Outdoor Water Adventures in Cheshunt — Sail, Paddle, Swim

Herts Young Mariners Base — Cheshunt Water Sports Hub

Herts Young Mariners Base (HYMB) in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, is a dedicated centre for sailing, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and open water swimming. Located in the Lea Valley, HYMB runs accredited courses, coached sessions and community events for teens and adults. This page highlights key activities and search-focused information for anyone looking for water-based training, recreational paddling or organised swim events in and around Cheshunt.

Key Activities and Courses

• RYA Stage 1 Beginners — Three-day course introducing children to rigging, launching and basic sailing skills.
• BSUPA Ready to Ride SUP — Two-hour BSUPA Level 1 course for beginners learning flat-water SUP techniques and safety.
• Canoe & Kayak Coached Sessions (Adults) — Monthly coached sessions suitable for beginners and those improving paddling skills.
• Adults Come and Try Activities — Monthly evening sessions featuring archery, caving, climbing, canoeing, raft building and fencing.
• Adult Paddle & Adult Swim — Non-instructor-led paddles and supervised open water swim sessions for experienced participants.
• Mariners Mile Swim Event — Annual open water swim event with distances for different abilities; the 2025 Mariners Mile takes place on 27 September 2025.

Why choose Herts Young Mariners Base

• Location: HYMB sits in the Lea Valley at Cheshunt, offering both flat-water and open-water environments. This makes it suitable for learning and organised events.
• Accredited Training: The base runs recognised courses such as RYA Stage 1 sailing and BSUPA Level 1 SUP, delivering structured progression and certification pathways.
• Events and Community: Monthly adult activities and the Mariners Mile open water swim provide community-focused, accessible opportunities for new and experienced participants.

Event Details & Practical Info

• Mariners Mile (27 September 2025): Open water swim event with minimum age 14 and a medal for each swimmer; part of the entry fees supports Cancer Research UK.
• Session Times: Adults Come and Try runs on the last Thursday of each month (6pm–9pm). Canoe & Kayak coached sessions run on the last Saturday of each month. Adult Paddle is available Thursdays and Saturdays. Adult Swim sessions run Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings (up to 3.5 hours).
• Facilities: On-site changing rooms and refreshments are available for swim and paddle sessions.

Booking and Safety

Bookings, session requirements and entry details are published for each event and course. HYMB uses qualified instructors for coached and accredited sessions and separates instructor-led courses from non-instructor-led recreational sessions to match participant skill levels.

Summary

Herts Young Mariners Base is a practical choice for those searching for open water swimming in Cheshunt, paddle sports coaching, BSUPA SUP courses, and RYA beginner sailing in Hertfordshire. Whether seeking certification, coaching, or community events, HYMB provides regular sessions, accredited training and organised swim events in the Lea Valley.