Wind Club - What to Expect

Been thinking about joining a Water Babes Wind Club session but not quite sure yet? This article is for you.

Trying a new sport AND meeting new people at the same time can be a daunting thought. I know it was for me before I attended my first session last May. I’d joined the WhatsApp group a few weeks earlier but hadn’t yet committed myself to going along, mainly due to nerves.

One Thursday evening when the session plan was posted, before I could think too much about it I posted in the group that I would be going. It’s been just over a year since then, and I’m so glad I finally took the plunge.

Water Babes is such a great way to meet new, like-minded people and experience new things. Since then, not only have I enjoyed many Sunday morning Wind Club sessions, but I’ve also had the opportunity to get involved with lots of other things too. Yacht trips, rib rides, beach cleans, socials, pilates, and so much more that I wouldn’t have done if it wasn’t for the group.

My two main worries before going along for the first time were a) are people going to be welcoming? And b) what if everyone else is good at the sport and I’ve never done it before?

As with everything I worry and overthink about, I needn’t have done. It was such a great morning out on the water, everyone was friendly and about half the group were beginners, so I wasn’t on my own. The instructors were great and made it easy to understand and were constantly coaching throughout.

My advice to anyone thinking about going to a session is to just go for it. The first time will always seem the most daunting, but within 10 minutes it’s just a Sunday morning hanging out with friends on the water. 

Here is some more information on what you can expect on the day:

The sessions are hosted at the Watersports Academy in Sandbanks, Poole. There’s plenty of on-road parking available outside the academy, or free-parking about a ten-minute walk away at Chaddesley Glen. The lesson starts at 10am, but it’s advised to arrive at 9:45am. On your first session you will also need a bit of extra time to fill out a short waiver.

When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by Amber, Founder of Water Babes or one of the other instructors. They will give you the form to fill out and take the payment via cash or card. If you need to borrow a wetsuit and/or water shoes, one of the instructors will sort you out with them before showing you where you can get changed. 

The changing rooms are a great place to get to know your fellow Water Babes! Everyone is so welcoming and keen to meet new members.

Once everyone is ready to go, you’ll be issued with a buoyancy aid, have a quick round of introductions and a short briefing. Depending on what sport is happening that week, sometimes demonstrations are done on land and other times in the shallow water.

Over the next hour and a half, you’ll have plenty of time to give the sport a go. The instructors are on hand to coach you throughout the session and can provide tips to get you moving.

When it’s time for the lesson to finish, you’ll all head back in together for a short debrief, but not before the famous group photo! It’s usually around 12:30pm by the time we’ve packed up and changed so make sure to factor this in when planning your afternoon. 

If you don’t have to rush off, you can join us for a social on Sandbanks beach from 12:30pm. Bring some lunch and bond over time shared together on the water. 

Later in the day Amber will send the photos through so you can show all your friends and family your newly acquired skills learnt that day.

What better way to spend a Sunday!

Written by Kelly-Anne Coley.