Outdoor pursuits in Senior School
Adventure and skills beyond the classroom
Adventure awaits
Our Outdoor Pursuits Department offers pupils from the First Form (Year 7) upwards opportunities to sail, canoe, climb, windsurf and powerboat either during Games lessons or after school.
Our highly qualified, dedicated staff are proud to have such an extensive programme and a wealth of equipment to cater for all interests and ability level.
Kimbolton School is an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Recognised Training Centre and is also affiliated to British Canoeing.
Canoeing
Canoeing is available as a Games option from the Third Form upwards. After-school canoeing is available for the First and Second Forms. Our Senior canoe team (5th/Y10 – U6th Forms) competes regularly in marathon races, notably the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race (DW) – ‘the canoeist’s Everest’.
Starting in Devizes, Wiltshire, and finishing downstream of Westminster Bridge in London, the race is 125 miles long and passes 77 locks around which competitors must carry their boats. Training takes place on local rivers and canals from September to February; this is followed by the Waterside Series of races and finally DW, which takes place over Easter weekend. We have a strong record of success in the race.
Sailing
We have a large, modern fleet of sailing dinghies based at nearby Grafham Water Sailing Club. These include Picos, Lasers, Fireflies and 2000s, as well as exhilarating Dart 16 catamarans and the ultimate test of ability – the 29er! From the Third Form, pupils can opt to sail during their Games lesson; no experience is necessary as the staff and more experienced sailors will show beginners (quite literally!) the ropes.
Team sailors train at weekends and take part in wide variety of races, from club racing at Grafham Water and matches against other schools, to regional and national competitions organised by the British Schools Dinghy Racing Association and National School Sailing Association. To join the sailing team, pupils should be able to competently sail around a triangle course (e.g. RYA Stage 3 / Level 2 ability). Our holiday sailing trips are popular, most recently to Portland, Dorset.
