The School Principal is Tom Sowerby. Tom grew up around boats and started sailing when he was eight. He joined Bisham Abbey Sailing and Navigation School in 2002 and has won the RYA Inland Waterways Instructor of the Year for his coaching. We operate throughout the year specialising in dinghy sailing between May and September and shore based theory & navigation courses all year round.
Practical motor boat handling takes place between February and November, weather permitting! Our fully equipped premises, based within the Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, located by the River Thames, has close proximity to the M3, M4, M40 and M25 motorways, providing excellent road access from London and the Home Counties.
Practical motor boat handling takes place between February and November, weather permitting! Our fully equipped premises, based within the Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, located by the River Thames, has close proximity to the M3, M4, M40 and M25 motorways, providing excellent road access from London and the Home Counties.
Services
This introductory theory course is aimed at the complete novice including anyone new to boating, power-boaters, sea anglers, divers, experienced dinghy sailors & inshore racers or those that may have been on the water, but have no awareness of the significance of what they, or others, are doing around them.
The RYA Day Skipper shore-based theory course is aimed at the complete beginner or those with some sailing or motor cruising experience who have not previously taken a shore-based course. It is the advised course for everyone to take before committing themselves to the Practical RYA Day Skipper course for sail or power.
A course in Astro-navigation and worldwide meteorology. The Yachtmaster Ocean course assumes a knowledge of subjects covered in the Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster Offshore courses. Subjects covered include: The earth and the celestial sphere, The PZX Triangle, the sextant, measurement of time, Meridian altitudes; Sun, Moon, Star and Planet sights; compass checking, satellite navigation systems, meteorology and passage planning.
At Bisham Abbey we run the RYA First Aid course (previously known as Small Craft First Aid) over one day, weekdays or weekends. Course numbers are small and as the course involves some practical work it is advisable to wear comfortable clothing and soft soled shoes.
This First Aid course follows the RYA syllabus and is designed to provide a practical working knowledge of First Aid for all sailors and motor cruisers, particularly those taking small craft offshore up to 60 miles from a safe haven.The course is based on the recommendations of the Health and Safety Executive and the Department of Trade.
This First Aid course follows the RYA syllabus and is designed to provide a practical working knowledge of First Aid for all sailors and motor cruisers, particularly those taking small craft offshore up to 60 miles from a safe haven.The course is based on the recommendations of the Health and Safety Executive and the Department of Trade.
The aim of this Diesel Engine Maintenance course is to help prevent you breaking down at sea. If you do have mechanical problems, this course will teach you, using a variety of static engines, how to go about getting started again. The RNLI tell us that one of the main reasons for lifeboat call-outs to both sailing and powerboats is machinery failure.
Reviews (6)
Tina Wyles
Aug 22, 2021
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Have just had a fantastic day with Peter as instructor. He gave me the confidence to navigate our 60 foot wide beam barge through locks on the Thames as well as teaching me to ferry glide into a mooring using wind and stream. Despite strong winds on the day, Peter showed us how our bow thruster was totally unnecessary. I did things with ropes that I didn’t know you could do and the icing on the cake was to see my captain being crew ! Thoroughly recommend the boat experience day. Thank you Peter
Vicki Barker
Jul 24, 2021
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I spent a day working with an instructor on power boat handling: I wanted to learn how to take our 32' boat through locks on the Thames singlehanded. My instructor, Gaius, was calm and patient and somehow managed to impart a vast amount of information and expertise in a relaxed manner. While I was there, a class of Special Educatonal Needs children arrived for a day on the river. I could see the Bisham Abbey volunteers did all they could to make the experience memorable and fun for them. And the setting: the Thames near Marlow is absolutely magical. Hughly recommended!
David Morris
Jul 12, 2021
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Ian Newman
Jul 21, 2020
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Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality, Value
Just completed a PB2 course with Bisham Abbey. Really went out of their way to provide the course whilst adhering to Covid requirement. Really friendly people with great instruction. Would thoroughly recommend these guys for your boating needs.
Thanks Peter
Just completed a PB2 course with Bisham Abbey. Really went out of their way to provide the course whilst adhering to Covid requirement. Really friendly people with great instruction. Would thoroughly recommend these guys for your boating needs.
Thanks Peter
James Grant
Sep 30, 2019
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Steve
May 26, 2017
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I would like to thank everyone at bisham abbey especially gaius my trainer who successfully got me through with his excellent teaching methods and manner. I would highly recommend this training facility as everyone there were friendly and helpful from initial contact through to completion of my course. Cannot praise enough.
