A world-class sailing venue
Discover ASC Portland
An unrivalled location
Sailing at the home of the British Sailing Team
Based at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, sailing in Portland Harbour offers the benefit of sea sailing, but in a safe and enclosed environment giving versatility to all sessions. We are lucky to have a consistent wind and great conditions for sailing all year round.
World-class facilities, the best waters in Northern Europe, extensive and high-quality kit and a fantastic team of experienced instructors. Portland has it all!
Open all year round
Our all-season Centres run throughout the year to keep the water accessible to all.
A wide variety of activities
From sailing to powerboating, foiling to kayaking, theres something for everyone.
World-class coastal location
The benefit of sea sailing with reliable wind and optimal conditions.
Accommodation available
On-site accommodation partnership with RYA Portland House.
Business facilities
Meeting & training rooms, free wifi and on site cafe & restaurant at WPNSA.
Great Location & huge range of activities
Find your perfect course or activity at ASC Portland
Ready to hit the water? Explore what’s on offer at ASC Portland by choosing specific dates to suit your calendar, or by browsing everything available.
Join in with the fun
Explore our most popular activities
Whether you’re looking for beginner level courses, expert level coaching, taster sessions, birthday parties or holiday activities, we have something for everyone. Discover what ASC Portland has to offer.
Our upcoming events
What’s on at ASC Portland
Explore our upcoming events and open days and discover ways to get involved with your local sailing and watersports community.
Practical information
Location & facilities
Based at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, which was chosen to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, ASC Portland offers world-class facilities and safe, reliable sailing and watersports conditions.
Centre location
Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy
Osprey Quay, Portland DT5 1SA
Open 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm
01305 457400
Centre facilities
Based at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, which was chosen to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, ASC Portland offers world-class facilities and safe, reliable sailing and watersports conditions.
Meeting & training rooms
Free wifi
Free parking
Cafeteria with sea-view terrace
Changing rooms
Toilets
Accessible facilities
Showers & lockers
Join the ASC Portland community
Community clubs and charitable programmes
Discover our range of community sailing clubs and programmes, subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. Access the water regularly and discover your potential at ASC Portland
Sailing Club
A weekly sailing club for all levels, aimed at helping young people develop their skills and progress with their sailing.
| When | Saturdays and Wednesday evenings |
| Who | Ages 8+ for beginners to intermediate |
| Price | £15 per session* |
| How | Book online or in person |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation saving individuals at least £35 per session
Improver Sailing Club
A weekly sailing club for young people who are RYA Stage 3, or equivalent and want to progress with their sailing.
| When | Every Saturday from 1:30pm – 4:30pm |
| Who | Ages 8+ at RYA Stage 3 or equivalent |
| Price | £15 per session* |
| How | Book online or in person |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation saving individuals at least £35 per session
Race Club
A weekly sailing club aimed at children and young adults at RYA Stage 3 or equivalent sailors, enabling them to learn and develop racing techniques.
| When | Every other Sunday from 9:30am – 4:30pm |
| Who | Ages 8+ at RYA Stage 3 or equivalent |
| Price | £40 per session* |
| How | Book online or in person |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. Full price for the 7 hour club is £60
Adult Sailing Club
A weekly sailing club for beginners, aimed at helping adults develop their skills and progress with their sailing.
| When | Every Saturday from 9:30am – 12:30pm |
| Who | Adults Level 1 or equivalent experience |
| Price | £15 per session* |
| How | Book online or in person |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation saving individuals at least £35 per session
Adult Race Club
A weekly sailing club for young people who are RYA Stage 3, or equivalent and want to progress with their sailing.
| When | Every other Sunday from 9:30am – 4:30pm |
| Who | Adults at RYA Level 3 or equivalent |
| Price | £40 per session* |
| How | Book online or in person |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. Full price for the 7 hour club is £60
Volunteer Instructor Training
Volunteer Instructor Training provides an affordable way to gain qualifications and build a career in the Marine & Maritime Industry whilst giving back to the sailing community. Volunteer instructors can have a huge impact on their local communities and increase the numbers of people who are able to experience sailing for the first time or continue a pathway in their sailing career.
| Ages 16+ | |
| Price | full funding available* |
| How | Get in touch to book or enquire |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation.
Discover Sailing
Discover Sailing is made available to all young people, regardless of their background or ability. Our Discover Sailing sessions enable young people to access an exciting new sport and become more active individuals.
| Who | Ages 10+ for beginners to intermediate |
| Price | from £5 with subsidies available* |
| How | Get in touch to book or enquire |
This course is subsidised by the Chesil Sailing Trust and Andrew Simpson Foundation.
Aiming High
Aiming High is a sailing and watersports programme which supports young people living with a learning and/or physical disability. The programme also focuses on young people’s mental health, using sailing and watersports to boost young people’s sense of self-worth and help them manage their emotions.
| Who | Ages 7+ |
| Price | from £5 with subsidies available* |
| How | Get in touch to book or enquire |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation.
Young Leaders
Young Leaders provides young adults with the opportunity to attend a leadership-training programme where they learn key skills and are prepared for the Dinghy Instructor qualification.
| Who | Ages 14+ |
| Price | from £50 per weekend* |
| How | Get in touch to book or enquire |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation.
We’ve got something for everyone
School and youth group activity days
Our team will be happy to put together a bespoke package to meet the needs of your group. The centre can cater for group sizes of up to 120 people, taking part in a range of activities including sailing, windsurfing and paddlesports. The centre team has a wealth of experience in ensuring that activities cater to children with all levels of experience and will adapt activities to meet any additional needs.
Enquire about a group booking at ASC Portland
How we’re transforming lives
Our success stories
We work closely with groups and individuals to help them grow and succeed through learning new skills, building confidence and developing essential teamwork and leadership skills. Explore some of our success stories below.
Promoting Health and Wellbeing throughout 2022
We believe that participating in sailing and watersports promotes positive health and well-being. Therefore, we have developed two charitable programmes which focus upon young people’s physical and mental health.
The Holiday Activity Fund providing Opportunities on the water for all
In 2022, Andrew Simpson Centres received HAF funding from their local councils, with the support of footballer, Marcus Rashford. The aim of HAF is to provide support to children in receipt of free school meals throughout the holiday periods.
Over 1300 young people took part in our Community Clubs in 2022
All Community Clubs are subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. 88% of the young people who took part in one of our Community Clubs said they felt part of the sailing and watersports community and 50% achieved accredited qualifications.
Our dedicated centre team
The people that make us who we are
We pride ourselves on having the best team in the industry, from top-quality instructors to exceptional customer-service givers and experienced managers. Our seasonal instructor team can grow to over 100 over the summer. Our senior team members below are your best point of contact year-round.
Alex Porter
Operations and Regional Manager
Nathan Bloss
Centre Manager
Tayla Donovan
Lead Senior Instructor
Una Wood
Sales & Comms Coordinator
Speak to the team at ASC Portland
Make a general enquiry
Whether you’d like to ask about a bespoke activity, a course recommendation or anything else, our friendly centre team will be able to help. Call during normal opening hours or send a message with the form below:
Contact details
ASC Portland
Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Osprey Quay
Portland DT5 1SA
+44 (0)1305 457400
portland@andrewsimpsoncentres.org
Monday to Friday 9:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday -Sunday, 8:30am – 5:30pm
Closed over the holidays from the 17th December – 3rd January
Our sailing community
Discover our other centres
ASC Birmingham
Birmingham is our newest Centre, based in the midlands, a perfect location for sailing and watersports with a wide range of RYA courses, training and activities for beginners through to experts!
You’re in safe hands
All of our courses are led by industry-leading professionals, with experience in working with children and those with additional physical and learning needs.
Recognised as experts
Our centres have RYA accredited instructors and coaches, meaning you are getting the highest level of expert tuition for you and your family.
Ethical fundraising
We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator, showing that we are committed to fundraise in a way that is legal, open, honest and respectful.
Not sure where to go?
If you’d rather speak to a person, get in touch with our Centres directly on +44 (0)300 124 0449 9am – 5 pm, Monday to Saturday to have a chat.
