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Water sports Killinchy

Strangford Lough Yacht Club

A members' sailing club at Whiterock Bay that runs RYA courses and Sunday try-sail sessions open to all.

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Strangford Lough Yacht Club — A members' sailing club at Whiterock Bay that runs RYA courses and Sunday try-sail sessions open to all.

  • What you can do: RYA adult sailing courses (16+), week-long youth summer courses (approx 7-15), powerboat and shorebased courses, Sunday morning try-sail sessions.
  • Public access: Members' club, but non-members welcome at Sunday morning try-sail sessions and on summer RYA courses.
  • Booking: Essential — adult courses booked online; book youth summer weeks ahead.
  • Age / ability: Adult courses 16+; youth courses approx 7-15. Swimming ability not confirmed online — check with the operator.
  • Kit provided: Not confirmed online — check with the operator what to bring.
  • Season: Courses and sessions run mainly through summer, roughly June-August; weather and wind dependent.
Plan your visit

Learn to sail with RYA instructors

This is a sailing club rather than a surf or kayak school, so the way in for most visitors is a course. Adults aged 16 and over can take the RYA National Sailing Scheme across three levels — Start Sailing, Basic Skills and Better Sailing — each running around 18 hours. Children roughly 7 to 15 are catered for with week-long youth courses through the summer, run by qualified RYA instructors. There is also a Sunday morning session where non-members are welcome to come and try sailing before committing to anything. It suits complete beginners as well as people building towards more advanced modules and powerboat or shorebased qualifications.

Members' sailing club RYA courses Try-sail Sundays Kids' summer courses Book ahead Whiterock Bay
Good to know before you go:

Operators like this run kids' summer courses, try-sail and come-and-try days, RYA courses and seasonal Sunday sessions; sessions are weather- and wind-dependent, so check their own pages for current dates, bookings and prices.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🩱Swimwear & a warm layerWear your togs under easy clothes; most places provide wetsuits.
  • 🧺A change of clothes & a towelYou WILL get wet — dry clothes for after are a must.
  • 💧Water and a snackYou will be hungry after all that paddling and splashing.
  • 🎫Your bookingLessons and hire usually need booking ahead — have it ready.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
Membership sailing club (RYA training centre)
What you can do
RYA adult sailing courses (16+), week-long youth summer courses (approx 7-15), powerboat and shorebased courses, Sunday morning try-sail sessions
Public access
Members' club, but non-members welcome at Sunday morning try-sail sessions and on summer RYA courses
Booking
Essential — adult courses booked online; book youth summer weeks ahead
Age / ability
Adult courses 16+; youth courses approx 7-15. Swimming ability not confirmed online — check with the operator
Kit provided
Not confirmed online — check with the operator what to bring
Season
Courses and sessions run mainly through summer, roughly June-August; weather and wind dependent
Cost
Not published online — check current prices and membership fees with the club
Launches from
The club at Whiterock Bay, near Killinchy
Parking
Not confirmed — check with the operator
Address
Strangford Lough Yacht Club, Whiterock Bay, Killinchy, Co Down BT23 6QA
Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?
Essential — adult courses booked online; book youth summer weeks ahead
How much is it?
Not published online — check current prices and membership fees with the club
When does it run?
Courses and sessions run mainly through summer, roughly June-August; weather and wind dependent
Getting there

Strangford Lough Yacht Club launches from The club at Whiterock Bay, near Killinchy. Not confirmed — check with the operator. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

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The story

About the operator

Strangford Lough Yacht Club was founded in 1935 and is one of the premier sailing clubs on Strangford Lough, based at Whiterock Bay near Killinchy with direct access to the open lough. It is a membership club with active racing fleets and a busy summer programme, and is an RYA training centre.

Alongside its members' racing, the club runs the RYA National Sailing Scheme for adults and the RYA Youth Sailing Programme for children through the summer, taught by qualified RYA instructors, plus powerboat and shorebased courses.