Are you an experienced sailor? Our independent sailing experiences put you at the helm, allowing you to go at your own pace and refine your skills.
Whether you're visiting us for sailing, motor boat hire, paddleboarding or any of our other watersports activities on Windermere you are welcome to park on-site for FREE (customers only). We have plenty of on site parking, whatever you book with us and it's FREE for the duration of that activity. See our frequently asked questions section for further details about the facilities available at The Watersports Centre.
FREE
Parking
The Varianta 18 is a sporty 18-foot keelboat from renowned German boat-builder Hanse. Designed for performance and simple operation, it features a spacious cockpit with all sheets and control lines within easy reach. The compact cabin can be used as handy storage or as a room for adults or children. Licensed to carry up to five people, the Varianta 18 combines a swept rig with a fully battened sail for an exciting and responsive sailing experience in a wide range of conditions.
For bookings of 8 hours please call the team on : 015394 39441.
To hire a keelboat, you need to be able to sail to the standard of the RYA National Sailing Scheme Level 2.
Prices include buoyancy aids and fuel. The minimum age to hire the boat is 18 years old, and you must be at least 16 years old to handle the boat under power.
The Laser Bahia sailing dinghy hire on Windermere offers a fun and easy way to get out on the water. This 15-foot, double-handed dinghy features a durable aluminium mast and boom for simple, reliable handling. Ideal for beginner and intermediate sailors, it's a popular training boat for building confidence and skills.
To hire the Laser Bahia, you need to be able to sail to the standard of the RYA National Sailing Scheme Level 2 award
Prices include buoyancy aids. Wetsuits can be hired for £5. The sailing area is limited to within sight of the Centre. The minimum age to hire the boat is 18 years old.
The Laser Pico is perfect for those seeking a fun, easy introduction to sailing. This compact dinghy is suited to single-handed use or for a parent and child, making it a popular choice for relaxed sessions on the water. Designed for training and day sailing, it offers simple handling and dependable performance.
To hire the Laser Pico, you need to be able to sail to the standard of the RYA National Sailing Scheme Level 2 award.
Prices include buoyancy aids. Wetsuits can be hired for £5. The sailing area is limited to within sight of the Centre. The minimum age to hire the boat is 18 years old.
The Laser One sailing dinghy offers a fast, responsive experience for confident sailors. An Olympic-class vessel also known as the ILCA, this single-handed dinghy rewards skill and control. The Laser One is challenging but rewarding; it's ideal for experienced sailors looking to refine their racing ability.
To hire the Laser One, you need to be able to sail to the standard of the RYA National Sailing Scheme Level 2 award.
Prices include buoyancy aids. Wetsuits can be hired for £5. The sailing area is limited to within sight of the Centre. The minimum age to hire the boat is 18 years old.
You don't have to be a pro to get involved. The Watersports Centre at Low Wood Bay offers various beginner sailing lessons in Windermere with expert guidance from instructors, such as:
Choose from either the Laser Bahia dinghy or the Varianta 18ft Keelboat to have your first taste of sailing. The instructor will take you sailing on the north end of Lake Windermere, show you how to sail the boat and give you a chance to steer.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: £70 per person
Occupancy: In the Bahia, min: 2 people, max: 3 people. In the Keelboat, max: 4 people.
Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Included: Sailing dinghy, wetsuit, buoyancy aid and instructor.
Take in the scenery whilst sailing on Lake Windermere on the Varianta 18ft Keelboat with your instructor for half a day, either learning how to sail or honing your skills. Depending on your preference, you can sit back, relax and enjoy being driven around by your very own skipper, or you can learn how to steer and sail with the instructor on board. You are welcome to bring on board food and drinks to enjoy on the lake.
Duration: 4 hours
Price: £130 per person
Occupancy: Min: 2 people, max: 4 people. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Included: Sailing dinghy, wetsuit, buoyancy aid and instructor.
Learn how to sail on Lake Windermere with our qualified instructor and receive your Level 1 qualification at the end of this 2-day course. This course can also take place in the Keelboat for an additional charge of £100.
Duration: 2 day course (8 hrs each day)
Price: £250 per person
Course Numbers: Min: 2 people, max: 6 people. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Included: Sailing dinghy, wetsuit, buoyancy aid and instructor.
Practice the skills you learnt on the Level 1 course and learn how to rig, launch, sail and manage the dinghy without assistance. This qualification means that you are competent to hire a sailing dinghy on your own. This course can also take place in the Keelboat for an additional charge of £100.
Duration: 2 day course (8 hrs each day)
Price: £250 per person
Course Numbers: Min: 2 people, max: 6 people. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Included: Sailing dinghy, wetsuit, buoyancy aid and instructor.
Pre-booking is advised, both watersports equipment hire & activities can be booked online or by phone.
015394 39441
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (open until 7pm on bank holidays and school holidays.)
Enjoy the peace of the water or create precious memories with your family with our sailing lessons and boat hire experiences in Windermere. Remember, guests at any of our English Lakes hotels get 10% off!
Booking in advance is recommended to avoid missing out. Reach out to our friendly team online or by calling the number below to book your sailing experience.
015394 39441
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (open until 7pm on bank holidays and school holidays.)
The open season for our Windermere Watersports Centre runs from April to October. During this period, we're open every day from 9am to 5pm. During school holidays and bank holidays, we're open until 7pm so the fun can continue for longer!
We are completely closed from November to April.
Yes, if the weather conditions are unsuitable or it poses a risk, your sailing on Lake Windermere could be cancelled. If there's adverse weather on the day of your activity, our centre team will call you first thing to let you know. You will be offered the choice of a full refund or swapping to a different activity that isn't reliant on the weather.
Our centre is located at the northern end of Windermere, on the A591 between the towns of Windermere and Ambleside. The nearest railway station is at Windermere (4 miles), and the centre is served by several bus routes.
The Watersports Centre
Low Wood Bay
Ambleside Road
Windermere
Cumbria
LA23 1LP
Alternatively, use our what3words:///aware.warblers.garage
If you are coming by car, we have plenty of parking on site that's free to customers.
We try to accommodate most things our customers may need when sailing with us. Our centre includes:
Yes, day launching is available at our Windermere Watersports Centre during our opening hours of 9am-5pm. Simply report to the Watersports reception to complete a day launch form and pay upon your arrival. We charge £35 per powered craft and £15 per unpowered craft.
Yes, dogs are welcome on-site, but they must be kept on leads at all times. At the owner's discretion and risk, dogs are allowed on:
Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted on:
Life can get in the way sometimes, so if you need to cancel your sailing booking on Lake Windermere, please contact the centre directly by calling us on 015394 39441 or emailing watersports.lowwood@englishlakes.co.uk.
To receive a full refund for your activity, please get in touch at least 72 hours before your booking is due to start. If you cancel outside of this period, you will not be eligible for a refund.If you cancel within 72 hours of the activity starting, you will not receive a refund.
It depends on what type of service you book. If you opt for an instructor-led session, such as the Taster or Keelboat half-day options, your instructor will supervise. However, if you book an independent session, like the Laser Pico or Keelboat hire, you will be unsupervised.
As per our Terms & Conditions, you accept responsibility for the safety of yourself and your party. Under-18s must be accompanied and closely supervised by a parent or legal guardian at all times during the hire.
Please note that all our boats and operators are licensed and inspected by South Lakeland District Council as required under the Public Health Act 1907, Section 94.
Our General Conditions for watersports and boat hire on Windermere are as follows:
You are willing to comply with all safety regulations, instructions and notices.
Safety is paramount to all our activities. However, watersports adventure activities are hazardous by their nature and you accept that there are risks.
Buoyancy aids will be provided for each member of your party and must be properly worn during the activity.
The Company shall not be liable for any loss; this extends to loss or damage to personal property, vehicles and harm to persons on the premises or using the facility equipment.
You can find the full list of Terms & Conditions.
1. I am willing to comply with all safety regulations, instructions and notices.
2. Safety is paramount to all our activities, however watersports adventure activities are hazardous by their nature and I accept that there are risks.
3. Buoyancy aids will be provided for each member of the party and must be properly worn during the activity.
4. The Company shall not be liable for any loss; this extends to loss or damage to personal property, vehicles and harm to persons on the premises or using the facility equipment.
5. Bookings cannot be confirmed without full payment of the activity fee.
6. All payments must be made prior to arrival.
7. All activity prices include VAT at 20%.
8. Safety is paramount to all our activities, however watersports and adventure activities are hazardous by their nature and there are risks.
9. Customers must comply with all safety regulations and instructions given by the Centre and its staff.
10. All cancellations must be given directly to the centre either by phone or in writing at watersports.lowwood@englishlakes.co.uk more than 72 hours prior to their booking.
11. If you cancel up to 72 hours before the activity a full refund will be given for the activity. If you cancel within 72 hours of the activity no refund will be given.
12. Any bookings that are transferred are classed as cancelling and creating a new booking and fall within the cancellation policy.
13. The Centre reserves the right to cancel an activity at any time where it believes there to be unsuitable conditions or unmanageable risks.
14. Where an activity has to be cancelled we will offer clients a full refund of the activity fee paid or an alternative activity.
15. The Centre cannot accept any liability for any costs or expenses you may incur as a result of a cancellation.
16. Personal information collected by the Centre will be used only in the administration of your activity and will not be used for marketing or passed on to any third parties.
17. Photographs may be taken during our activities can be used in our marketing materials only with consent.
18. I understand that boat hire is unsupervised and I am responsible for the safety of myself and my party.
A parent or legal guardian over 18 years old must accompany under 18s at all times during the hire.
Those under the age of 18 years must be closely supervised by a responsible adult.
19. If I lose or damage the boat, any part of it or any other equipment supplied I shall pay the Centre the repair or replacement cost.
20. If I over-run the times which I have booked each additional hour or part thereof will be charged at £50.
21. Any incident or accident must be reported to the Centre immediately.
22. Equipment hired may not be used for any commercial purpose.
23. Boats/ equipment will be checked on return and if damaged charges will be made.
24. Boats must not be driven within 100 metres of the shore, within areas marked by
red buoys, or within 50 metres of any other craft.
25. Motor boats may only be driven by persons over the age of sixteen.
26. No swimming from the motor boat.
27. I am responsible for rigging, launching and recovering the boat.
28. Boats may only be used within the sailing area, which is defined as the area of the lake which is visible from Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa.
Our boats and operators are licensed and inspected by Westmorland and Furness Council as required under the Public Health Act 1907, Section 94.
The Watersports Centre is situated on lakeshore lawns. Take a look at our handy webcam for a sneak peek of the ever-changing views over Windermere and Langdale Fells.
Planning on going sailing on Lake Windermere? Check out our live weather updates from the Watersports & Marina's weather station.
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