Family activities at Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre (WOEC)

To book, email woec@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk 

Paddleboard taster session

Event details

The paddleboard taster session is:

• Saturday mornings
• 09:30am to 12:30pm
• 7 June, 28 June, 6 Sept & 20 Sept
• £30 per person, per session
• Minimum age 10+

Test your balance on our inflatable stand up paddleboards in the calm waters of Portland Harbour or Weymouth Bay with an experienced and friendly instructor to help guide you.

These sessions are aimed as your first-time introduction to the sport. A gentle, short, and enjoyable experience where you can explore options to take the sport further.

We welcome both adults and families, including children aged 10 and over. All under 16 year olds must be joined by an accompanying and fully participating adult. This is not a child focused session, but we can offer a party session that might be better suited.

Kayak taster session

Event details

The Kayak taster session is:

• Saturday afternoons
• 1:30pm to 4:30pm
• 17 May, 28 June, 6 Sept & 20 Sept
• £30 per person, per session
• Minimum age 8+

Try our sit on top kayaks in the calm waters of Portland Harbour or Weymouth Bay with an experienced and friendly instructor to help guide you.

These sessions are aimed as your first-time introduction to the sport. A gentle, short, and enjoyable experience where you can explore options to take the sport further.

We welcome both adults and families, including children aged 8 and over. All under 16 year olds must be joined by an accompanying by a fully participating adult. This is not a child focused session, but we can offer a party session that might be better suited.

Climbing taster session

Event details

The climbing taster session is:

• Saturday mornings
• 09:30am to 1:30pm
• 24 May, 7 June, 5 July, 26 July, 2 Aug, 23 Aug
• £55 per person, per session
• Minimum age 12+

Test your head for heights on the rock faces of Portland. You'll be shown the ropes and encouraged to embrace the challenge of finding your hand and foot holds as you make your way to the top of the climb before being lowered down. Go as high as you feel comfortable, with a variety of climbing routes for varying ability. 

These sessions are aimed as your first-time introduction to the sport. A gentle, short, and enjoyable experience where you can explore options to take the sport further.

We welcome both adults and families, including children aged 12 and over. All under 16 year olds must be joined by an accompanying by a fully participating adult. This is not a child focused session, but we can offer a party session that might be better suited. We also offer adult only climbing evenings as an alternative option. Click here for adult only climbing taster sessions.

Coasteer taster session

Event details coming soon

The Coasteer taster session is:

• Dates 
• Times
• £55 per person
• Minimum age 12+

Minimum age 12. All under 16’s to be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian.

Celebrate the summer holidays with a splash, as you explore the rocky features of Portland Bill by water! This is an adrenaline fuelled session that requires a good level of water confidence and physical strength. Test your head for heights as you jump off, swim to and scramble around some iconic Jurassic coastal features, such as sea caves, ledges, and rock stacks. You’ll see limpets in action as well as marvelling at ammonites, which were shelled cephalopods that died about 66 million years ago.

All equipment and minibus transport included. Small group size and in the capable hands of two experienced team members, led by a qualified National Coasteer Charter guide.

Summer Solstice paddle

Event details

The Summer Solstice paddle is:

• Friday 20 June and Saturday 21 June
• 7:30pm to 10:30pm
• £55 per person

Minimum age of 10 years. All under 16’s to be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian.

Join us for a midsummer evening with a difference. You will head onto the waters in sit on top kayaks, lit up with glowsticks to explore Portland harbour by dusk. Enjoy the opportunity to marvel at the sunset as it dips over Chesil Bank, before heading back under the starry sky (clear sky permitting).

Summer full moon paddle

Event details

The Summer Solstice paddle is:

• Friday 8 August 
• 7:30pm to 10:30pm
• £55 per person

Minimum age of 10 years. All under 16’s to be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian.

Take to the water under the shimmer of bright full moon, and lit only by glowsticks. You will be guided as a group around Portland Harbour in sit on top kayaks, by a team of qualified instructors.

Summer new moon paddle

Event details

The Summer Solstice paddle is:

• Friday 22 August 
• 7:30pm to 10:30pm
• £55 per person

Minimum age of 10 years. All under 16’s to be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian.

Take to the water in the darkness of a new moon, and lit only by glowsticks. You will be guided as a group around Portland Harbour in sit on top kayaks, by a team of qualified instructors.

SwimSafe Sessions

Event details - coming soon

The beach day is:

• Dates
• Times
• ages 7 to 14
• Free, bookable via SwimSafe website

Book a free SwimSafe Session and learn how to stay safe in open water. 

Safety equipment and instructors provided, but you’ll need to bring swimwear, water shoes (old trainers are fine), and a towel. We are not providing wetsuits, but suggest if you have your own, to bring it along with you.  Outside beach showers (cold) area available to rinse off, with plentiful public toilets at the Beach Office building. 

SwimSafe is a joint program between the RNLI and Swim England to teach young children how to swim safely in open water and in the event of being in the water in distress, how to survive.

Find on the main Weymouth beach, near the beach office, lifeguard station and clock tower. 

To book, email woec@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk