Wormit Boating Club and Watersports Hub welcomed 23 local children for a fantastic week of watersports, learning and adventure this summer, with support from East Fife ClubSport helping to make the event possible.
Held from 27–31 July 2026, the week-long Cadet Week gave children aged 8 to 15 the opportunity to experience a huge variety of activities on and around the River Tay.
The programme was supported by 11 volunteer club supervisors and four qualified instructors, with youngsters taking part in sailing, rowing, paddleboarding, kayaking, raft building and powerboating, alongside a range of on-water and shore-based games.
Keeping the week accessible to local families was a major priority for Wormit Boating Club. The cost was deliberately kept to just £50 per child for the entire week, covering tuition, access to boats and equipment, trips, activities, buoyancy aids and morning and afternoon snacks.
Demand was extremely high, with all available places filled and a considerable waiting list for children hoping to take part.
Learning Skills On and Off the Water
Cadet Week wasn’t only about having fun on the water. The children were also introduced to important lifesaving and emergency response skills, including what to do in an emergency, how to contact the emergency services and the basics of CPR and resuscitation.
A visit from the Coastguard provided another opportunity to learn about water safety, while one of the highlights of the week saw the group travel by powerboat to Broughty Ferry RNLI station.
The trip was rounded off with a well-earned ice cream from Visocchi’s!
A Very Special Rowing Experience
The Friday programme brought another memorable experience when members of Scottish Rowing, including athletes from its Olympic training squad, joined the group.
The children were given the chance to try rowing boats and receive guidance from elite athletes, including current World Champions.
It proved to be one of the standout sessions of the week, giving the young participants a unique opportunity to learn directly from athletes competing at the highest level of the sport.
Regatta Brings a Brilliant Week to a Close
Cadet Week culminated in a sailing regatta on the River Tay, with 20 of the children taking part around a specially prepared course.
Families and friends then joined the group for a prizegiving ceremony and BBQ, bringing an action-packed week to a fitting conclusion.
Feedback from the children and their families was extremely positive, with Wormit Boating Club already receiving requests for another camp next year.
East Fife ClubSport Funding Supporting Water Safety
Funding provided by East Fife ClubSport was used by Wormit Boating Club to upgrade its supply of buoyancy aids.
The investment helped ensure that children taking part throughout the week could enjoy the activities with equipment that was both safe and comfortable.
Dr Lesley Holdsworth OBE, Vice Commodore and Treasurer of Wormit Boating Club, said the support had been invaluable in helping the club deliver the programme.
Wormit Boating Club is an affiliated member of East Fife ClubSport and continues to play an important role in providing accessible opportunities for children and young people to experience boating and watersports within the local community.
East Fife ClubSport is delighted to have supported such a successful initiative and to see funding helping young people discover new sports, develop important skills and create some fantastic summer memories.
