A watersports adventure

Children’s Sailing Trust helps children to thrive and grow, learn life skills and try something new.

If you’ve walked along the Helford River and spotted a flotilla of brightly coloured boats sailing determinedly back and forth, chances are they were the boats of local charity, Children’s Sailing Trust. This non-profit has worked tirelessly for 25 years to provide local children with life-affirming and affordable sailing opportunities on the Helford River that they may otherwise never have had.

As well as charity work, Children’s Sailing Trust runs an exciting range of watersports courses, sessions, and days out for all ages and abilities. Whether it’s brushing up on sailing or powerboat skills on the Helford River or taking part in a family fun session at Trevassack Lake, there’s so much going on to get involved in. 

Trevassack Lake, a converted serpentine quarry and exciting new venture for the charity, opened in late 2021 at Garras. Complementing activities on the Helford River by providing much-needed facilities that allow more people to access the water, this is a space particularly for young people with special educational needs and physical disabilities. Adapted watersports equipment, hoists, an accessible lakeside learning centre and Changing Places Toilets make Trevassack Lake a place for everyone.

For seasoned open-water swimmers and quick-dippers alike, Trevassack Lake is the perfect place to don a swimsuit and get in the water. A band of hardy regulars are already making their way down to the lake each week to get their fresh-water dopamine fix in a beautiful setting. Its inland location means they can welcome swimmers in almost all weathers, and there’s the bonus of lakeside changing rooms and showers to quickly warm up in too!

With a lakeside café opening this year, there really is something for everyone at Trevassack Lake; whether you’re looking for a kid’s holiday course, to brush up on your sailing skills, launch a kayak or sit with a coffee and enjoy the view. And with every swim, sail and SUP session booked, you’ll be helping create opportunities for local children to get out on the water who wouldn’t otherwise get the chance.

CHILDREN’S SAILING TRUST

www.childrenssailingtrust.org.uk