Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Sailing Adventures
Embark on an unforgettable Gold DofE Residential Sailing Adventure
This is your DofE Gold Residential – spent living on a sailing yacht, out on the water, with people that will soon become friends for life. Five days. One boat. Zero boredom.
You will sail, cook, explore, laugh, get tired, feel proud, and finish your Gold Award doing something you’ll really want to shout about. Always fancied taking the helm on a yacht on the open water? Then sign up now:
2026 and 2027 DofE Gold Residential Opportunities
Price includes – RYA Sailing instruction (1:3) working towards Level 1 and Level 2 RYA Sailing qualification, course materials and certificates, accommodation onboard a Norfolk yacht, all meals, sailing equipment including lifejackets, waterproofs, sailing gloves.
Who can take part?
Everyone. Never sailed before? No problem. Most people haven’t. Our instructors will teach you everything you need to know. All we expect from you is a willingness to try, a good attitude and a sense of adventure!
This will be the best leap outside of your comfort zone you have ever taken – navigating tides, weather and open water. It will feel bigger because it is.
Don’t forget, learning to sail is only part of the adventure. In your down time you will be learning to cook for your crew members in the confines of a yacht kitchen, reading the weather conditions and planning your route for the next day. Set sail for adventure with us!
What to expect?
Our residentials provide a 5-day, 4-night opportunity to develop new skills, independence, and teamwork aboard our wooden yachts. What to expect:
Living aboard and working as part of a crew.
Hands-on sailing and boating activities, working towards a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) qualification.
Personal development, communication, and confidence-building.
A structured programme meeting Gold DofE Residential requirements.
- Enrichment benefits including building confidence, developing leadership and decision making skills, problem solving and forming friendships.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1
Arrival, safety briefing, introduction to boat and crew. Shakedown sail with your skipper to the first evening destination.
Day 2
Sailing basics, learning the ropes, parts of the boat, setting sail, tacking and gybing.
Day 3
Route planning, taking the helm, teamwork exercises.
Day 4
Advanced sailing, man overboard drills, on-board camping.
Day 5
Final sail, reflection, debrief, departure.
Why the Norfolk Broads? Why Eastwood Whelpton?
With over 125 miles of navigable waterways, the Broads National Park is the best place in the UK to learn to sail. Safe inland waterways, with the challenge of negotiating bridges, tides and changing weather conditions.
Eastwood Whelpton has a long tradition of teaching youth groups to sail in Norfolk. Our instructors have many years of experience, and encyclopaedic knowledge of the rivers, broads and undiscovered mooring spots.
Learn to sail in Norfolk and you will have a skill for life that could take you all over the world. Join us on this extraordinary journey and fulfil your Gold DofE residential with a sailing adventure that will challenge and inspire you. Adventure awaits—are you ready to hoist the sails?
