Who are we?
Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre is a charity based on the Isle Of Dogs that provides easily accessible watersports for all in the local community and further afield.
Among a very busy calendar and centre programme of adult courses, watersports for those with additional needs and a healthy schools programme for the surrounding areas.
We provide a huge youth programme which takes kids that are keen to progress, and we support them from learning a water sport, to competing and all the way through to gaining NGB qualifications, to employment, to eventually starting a career in the industry.
Why are we crowdfunding?
Our Junior & Youth Windsurfing team the Docklands Dugongs begun in 2018 taking children as young as 8 up to 16 teaching them to windsurf, taking them to regional, national and international competitions. As a centre we have supported the team with kit along the way, making the sport more accessible and the kit isn't cheap, nor is it easy to store or transport. This has allowed families who don't have a car due to residential restrictions attend internationals and further coaching to excel in the sport, progress and gain meaningful qualifications to start a career.
The kit however doesn't last forever and since 2018 the team have been on the exact same set of kit. It is now starting to fall apart and getting to the point where its unusable and certainly not worth the cost of repairing. Some sails are now 80% repairs. Sadly less sails means, less kids able to access this offering making it more exclusive rather than inclusive and accessible.
The project and the Dugongs Team have been incredibly successful over the years with the team becoming National Champions in 2023 as well as a World Champion at Techno Worlds in the 5m Class in 2023. All are inner city kids that would never be apart of something like this without the programme running.
Money raised wont just go towards kit to continue to provide the current offering, but to fund instructor training for those within the team that want to pursue a career in the industry teaching. We have already seen some individuals that started in 2018 on the team now fully qualified and giving back to the new group of kids coming through but also pick up employment at other centres and clubs nationally, as well as season abroad.
How we’ll spend the money raised
Split between a new quiver of sails made with tougher materials to increase longevity and funding for instructor training, we cover both ends of the spectrum. This allows new and current kids to carry on and those coming out at the top where, we see the biggest drop out in sports across the board an opportunity to give back, gain employment and a meaningful qualification that keeps them within the sport.
Sport England are very generously match funding this project, however we do need to reach our target of £5,431 to receive the same from them, otherwise unfortunately we will not receive the funding. However with your added generosity and donations it will help us get there, meaning your donations will go even further than you think.
Breakdown Of Costs
Equipment
2 x Ezzy Legacy 4.7 sails - £816.00
2 x Ezzy Legacy 5.2 sails - £824.00
2 x Ezzy Legacy 5.8 sails - £857.00
2 x Ezzy Legacy 6.5 - £912.00
2 x Ezzy Legacy 7.5 - £945.00
4 x Chinook Pro 1 Alloy Boom 4.7 & 5.2 - £800.00
6 x Chinook Pro 1 Alloy Boom 7.5 & 6.5 & 5.8 - £1,148.00
4 x Ezzy Mast RDM 60% 400 Top - £413.00
4 x Ezzy Mast RDM 60% 400 Base - £413.00
4 x Ezzy Mast RDM 60% 430 Top - £428.00
4 x Ezzy Mast RDM 60% 430 Base - £428.00
2 x Ezzy Mast RDM 60% 460 Top - £283.00
2 x Ezzy Mast RDM 60% 460 Base - £283.00
10 x Chinook Alum Extensions EP 28cm - £720.00
10 x Ezzy Uphaul - £92.00
Coaching Costs
6 x RYA Start Windsurf Instructor Course - £1,920.00
3 x RYA Intermediate Instructor Course - £960.00
6 x RYA Powerboat Level Two Course - in house training @ DSWC
6 x RYA One Day First Aid Course - in house training @ DSWC
Total
£12,242.00
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!