About our School

There has been a Sailing School in this idyllic location for over 50 years, since Trevor Evans started the Westerly School Of Sailing in 1958.

Camel Sailing, formerly the Camel School of Seamanship was started by Carl and Denise Brenton over 25 years ago and had premises in the dunes behind where the Rock Inn now stands. The school later shifted to a wooden shed beside the Pontoon, and finally moved into our purpose designed Waterfront Activity Centre, built by the Duchy of Cornwall at the top of the pontoon.

Over the years the business has grown considerably but still remains a family business, since it is now owned and run by the Pickering family who took it over when Carl and Denise retired in May 2011. Apart from the four Pickerings - Richard, Lynne, Sally and Emma, we have full time professional help from Phil Skingle and David Giles.  Phil is a Director of the company and our Chief Instructor for Power Boats, while David is an unusually well qualified full RYA Coach, and our Chief Instructor Sailing.  To complete the family atmosphere David’s wife Clair is also one of our instructors.

Carl is now retired, although he still pops in most days for a coffee, or to do occasional specialist courses (but only on days when he is not out racing his Hobie 16!).   We then have more than 15 seasonal instructors varying in experience, from our Senior Instructor Paul Magee, who spent many years sail training and powerboat training in the Royal Navy, to newly qualified instructors who were taught to sail on our river as local school children under the CEYS program (www.CEYS.co.uk).  After the summer holidays most of our instructors disappear back to University, where they are studying a wide range of subjects varying from Medicine to Photography.  Whatever their age or experience, they are all really friendly people and expert sailors.  Our management staff and the RYA make sure they are always safe and fully competent to teach the courses they are booked for.

This season we have made many changes including new Pico dinghies, new instructor boats, new safety boats and a new Power Instruction Boat, plus new courses.  Although we now have over 30 boats, purpose built facilities, and new management, we have made every effort to retain the personal service that has been given since day one.

Richard Pickering – Principal