Chinese students travel 5,000 miles to sail at Rockley Point Sailing Centre

Rockley Watersports is expanding its programme to attract Chinese students to its sailing centre on the UK’s south coast for Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training courses, focusing on beginners. This initiative builds on a decade-long programme that has successfully helped experienced Chinese sailors obtain their RYA Dinghy Instructor qualification.

Starting in 2025, Alan Huang will bring 50 students to Poole, with numbers set to increase to 75 in 2026 and 100 in 2027. These students will participate in one-week RYA training courses, gaining invaluable skills and experiences on the water.

As part of the World Sailing programme, the collaboration continues the relationship with Huang, a prominent figure in the Chinese sailing community.

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“This partnership with Rockley Watersports is a fantastic opportunity for Chinese students to experience exceptional RYA training in the beautiful waters of Poole,” says Huang. “We are confident that this initiative will inspire more young people in China to take up sailing and develop their skills through the RYA scheme.”

Students at Rockley Point Sailing Centre will benefit from a sailing programme that covers essential sailing techniques, safety procedures, and teamwork.

“We are incredibly excited to embark on this journey with Alan Huang and welcome Chinese students to our Rockley Point Sailing Centre,” says Jack Clark, head of sales and marketing at Rockley (pictured left). “This partnership not only strengthens our international ties, but also provides a unique opportunity for students to experience the highest level of sail training in a world-class environment. We look forward to helping grow participant numbers in China and sharing our passion for sailing with a new generation of sailors.”

No stranger to pushing boundaries with its offering, Rockley initiated an Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship programme in 2019.