Centrally located inland centre
Discover ASC Reading
A quick escape from the city
Watersports and sailing activities for all
Reading’s centrally-located lake is perfect for a quick escape to learn and pursue your favourite adventures. Close to major UK transport links and set in a safe and enclosed inland area, we have watersports & sailing activities to suit all with an active club racing scene.
Open all year round
Our all-season Centres run throughout the year to keep the water accessible to all.
A wide variety of activities
From sailing to windsurfing, foiling to kayaking, there’s something for everyone.
Central inland location
Safe and enclosed sailing lake close to major UK transport links.
Burghfield Sailing Club
Close partnership with renowned local sailing club with an active club racing scene.
Business facilities
Meeting rooms, free wifi and catering options available on request.
Great Location & huge range of activities
Find your perfect course or activity at ASC Reading
Ready to hit the water? Explore what’s on offer at ASC Reading by choosing specific dates to suit your calendar, or by browsing everything available.
Join in with the fun
Explore our most popular activities
Whether you’re looking for beginner level courses, expert level coaching, taster sessions, birthday parties or holiday activities, we have something for everyone. Discover what ASC Reading has to offer.
Our upcoming events
What’s on at ASC Reading
Explore our upcoming events and open days and discover ways to get involved with your local sailing and watersports community.
Practical information
Location & facilities
Our ASC Reading centre is close to major UK transport links and set in a safe and enclosed inland area. Watersports & sailing activities are on offer to suit all abilities with an active club racing scene.
Centre location
ASC Reading, Hangar Road, Theale,
Reading, RG7 4AP
Wednesday – Sunday 9:30am – 4:30pm
0118 930 3467
Centre facilities
Based just a few minute’s drive from Junction 12 of the M4, our Reading centre is easily accessible by car. Theale train station is a 15 minute walk for those arriving by public transport.
Meeting room
Free parking
Catering available on request
Changing rooms at
Burghfield Sailing Club
Toilets
Accessible facilities
Showers
Join the ASC Reading community
Community clubs and charitable programmes
Discover our range of community sailing clubs and programmes, subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. Access the water regularly and discover your potential at ASC Reading
Sailing Club
A weekly sailing club for all levels, aimed at helping young people develop their skills and progress with their sailing.
| When | Saturdays and Wednesday evenings |
| Who | Ages 8-18 for beginners to intermediate |
| Price | £15 per session* |
| How | Book online or in person |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. Full price for the 3 hour club is £38.
Improver Sailing Club
A weekly sailing club for young people who are RYA Stage 3, or equivalent and want to progress with their sailing.
| When | Saturday from 13:30-16:30 |
| Who | Ages 8-18 at RYA Stage 3 & above |
| Price | £15 per session* |
| How | Book online or in person |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. Full price for the 3 hour club is £38.
Race Club
A weekly sailing club aimed at children and young adults at RYA Stage 3 or equivalent sailors, enabling them to learn and develop racing techniques.
| When | Sunday 09:30-12:30 |
| Who | Ages 8-18 at RYA Stage 3 or equivalent |
| Price | £15 per session* |
| How | Book online or in person |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. Full price for the 3 hour club is £38.
BYS Windsurfing Club
Complete beginners and novices are welcome to join our British Youth Sailing Windsurfing Club! The aim of the club is to have fun and practice.
| When | Saturday 09:30-12:30 |
| Who | Age 8+ at RYA Stage 1 |
| Price | £15 per session* |
| How | Book online or in person |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. Full price for the 3 hour club is £38
BYS Windsurfing Club – Improver
For windsurfers RYA stage 2 and above. A chance to work on intermediate, advanced, and racing skills as well as take part in BYS Windsurfing inter-club events.
| When | Saturday 13:30-16:30 |
| Who | Age 8+ at RYA Stage 2 & above |
| Price | £15 per session* |
| How | Book online or in person |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. Full price for the 3 hour club is £38
Discover Sailing
Discover Sailing is made available to all young people, regardless of their background or ability. Our Discover Sailing sessions enable young people to access an exciting new sport and become more active individuals.
| Who | Ages 8+ for beginners to intermediate |
| Price | from £5 per session* |
| How | Get in touch to book or enquire |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation.
Aiming High
Aiming High is a sailing and watersports programme which supports young people living with a learning and/or physical disability. The programme also focuses on young people’s mental health, using sailing and watersports to boost young people’s sense of self-worth and help them manage their emotions.
| Who | Ages 7+ |
| Price | either free or from £5 per session* |
| How | Get in touch to book or enquire |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation.
Young Leaders
Young Leaders provides young adults with the opportunity to attend a leadership-training programme where they learn key skills and are prepared for the Dinghy Instructor qualification.
| Who | Ages 14+ |
| Price | from £50 per weekend* |
| How | Get in touch to book or enquire |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation.
SailFit
SailFit focuses on tackling inactivity in young
people, teaching them skills, participating in physical activity via learning to sail and inspiring them to eat a healthily and balanced diet in a safe and inclusive environment.
| Who | Ages 8+ |
| Price | either free or from £5 per session* |
| How | Get in touch to book or enquire |
This course is subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation.
We’ve got something for everyone
School and youth group activity days
Our team will be happy to put together a bespoke package to meet the needs of your group. The centre can cater for group sizes of up to 120 people, taking part in a range of activities including sailing, windsurfing and paddlesports. The centre team has a wealth of experience in ensuring that activities cater to children with all levels of experience and will adapt activities to meet any additional needs.
Enquire about a group booking at ASC Reading
How we’re transforming lives
Our success stories
We work closely with groups and individuals to help them grow and succeed through learning new skills, building confidence and developing essential teamwork and leadership skills. Explore some of our success stories below.
Promoting Health and Wellbeing throughout 2022
We believe that participating in sailing and watersports promotes positive health and well-being. Therefore, we have developed two charitable programmes which focus upon young people’s physical and mental health.
The Holiday Activity Fund providing Opportunities on the water for all
In 2022, Andrew Simpson Centres received HAF funding from their local councils, with the support of footballer, Marcus Rashford. The aim of HAF is to provide support to children in receipt of free school meals throughout the holiday periods.
Over 1300 young people took part in our Community Clubs in 2022
All Community Clubs are subsidised by the Andrew Simpson Foundation. 88% of the young people who took part in one of our Community Clubs said they felt part of the sailing and watersports community and 50% achieved accredited qualifications.
Our dedicated centre team
The people that make us who we are
We pride ourselves on having the best team in the industry, from top-quality instructors to exceptional customer-service givers and experienced managers. Our seasonal instructor team can grow to over 100 over the summer. Our senior team members below are your best point of contact year-round.
Kat Banks
Centre Manager
Charlie Whelan
Chief Instructor
Emma Bannister
Sales & Comms Coordinator
Kristof Jenkins
Senior Instructor
Louise Lovesey
Instructor
Speak to the team at ASC Portsmouth
Make a general enquiry
Whether you’d like to ask about a bespoke activity, a course recommendation or anything else, our friendly centre team will be able to help. Call during normal opening hours (Monday to Sunday 9am – 5pm) or send a message with the form below:
Contact details
ASC Reading
Hanger Road, Theale, Reading, RG7 4AP
+44 (0)118 930 34673
reading@andrewsimpsoncentres.org
Wednesday to Sunday 9:30am – 4:30pm
Our sailing community
Discover our other centres
ASC Birmingham
Birmingham is our newest Centre, based in the midlands, a perfect location for sailing and watersports with a wide range of RYA courses, training and activities for beginners through to experts!
You’re in safe hands
All of our courses are led by industry-leading professionals, with experience in working with children and those with additional physical and learning needs.
Recognised as experts
Our centres have RYA accredited instructors and coaches, meaning you are getting the highest level of expert tuition for you and your family.
Ethical fundraising
We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator, showing that we are committed to fundraise in a way that is legal, open, honest and respectful.
Not sure where to go?
If you’d rather speak to a person, get in touch with our Centres directly on +44 (0)300 124 0449 9am – 5 pm, Monday to Saturday to have a chat.
