On the Water

Finding fun in the sun this summer with inclusive watersport adventures across the Duchy.

Words by Hannah Tapping

There’s something special about the Cornish waterline in summer, whether that be coastal or lakeside. On calm days the water can look almost oily it’s so smooth and as you glide over it on a paddleboard the crystal-clear ocean falls away like a painting below you, fronds of seaweed gently swaying in the current. When the wind blows, the surface of the sea comes alive with white horses bouncing across Cornwall’s bays. Hoisting a sail and scudding across the sea brings sheer delight on such days. 

I was lucky enough to have grown up by the sea; it was both my playground and sportsground. When my own children were old enough to enjoy the water, they began their ocean adventures with Children’s Sailing Trust (CST). The Helford, with its ancient oaks dipping their limbs into the river and herons lifting lazily from the banks, was where they learnt to rig, tack and jibe! Over the years, CST (www.childrenssailingtrust.org.uk) has evolved into so much more than simply a sailing school. It has become a sanctuary of sorts, where children of all backgrounds and abilities can take the helm, often for the first time.

Founded in 1997 by the late John Green MBE, who wanted every child to experience the freedom of sailing on the Helford River, CST has always believed that access to the water should be a right, not a privilege. Nearly three decades on, the charity has grown into a dynamic and multifaceted operation. At its helm today is a passionate team of educators, instructors and changemakers, led by CEO Jakie Jewell, who understand that when a child steps aboard a boat, something shifts – confidence rises, curiosity blooms and independence takes root.

Seeing the possibilities that a still-water lake could bring alongside their Helford base, CST bought an ex-quarry and transformed it into the spring-fed, freshwater centre of watersports excellence it is today. Trevassack opened to the public in October 2021 and is unique in its fully accessible design. With level paths, hoists and adaptive equipment, the site was created with inclusion at its core. CST Experiences, the charity’s social enterprise arm, offers tailored sessions for children and adults with disabilities, complex needs, or simply those who’ve never had the chance to try watersports before. The profits from these sessions are reinvested into CST’s charitable work, funding schools’ sailing and lakeside learning sessions.

The secret lake at Trevassack has been kept as natural as possible, and its fully accessible design means everyone is welcome. Owned by the CST, activities are run by CST Experiences and include sailing, paddle sports, wild swimming, events and venue hire for birthdays, group meet-ups and even accessible weddings with well-being classes such as yoga and pilates held in the lakeside function room. There’s even a dog-friendly lakeside café for refuelling after being out on the water. Just a stone’s throw from the water, Trevassack Holidays is CST’s exclusive collection of six accessible holiday properties, all with hot tubs set on their deck. 

The site is Gold award-winning for Accessibility and Inclusivity, being entirely wheelchair and SEND-friendly, including the water. For children who might struggle in a traditional classroom, a sailing boat becomes a very different kind of learning space. The water has an extraordinary levelling effect; CST is not just about building skills, but also building lives.

Moving from coast to country, South West Lakes Trust (www.swlakestrust.org.uk) oversees 40 inland waters across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset and Dorset, providing unrivalled access to watersports, angling, walking and cycling. These are places you can be active or play and explore all day long.

Stithians Lake is one of their crown jewels. It’s the largest inland water in west Cornwall, and offers something for everyone, whether that’s casting a line, walking its footpaths, discovering the wildlife or getting out on the water. With a café and camping, the lake is both a hub of activity and a peaceful escape.

Watersports on offer include winging and efoiling, windsurfing, paddleboarding and kayaking. You can launch your own equipment or take advantage of on-site equipment hire and instructor-led sessions. Stithians also runs a full summer holiday activity programme which includes RYA courses.

There’s a thread that runs through both CST and South West Lakes Trust – a belief that the water doesn’t just belong to Cornwall, but that Cornwall belongs to the water and that means everyone should be welcomed in. As we move through an era of increasing digital fatigue and screen-based living, the role of these charities is more vital than ever. They offer not just an escape, but a reconnection to nature, to others and to self. So, whether it’s the salty tang of the sea or the bracing splash from a lake, Cornwall’s waters are calling.