeditions. There is an information pack and separate booking form for D of E groups, please ask for a copy when you make your initial enquiry.

New IYWAC Building

Plans are well advanced to redevelop the Centre along with our neighbours the Cowes Sea Cadet Corps. At the time of writing the timetable for the rebuild has not been set. For all of the latest news and to see how you may help please keep checking our website.