The Watersports Academy

What The Watersports Academy does

The Watersports Academy is a single-site, RYA-certified watersports instruction and equipment rental centre located at 15 Banks Road, Sandbanks, Poole, on the shores of Poole Harbour in Dorset, United Kingdom. The business operates from a beach-side facility with a café, shop, changing rooms, hot showers, a training room, and a private decked terrace, providing direct access to the sheltered, waist-deep waters of Poole Harbour and the open-sea conditions of Poole Bay. It offers lessons, equipment hire, tours, and structured RYA-accredited courses across windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, wing foiling, powerboating, wakeboarding, waterskiing, ringo rides, yacht charter (44ft Lagoon catamaran), and bike hire, alongside a Brownsea Island watersports offering operated under an exclusive partnership with The National Trust.

The business is wholly owned via Grosvenor Marine Ltd. as part of the FJB Hotels Group, with no external funding, venture capital, or private equity involvement disclosed. The academy serves a hybrid customer base including children and youth (ages 8-16) through kids clubs and RYA youth courses, adult individuals and families through evening clubs and training courses, schools and scout groups through structured educational programmes, corporate clients through team-building and bespoke events, and stag/hen groups through multi-activity packages. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time bookings (pay-as-you-go lessons, courses, tours, and equipment hire), supplemented by a small annual membership programme (adult £75/year; youth from £60/year), multi-session hire cards, and gift vouchers starting at £15. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through walk-in visits, phone bookings (01202 708 283), and website enquiries, with a consultative sales motion for corporate and group segments — there are no intermediary resellers or marketplace channels.

Operationally, the academy runs a small team of 8 employees and is heavily seasonal, with peak activity in summer months and structured programmes available year-round. Competitive positioning rests on three pillars: the geographic advantage of the Sandbanks/Poole Harbour location, the RYA Training Centre credential, and the exclusive National Trust partnership enabling Brownsea Island access. Marketing relies on organic website traffic (including a live wind/weather data feed), email newsletter, social media (Facebook, Twitter), and word-of-mouth referrals, with cross-promotion through the parent FJB Hotels Group providing accommodation bundling.

Name

The Watersports Academy

Legal name

Grosvenor Marine Ltd.

Website

https://thewatersportsacademy.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Watersports Academy is an RYA-certified watersports instruction and equipment rental centre at Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, serving children, adults, families, schools, corporate groups, and stag/hen parties with lessons, hire, courses, and yacht charter across 10+ activities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watersports Instruction and Recreation

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing) (THAAALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surf, Kitesurf & Wind Sports Adventures (THAJABAK), Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ)

Keywords

• RYA watersports instruction
• Equipment rental
• Yacht charter
• Corporate team building
• Youth sailing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Poole (Sandbanks)

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Windsurfing Lessons, Courses & Equipment Rental: RYA-certified windsurfing instruction from taster lessons (£30-£45pp) through to instructor courses (£380pp), plus equipment rental across beginner (£20/hr), intermediate (£25/hr), and advanced (£30/hr) tiers. Hire discount cards (8 sessions) available for £125-£240.
2. Sailing Lessons, Courses & Dinghy Rental: RYA sailing courses ranging from £65pp for a 2-hour taster to £199pp for a 2-day Start Sailing course. Dinghy rental available at £25-£35/hr. All courses include equipment, wetsuits, and RYA certificates.
3. Kayaking Hire & Tours: Single kayak hire at £15/hr, double kayak at £20/hr, with 24-hour rates from £65. Kayak harbour tours at £35pp for 2 hours. Minimum 3 kayaks per tour.
4. Paddleboarding Lessons, Tours & Rental: Paddleboard rental at £15/hr or £65 for 24 hours. Lessons at £25pp (1 hr) or £40pp (2 hrs with tour). Hire discount cards (6 sessions for £90) also available.
5. Powerboating RIB Rides, Charter & RYA Training: Private RIB rides and tours at £200/hour up to 7 people. RYA Powerboat Level 1 & 2 courses at £300 for 1 person (2-day private course quoted separately). Fleet charter available.
6. Yacht Charter (Catamaran): Luxury 44ft Lagoon catamaran charter: half day £700, full day £1200, sunset charter £500. Yacht & Watersports full day from £100pp (min 17 people). Yacht & Paddleboard Retreat (2 days/1 night) priced on application.
7. Wing Surfing & Foiling Courses: Wing-Tro course (2 hrs, £75pp) teaches wing basics on land and water. Wing-Go course (2 hrs 1:1, £130) introduces foil techniques. Both include wetsuit hire and equipment.
8. Wakeboarding, Waterskiing & Ringo Rides: Wakeboard/ski lessons at £200/hr (max 2 people) or £300 for 2 hrs (max 4 people). 'Just Ride' boat hire at £200-£300. Ringo rides (max 7 people) at £200/hr. Special offer: £20 off 2nd session.
9. Bike Hire: Adult bike hire at £20 (half day) or £30 (full day). Kids' bikes at £15 (half day) or £20 (full day). Tag-along bikes at £10. Discounts for FJB Hotels guests and group bookings (8+ bikes, £20 off).
10. Schools & Youth Programmes: Structured youth programmes: weekly RYA sessions from £12.50pp/week, half-day youth experience £25pp, full-day watersports £37.50pp, full water week £30pp/day. Brownsea Island residential trips priced on application. All include equipment, wetsuits, and tuition.
11. Stag & Hen Group Packages: Multi-activity adventure (2 hrs, £35pp, min 6 people), powerboat trips (£300-£400/boat), wake/ski/ringo sessions, sailing (£30pp), and yacht & watersports packages (from £75-£100pp). All-inclusive corporate and group packages available.
12. Membership & Hire Cards: Adult membership at £75/year, youth membership from £60/year. WindSUP Hire Cards from £125 (beginner, 8 sessions + free lesson), paddleboard hire cards at £90 (6 sessions + 2 free). Members receive discounts, free BBQ nights, and coastal trips.
13. Gift Vouchers: Gift vouchers for specific activities or general watersports, starting at £15. Valid for 12 months. Sold via phone or automated online system.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Watersports Academy provides RYA-certified instruction, equipment rental, yacht and powerboat charter, and structured club and group programmes across windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, winging, powerboating, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and ringo rides, plus Brownsea Island watersports and bike hire, operated from a single beach-side centre in Sandbanks, Poole. Revenue is generated primarily through pay-as-you-go lessons, courses, and equipment hire to consumers, with annual memberships, hire discount cards, gift vouchers, and bespoke corporate/school/stag-hen packages providing supplementary streams.

Product overview

The Watersports Academy is Poole Harbour's premier watersports centre offering a comprehensive portfolio of water-based activities including windsurfing, sailing, yacht charter, wing foiling, kayaking, paddleboarding, powerboating, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and ringo rides. The centre operates from Sandbanks with direct access to Poole Harbour and the Jurassic Coast. Its product portfolio comprises core instructional and rental activities supported by membership programs (adult and youth clubs, membership tiers), group programs (schools, corporate team building, stag/hen parties), and ancillary services (gift vouchers, bike hire). All sailing and windsurfing courses are accredited by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Windsurfing RYA-certified windsurfing instruction (tasters, Stage 1&2, Stage 3&4, Instructor Course) and equipment hire at beginner, intermediate and advanced tiers from a Sandbanks beach-side centre operating in Poole Harbour's sheltered, waist-deep waters.
• Sailing RYA-accredited sailing training centre offering 2-hour lessons, private lessons, Start Sailing (2-day) courses, and Pico/double-hander dinghy hire for adults and youth from beginner to advanced levels.
• Winging (Wing Surfing & Foiling) Wing-Tro (2-hour group beginner) and Wing-Go (2-hour 1:1 foiling) courses teaching wing basics on land and water with all equipment and wetsuits included.
• Kayaking Single and double sit-on kayak rental, guided harbour tours (minimum 3 kayaks), and lessons exploring Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island.
• Paddleboarding Stand-up paddleboard rental, 1- and 2-hour lessons (with optional harbour tour), guided tours, and yoga sessions in Poole Harbour's shallow waters.
• Powerboating High-speed RIB rides and private tours (Old Harry Rocks, Swanage Bay, treasure hunts), RYA Powerboat Level 1 and 2 courses, and fleet charter services along the Jurassic Coast.
• Wakeboarding, Waterskiing & Ringo Rides Wakeboard and water-ski lessons (1-2 hour sessions), 'Just Ride' boat hire, and group ringo rides for up to 7 people in Poole Harbour's designated ski area.
• Yacht Charter Half-day, full-day, and sunset charter of a 44ft Lagoon catamaran along the Jurassic Coast, plus combined 'Yacht & Watersports' full-day and multi-day paddleboard retreats with catering and spa options.
• Brownsea Island Watersports Exclusive paddleboard and kayak tours, equipment hire, and powerboat rides around Brownsea Island operated under a partnership with The National Trust.
• Bike Hire Adult, kids', and tag-along bicycle rental on half-day and full-day terms, including helmets, route maps, and facility access for exploring Dorset.
• Kids Clubs Weekend Team 15 windsurf club and school holiday multi-activity kids clubs offering RYA youth courses in windsurfing, sailing, and powerboating for ages 8-16.
• Adult Clubs Thursday evening Windsurf and Paddleboard club sessions plus mid-week Hire and BBQ Nights running in summer months.
• Schools & Scouts Programmes Weekly term-time RYA sessions, half-day and full-day experiences, full water weeks, RYA youth sailing/windsurfing courses, and Brownsea Island residential adventures for schools, scouts, and youth organisations.
• Corporate & Team Building Events Bespoke corporate team building events including yacht charter days, powerboat treasure hunts, multi-activity programmes, Olympic-style beach games, and luxury power days on a Sunseeker Manhattan.
• Stag & Hen Group Packages Multi-activity adventures, powerboat trips, wakeboarding/waterskiing, sailing, and yacht-and-watersports combinations designed for pre-wedding celebration groups.
• Memberships and Hire Discount Cards Annual adult (£75) and youth (from £60) memberships plus WindSUP and paddleboard hire discount cards (6 or 8 sessions plus complimentary lessons), giving repeat customers benefits such as free BBQ nights, coastal trips, and equipment discounts.
• Gift Vouchers Gift vouchers redeemable against specific activities or general watersports, starting at £15 and valid for 12 months, sold via phone or automated online system.

Quantifiable outcome

• RYA certification achieved upon course completion (e.g., Stage 1 & 2 Start Windsurfing, Start Sailing Level 1, Powerboat Level 1 & 2)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The National TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Watersports Academy and The National Trust have partnered to run watersports sessions on Brownsea Island — a unique National Trust property in Poole Harbour. The partnership enables the academy to offer exclusive paddleboarding and kayaking taster sessions and tours along the island's shores, providing access to wildlife, marine life, and heritage not available at other watersports centres.
• Royal Yachting Association (RYA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Watersports Academy is an RYA Training Centre — one of the country's leading RYA centres. RYA provides the training framework, curriculum standards, instructor certification pathways, and recognised qualifications across sailing, windsurfing, and powerboating. RYA affiliation is a core quality credential and part of the academy's competitive positioning.
• British Kitesports AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe British Kitesports Association logo is displayed on the website alongside the RYA Training Centre logo, indicating an affiliation or recognition as a kite sports provider. Kitesports is referenced as part of the academy's youth curriculum (children from 8 years to 16 years can learn kitesurfing).
• FJB Hotels Group (Sandbanks Hotel Ltd.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Watersports Academy is part of FJB Hotels Group (trading as Grosvenor Marine Ltd. and Sandbanks Hotel Ltd.). FJB Hotels provides affiliated hotel accommodation (Sandbanks Hotel, Haven Hotel & Spa, Harbour Heights Hotel) for academy customers, cross-promotional discounts (e.g., £2 off bike hire for FJB Hotels guests), and corporate affiliation. The academy is located next door to the Sandbanks Hotel. The privacy policy identifies the data controller as Grosvenor Marine Ltd. c/o Sandbanks Hotel Ltd.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Regional players

• Hayling Island Sailing Club: RYA-affiliated South Coast sailing club on Hayling Island offering dinghy and windsurfing tuition, club racing, and youth programmes. Comparable in RYA-affiliated instruction, club membership model, and youth/beginner focus, but operating as a member-owned club rather than a commercial centre.

Direct peers

• Calshot Activities Centre: Large multi-activity watersports centre on the Solent (Hampshire) offering RYA-certified sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and powerboating with similar on-site facilities and a comparable school/youth group programming model.
• Rockley Watersports: Another major RYA training centre located within Poole Harbour (Rockley Point, Hamworthy). Directly comparable in offering: dinghy sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, powerboating, and youth RYA courses on the same harbour waters, with similar school/holiday-club programmes.
• New Forest Activities: South Coast multi-activity operator offering kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing and archery to families, schools, stag/hen groups, and corporate clients. Comparable in business model (multi-activity, B2C + group bookings) and South Coast geography.
• Salcombe Watersports: South Devon watersports centre offering sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, coasteering and RYA tuition in a premium coastal setting. Comparable in product mix and premium UK coastal watersports positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Bear Grylls Adventure: National adventure attraction brand offering multiple activity types (including water-based) at scale, primarily serving the consumer leisure and family entertainment segment. Comparable in that it monetises multi-activity adventure experiences, but operates at significantly larger scale and as a fixed indoor attraction.
• Go Ape: UK-wide outdoor adventure activity operator with corporate team-building and group programmes alongside consumer activity days. Comparable on the group/corporate bookings motion and outdoor activity centre economics, though not water-sports focused.

Emerging players

• Original Adventure: UK provider of water- and land-based adventure activities for corporate team building, stag/hen groups, and private events (including powerboating, sailing, paddleboarding). Comparable specifically on the corporate/group bookings segment of the academy's business.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/academy_poole
• Facebookfacebook.com/thewatersportsacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-watersports-academy

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Watersports Academy