2024 volunteer scheme

The 2024 volunteer scheme application window will open 13 May and close 2 June. The application and availability form will become available closer to the time, no earlier than the end of April.

You must commit to a minimum 4 full weeks of volunteering within the same year, July - August 2024 (Monday - Friday, excluding bank holidays). This is non-negotiable.

• Week 2 Monday 8 - Friday 12 July 2024 (5 days)
• Week 3 Monday 15 - Friday 19 July 2024 (5 days)
• Week 4 Monday 22 - Friday 26 July 2024 (5 days)
• Week 5 Monday 29 July - Friday 2 August 2024 (5 days)
• Week 6 Monday 5 - Friday 9 August 2024 (5 days)
• Week 7 Monday 12 - Friday 16 August 2024 (5 days)
• Week 8 Monday 19 - Friday 23 August 2024 (5 days)
• Week 9 Tuesday 27 - Friday 30 August 2024 (4 days)

For the latest news and updates, sign up to our watersports newsletter and follow us on social media, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Please read the latest version of our Terms and conditions carefully before proceeding with any bookings 

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Cost: £280

About the scheme

Perhaps you’re interested in working in watersports? Maybe you’re looking to do some volunteering? Or maybe you just want something to do this Summer? Come and make new friends and learn lots of new skills both on and off the water!

Our volunteer scheme focuses on developing your confidence, leadership, and coaching skills through on-the-job experience, as well as specific training. The 4-week syllabus includes an introduction to session planning and session running and gives you the opportunity to try out those new skills in a safe environment.

You will be given weekly feedback reviews, designed to give you clear indications of your performance, and achievable goals to strive for. The personal development and confidence gained from the scheme will stand you in great stead to begin your journey to becoming an instructor, if that’s the pathway you want to take, as well as in other walks of life.

Alongside the syllabus, the scheme also helps you improve your personal skills - even if you’ve got no previous watersports experience - through guided in-house training across multiple watersports disciplines. As part of the scheme, volunteers can access training opportunities unavailable to the general public.

The scheme involves preparing and storing equipment, paddling/sailing and participating in sessions. All of which can be very physically demanding, but extremely rewarding.

Previous sailing or paddling experience is not essential, however in cases of high demand for places, priority will be given to those with relevant watersports experience.

Volunteers must commit to the watersports centre for a minimum of four full weeks within the same year, July-August 2024 (Monday-Friday, unless it is a bank holiday week) during the school summer holidays. Please make sure you check any school dates before confirming your availability.

Some testimonials from some of our past volunteers can be found in this information booklet.

Prerequisites

• Must be 15 years old by start date
• Provide us with a minimum 4 full weeks of volunteering within the same year, July - August 2024 (Monday-Friday, excluding bank holidays) this is non-negotiable.
• We would advise wherever possible for continuity to complete weeks at least in pairs, if not all four in a row.
• Must bring enthusiasm and a willingness to work with children, and to adapt to different situations. This is not an easy course, but you will learn a lot and have fun doing so.

What to bring and further information

• Please arrive no more than 5 minutes before your scheduled session time, registration will take place outside of the centre.

• Please check the weather before booking and attending
• At least two changes of clothes (including underwear and shoes) suitable for the weather conditions (no jeans), include a waterproof jacket and hat
• Old trainers needed for the water (something secure, not crocs, flip flops or wellington boots)
• Towel and sun protection
• All participants need to arrive ready changed in suitable clothes for the weather conditions, having already visited the toilet and washed their hands. The toilets in the Watersports Centre building will only be available for participants at the end of their sessions.
• If you are attending for a full day, bring a packed lunch and plenty of drinks and snacks (under 18s are not allowed offsite during the course to buy lunch).
• Separate male and female changing rooms are available for all participants at the end of the session

• We do not provide wetsuits. Feel free to wear your own (most activities do not involve being in the water, so it is not mandatory unless you are doing windsurfing).

• Only the participant (and guardian(s) for those under 18) can enter the Watersports Centre operational area, all spectators are welcome to watch from the public benches.
• The centre reserves the right to alter the activity based on weather or safety concerns on the day.

Related courses

• British Canoeing paddling courses – including personal paddling skills, rescues and instructor qualifications
• Royal Yachting Association sailing courses – including personal sailing skills, Powerboat and Instructor qualifications
• Teen Supreme (ages 13 – 16) – spend the week exclusively with other teenagers devising your own activity schedule
• RYA coaching qualifications – 16 or older? interested in becoming a qualified sailing instructor?

Contact us

Wimbledon Park Watersports Centre
Home Park Road
SW19 7HX

Telephone: 020 8947 4894
Email: watersports.wimbledonpark@merton.gov.uk 

Where to go

Wimbledon Park Watersports Centre
Home Park Road
Wimbledon
SW19 7HX

We recommend using public transport to get here.

Driving

Sat nav post code SW18 5NW takes you to McCluskey's newsagents, on the corner of Revelstoke Road and Elsenham Street, just outside the park.

There is a small car park by Revelstoke Road, but it is often full and parking charges apply.

Free car parking is also available at the Wimbledon Park Road entrance (sat nav SW19 6PE). It is a slightly longer walk across the grass to the Watersports Centre.

For more details email watersports.wimbledonpark@merton.gov.uk 

During the Wimbledon Tennis Championships there is no vehicle access to Wimbledon Park for dropping off and collecting. These parking restrictions may be enforced before the start and after the end date of the championships. Please check the All England Lawn Tennis website  for specific traffic restrictions.