SAILING

ACADEMY

Loading from Vimeo...

With our rich maritime heritage and stunning waterside location, right between the Stour and Orwell estuaries and beside a 400-acre water park, we’ve become a true Centre of Excellence for Sailing, offering unrivalled opportunities on the water.

Our Royal Hospital School Sailing Academy, based at nearby Alton Water Reservoir, is an established RYA Training Centre with a fleet of over 60 dinghies for every sailor. Whether your child is starting out in an RS Tera, racing in a Firefly, chasing Olympic dreams in an ILCA or 29er, or flying across the water on a Waszp, we have the boats, the coaches, and the space to help them thrive.

A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

FOR SAILING

All Year 7 pupils take part in Learn to Sail week, with sailing available as a Games option for experienced sailors.

Our Sailing Academy offers competitive fleet and team racing at school, national, and international level, alongside opportunities to gain RYA qualifications and instructor training. Pupils also take part in weekend expeditions using our Cornish Shrimper fleet.

As a recognised RYA Training Centre, we provide high-quality instruction and safety standards, with regular fixtures against other schools and sailing opportunities supporting Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions.

HONOURS BOARD

2025-26

UK Women’s National Team Racing Champions 2025 (Firefly)
British Keelboat League Youth Champions 2025 (J70)
British Keelboat League 2025 - 2nd (J70)
UK Schools Match Racing Champions 2025 (Sonar)
Irish Schools Team Racing Champions 2025 (TR 3.6)
U15 UK Open Team Racing Champions 2025 (RS Feva)
UK Schools U19 Team Racing Championship 2025 - 2nd (Firefly)
UK Schools Keelboat Team Racing Champions 2025 (Sonar)
UK Schools Keelboat League Champions 2026 (Sonar)

RYA Youth National Championships 2025 ILCA 7
Chris Marsh 1st

Hong Kong ILCA 6 National Champion 2026
Sam Tan-Hardy

UK National Schools Championship 2025 - Senior (Firefly)
Toby Smith & Harriet George - 1st

HEAR FROM OUR SAILING SCHOLAR & YOUTH WORLD CHAMPION

ELITE SAILING

PROGRAMME

Pupils joining the Sailing Academy under the Elite Sailing Programme can do so as Sailing Scholars and are provided with the following:

  • Competition training with RYA Advanced Instructors and Level 3 Racing Coaches
  • Classroom tuition including use of video analysis
  • Individual fitness training programme designed by an elite sports personal trainer
  • Specific dietary advice
  • Use of Sailing Academy equipment for competitions
  • Assistance with tuition and boarding fees at the Royal Hospital School
Four Royal Hospital School sailors pose outside in the sun with a trophy
Six Royal Hospital School sailors pose with a trophy
Eight Royal Hospital School sailors pose with trophies

MEET THE

TEAM

ED SIBSON - DIRECTOR OF SAILING & WATER SPORTS

Mr Sibson has instructed dinghy sailing since 1999 and coached team racing since 2005, specialising in performance sailing. An RYA National Umpire and Race Coach Level 3, he joined RHS in 2017 after outdoor education leadership roles. He trains and assesses instructors and coaches nationally, has coached school, university and national champions, and contributes to RYA training resources, including developing team racing materials and supporting elite youth and women’s teams.

PIPPA VILES - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SAILING

Introduced to sailing at 14, Miss Viles became an Assistant Instructor by 15. She moved to London and volunteered in water sports, beginning a long coaching career. With over 25 years’ experience, she has competed nationally and coached sailors of all levels, including medallists. She promotes teamwork, confidence, and growth through sailing, supporting young people of all abilities. She has led inclusive programmes, achieved London Youth Games success, and developed RYA initiatives for additional needs.

CONNOR LINE - SAILING INSTRUCTOR

Mr Line has been a dinghy instructor since 2019, previously working at East Anglian Sea School delivering RYA courses. He is passionate about developing sailors from beginners to advanced racers. An experienced Cadet sailor, he competed internationally for over five years, including two World Championships, placing 10th in 2018. He now races Snipes, RS200s and keelboats, and coaches ILCA sailors, including a Youth National Champion, while supporting Cadet teams at major championships.

BRITISH SAILING

PATHWAY CLUB

RHS is proud to be an RYA British Sailing Pathway Club. This prestigious status highlights the Sailing Academy’s commitment to developing young sailors and fostering a lifelong passion for the sport.

The status recognises that we provide young sailors with the opportunity to hone their sailing and racing skills, ensuring they have the support and resources to progress within the sport. The initiative focuses on grassroots development, encouraging young sailors to stay engaged and continue their journey in sailing.

The Pathway scheme aims to develop a network of high-quality clubs across the country that create fun racing in an accessible environment where young racers can develop great fundamental skills and feel part of a bigger team. The RHS Sailing Academy focuses on the following recognised junior classes - Topper, RS Tera, RS Feva and ILCA 4 - which are available for pupils to use to provide an easily-accessed, high-quality and, most importantly fun, race training programme that leads to more regular participation and racing. Making friends at a young age in the sport lasts a lifetime. In addition we support the following youth classes - ILCA 6, 29er and ILCA 7.

RHS

TROPHY HAUL

We are thrilled to announce that our incredible sailors have dominated the waters over the last 18 months and we are currently the holder of 12 trophies!    

From navigating challenging courses to mastering the art of teamwork, our pupils have shown exceptional skill, determination and sportsmanship.  Each trophy represents countless hours of hard work and dedication.   

Congratulations to our talented sailors, who have made us immensely proud!   

Royal Hospital School British Sailing Pathway Club Logo

 

RYA Onboard logo