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Level with the upstream accommodation block is an area on the Surrey bank that the locals used as a car park, but which is actually an old Draw Dock . HISTORY Long owned or leased by The Navy League , then the charity responsible for the Sea Cadet Corps and the Girls' Naval Training Corps , Raven's Ait was the home of TS Neptune , a major sailing, canoeing and boating training establishment until The Navy League invested instead in TS Royalist a small Brig . Until 1970 the buildings were the familiar wooden clad "Sea Cadet Blue", with very old style dormitories and a very naval discipline. In 1971 a major rebuilding operation started, with the entire accommodation except the superintendent's house rebuilt by Haymills Construction. That rebuilding replaced all the old wooden buildings with today's island buildings, which are nowadays a conference and wedding centre {Link without Title} . During the rebuilding a small number of activities were carried on downstream of Kingston Upon Thames , at the Albany Park sailing base opposite The Royal Canoe Club , with instructors commuting daily by boat. PRIOR TO THE NAVY LEAGUE ACTIVITIES WHILE A NAVY LEAGUE WATERSPORTS VENUE Raven's Ait was accredited by the Royal Yachting Association and by the British Canoe Union to conduct training in their respective disciplines. It also provided a semi-permanent mooring for " Sparkle ", a catamaran designed to be sailed by persons of restricted physical ability and mobility. Canoeing On Thames Courses River Expeditions =River Dart Excellent river for kayaks, with decent rapids, a selection of weirs, but very sharp rocks. The River Dart is a boat killer in shallow water. The weir at Buckfast Abbey is impressive. =Exe Descent =River Wye ==Advanced Sections ==Symonds Yat Sea Expeditions =Aberavon =Rhosilli Motor Boating Skills The boats were almost all naval stock, and all diesel powered:
Pulling (rowing) Basic pulling skills were taught, usually to Sea Cadets, either in the ASC or in one of a pair of naval whalers (a clinker built pulling boat of approximately 18' LOA, slim beam, designed for naval pulling races, but originally a practical ship's boat) Sailing Boats were a mixture of typical naval stock and somewhat strengthened "ordinary" dinghies. There were the following fleets:
When the wind was too strong for novices in the early 1970s, the instructors had the habit of putting absurd rigs on small boats and terrifying themselves. One such was a Puffin Pacer with a Fireball mast and sails. Another was a Schooner Rig ged ASC Schools which used Raven's Ait for Watersports under the Navy League WATER SPORTS AFTER THE NAVY LEAGUE DAYS TODAY'S WEDDING VENUE AND CONFERENCE CENTRE Raven's Ait was licensed for marriages ceremonies in the mid 90's. ACCESS Via Ferry from Queen's Promenade CONTACT DETAILS Telephone +44 (0)20 8339 6960 EXTERNAL LINKS |
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