FAQ

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!

  • Where is Beijing Sailing Center located? Where would the sailing summer camp take place?

    The office of Beijing Sailing Center is located in Dongzhimen, Beijing. Our sailing base is in Beidaihe, approximately 2 hours from Beijing by high speed train. The summer camp and all courses take place in Beidaihe.

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  • Who are you? Do you have any experience of operating sailing summer camp?

    Our instructor team is made up of RYA and IYT qualified instructors from China and the United Kingdom. Beijing Sailing Center has been running summer camps since 2007, not only do the children learn to sail but they get to take part in various water-bound and land-bound activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, windsurfing, raft building, beach volley, and many more.

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  • Why should my child learn to sail?

    Sailing is an exciting and diverse sport. Learning to sail will help your child to gain confidence on and around the water. Sailing doesn’t just have to be an individual sport; sailing on larger boats with several people helps them to improve on their team work and communication skills. There are many different opportunities that learning to sail can present your child, whether they end up just enjoying a relaxing sail or taking part in racing there will always be something for them to take part in.

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  • If my child wants to learn how to sail, why should we choose you instead of the other training institutions?

    Beijing Sailing Center is an experienced sailing institution; it has been operating successfully for eight years. Both our Western and Chinese instructors have years of experience, they will work together to produce fun, exciting and interactive courses. Our Youth Programs are designed to support the 4Cs of 21st Century Education; Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity, which are preferable skills and objectives highlighted by parents and educators.

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  • What will my child gain from learning to sail?

    Learning to sail will boost your child’s confidence. By the end of the course they will be able to confidently sail a small boat on their own; they will have knowledge of the wind and tide; and rope work that is needed for sailing. All of these skills will help your child to become more practical. Whilst sailing you are often faced with problem solving tasks, with the help of an instructor your child will be able to overcome these, giving them a sense of achievement. Once your child starts sailing they won’t want to give up, they will want to keep progressing!

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  • What is the age range for summer camp?

    Children aged 8 to 18 are welcome to attend summer camps.

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  • Can children who cannot swim attend?

    Yes, children who cannot swim will not be at a disadvantage; there will be lots of activities throughout the week to help them to become confident with being in and on the water. Our team ensure the safety procedures are being reinforced and each child are wearing all safety equipment during the camp.

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  • When can I book? When do I receive booking confirmation?

    We are currently taking bookings for summer 2016. We have a discount of 200 Yuan off if you book before April 30. You will receive a confirmation email from our sales team as soon as your payment has been received.

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  • How will groups be divided?

    Groups will be divided by age and ability by the instructors upon your child’s arrival at the center.

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  • Is sailing a safe sport?

    Sailing is a safe, fun sport that can be enjoyed by everyone. We will always make safety our first priority, if the conditions are not suitable for sailing we will do land-bound activities instead.

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  • Are windsurfing, kayaking and paddle boarding safe sports?

    All of these sports are safe providing you do them in the correct conditions; we always make sure we take all necessary precautions before taking children on these activities.

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  • How do you ensure the safety of the children?

    When heading out on the water every person is required to wear a buoyancy aid that is correctly fitted. Groups heading out on to the water will be fully briefed as to what to do in the event of an emergency. There is ALWAYS at least one safety boat on the water to keep an eye out and help anyone who gets into difficulty. The instructor will always stay with the group, and if they feel it is necessary they will end the session and head back to shore early.

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  • What is instructor and student ratio on the water?

    1 instructor to 6 students.

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  • Is there insurance?

    Yes, the company has an insurance policy that covers all guests and staff.

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  • How do the children travel from Beijing to Beidaihe? Where do parents drop and pick up the kids?

    A week before departure you will be contacted and informed exactly when and where you will be dropping of your child. The meeting point will be somewhere in Beijing Railway Station (Subway line 2). The train ride takes roughly two hours, upon arrival in Beidaihe we provide a bus transportation to the hotel.

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  • Where will the children stay? How far away from the base? How many people per room?

    The children will be staying in Huamao Azure Beach Hote, about 800m away from our sailing base. There are 4-6 people per room, well equiped. From and to the center is approximately 10 minutes’ walk.

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  • What food is provided and who is it provided by?

    There are 3 meals a day provided. All will be provided at the Azure Beach Hotel. Our meals will be provided at the center by a catering company that is equipped to deal with allergies and dietary requirement. Please inform us in advance about your child’s specific dietary requirement.

     

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  • Who will be looking after the children’s basic needs? What’s the ratio?

    There will be instructors or camp counselors on hand at all times to help the children. All members of staff will be trained by BSC to look after your children to a high standard. There will be a ratio of 1 instructor to 10 children.

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  • Can parents accompany children on summer camp? If they can, where can they stay?

    Parents can accompany children; however we recommend that they do not because we encourage the children to be more independent. Parents are welcome to come along to the final day of the summer camp to watch their child sail and attend the prize giving. If parents do wish to accompany children we can help to arrange accommodation at the hotel.

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  • My child want to share a room with his friend, can you arrange it?

    If your child wants to share a room with their friend we will try our best to get them in the same room, however we cannot always guarantee this. Advance notice will help us with the arrangement.

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  • Do children need any special clothing or equipment?

    Quick drying clothes are recommended, along with a pair of water shoes.

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  • Carrying cash

    It is recommended to send your child with all the necessary items so that they do not have to spend a lot of money whilst on camp. Roughly 200-400 yuan would be enough for your child for the week; the camp will provide three meals a day with fruit included.

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  • Baggage

    A small to medium sized case that your child can easily transport. A rucksack is recommended for your child to take things to and from the center during the day, such as sun block, sunglasses, small towel, and dry set of clothes.

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  • Recommended kit list (*is a must)

    1. * 2-3 sets of swimwear; 5 sets of underclothes;
    2. *3-5 quick-dry T-shirts, long-sleeved or short-sleeved for sailing.(BSC will provide one); 1-2 pairs of quick-dry long pants;
    3. *3-5 quick-drying shorts or beach shorts for sailing; water shoes
    4. *1-2 quick-dry towels (recommend to write name on the label due to similar color or patterns)
    5. *Personal toiletries, skincare, comb and sunscreen cream(above 30+, better be 50-70 SPF)
    6. *Sailing gloves( or general sports gloves) and sailing kneecap (or general kneecap)
    7. *1-2 wind and rain protect jackets, evening or rainy day use. 1 sport fleece, for the changes of weather(optional for camps in July and August)
    8.  2-3 shirts or T-shirts and 2-3 trouser or shorts, for evening activities at the camp.
    9.  1 set of goggles. One pair of slippers
    10. 1 set of pajamas

     

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  • How to solve laundry problem?

    There is a washing machine available for your child to use under the supervision of an instructor. There is detergent and drying rack available.

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  • Can children bring electrical or valuable items with them?

    It is not recommended that children bring valuables or electrical items with them.

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  • My child will not leaving from Beijing, how to solve the transportation? Can you pick up at Beidaihe train station?

    If your child is arriving to Beidaihe train station we can arrange for them to be picked up and taken to the center.

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  • Who will be looking after the children when not sailing?

    There will be instructors and camp counselors supervising the children whilst not sailing and at the hotel at all times. Children will never be left unsupervised.

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  • What happens if my child falls ill during summer camp?　

    If your child falls ill whilst at summer camp we will keep an eye on them, if they continue to feel worse we will notify the parents/guardian and take the child to a local medical center.

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  • If my child injures them self is there first aid available?

    The instructors at the center are first aid trained and can provide basic first aid. No medicines will be administered by staff. If the injury is serious the child will be taken to hospital and parents/guardians informed.

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  • Are there mosquitoes in Beidaihe? Are there any preventive measures?

    There aren’t any mosquitoes during the day; a few come out at night. Although it is not a problem mosquito repellent is recommended.

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  • How will you deal with exposure to the strong summer sun?

    When possible we will provide shade, when out on the water we shall make sure children have sufficient water and regularly apply sun block.

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  • What will children achieve in a single and double week camp?

    The aim of the camp is to get children who have never sailed before to be confident on a boat. The children will gain the basic skills be able to control a small single hander boat on their own. If your child is staying for two weeks we aim to introduce more advanced sailing technique allows students to widen their sailing knowledge. This will help to inspire children into racing.

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  • What is instructor nationality? Are they qualified? What is the ratio of children and instructors?

    Our Chinese instructors are International Yacht (IYT) Training qualified. The United Kingdom instructors are Royal Yacht Association (RYA) qualified. Each instructor will have no more than six children in a group.

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  • What language is used for teaching?

    We have both English and Chinese speaking instructors. If the children are struggling to understand an instructor we will always try to be flexible and change instructors if necessary.

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  • What is the Sailing curriculum system?

    We follow the International Yacht Training (IYT) sailing syllabus. There several different levels you can complete. The first camp your child attends will be covering the Bronze Award (beginner level).

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  • Will my child receive a certificate at the end of the camp? What is the value of this certificate?

    The children will receive a BSC certificate at the end of the camp for their participation in our camp program; this will then be followed by the IYT certificate if the children pass the exam. IYT is an internationally recognized organization; the IYT certificate will allow your child to sail dinghies all over the world.

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  • My child has been twice before, what will they be doing?

    Your child will continue to gain experience sailing independently, covering the Gold Award (more advance level).

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  • In addition to sailing, what are the other activities available? How to arrange the time?

    We also have kayaking and paddle boarding for the children to take part in. Often we will split the groups up so some will be sailing whilst some will be kayaking or paddle boarding. When the children are not on the water we can play team building games on the beach.

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  • Are there any pre-camp training materials?

    There are no particular pre-camp training materials. The learning starts the moment they arrive. There will be hands on demonstrations to quizzes in the evening to make sure each child gets the most out of the learning.

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  • Where can I buy the clothing and equipment?

    Throughout Beijing there are several good shops to purchase clothing and equipment from. However we also take orders of any item you would like to get or need for the children. You are welcome to consult with us regarding purchasing and ordering.

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  • Are there any pre-camp Tips?

    Yes, we will send an email a week before departure to all parents.

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  • I am interested in my child attending summer camp, but they are worried about it. What is the best way to persuade them?

    It is common for children to be slightly nervous before starting something unknown. It is possible for them to speak to one of our team directly to find out more information about sailing and what it involves. This will often stop them from worrying.

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  • If my child was going to study abroad in the future would this help them?

    Sailing can present your child with great opportunities all over the world; it is a very social sport. It allows you to meet many different people and travel to many exotic places.  Sailing can also provide you with a career, many of our instructors started sailing at a young age and have continued to do so ever since.

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  • How can parents get children daily activity info and photos?

    Each week we will have a Wechat page running where parents can look at photos and ask questions. Please note because the instructors will be updating this page it will not be updated until the evening as they will be out on the water with the children during the day.

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  • My child is coming to summer camp on their own and doesn’t know anyone else, and would it matter?

    We make sure the children feel welcomed and help them to get to know each other with some activities and games. There will be other children who are also attending for the first time. We will introduce them to one another through a sweet and simple introductory and icebreaker games upon arrival and encourage them to actively participate on each activities. Within no time they will start sharing moments and creating memories of their lifetime.

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  • What would children bring back in the end of this camp?

    The camp will have sparked an interest in sailing that your child will probably never lose. They will want to keep progressing and one day may even become a professional sailors and/or sailing instructors themselves. They will bring home friendship and memories that last a lifetime. Your child will also gain an internationally recognized sailing certificate which will allow them to sail dinghies all around the world.

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  • Why Beijing sailing?

    We are the leading and biggest IYT (International Yacht Training) sailing training center in china, our instructors are fully IYT qualified and are continually trained to deliver the highest standard of training.

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  • How long does it take to learn to sail?

    After only a 2-day level 1 course you can be sailing comfortably in all directions under supervision in a controlled environment. After the 2-day level 2 course you can sail on the open sea independently.

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  • Can I sail if I’m nervous around the water and can’t swim?

    You will always be wearing a buoyancy aid whilst out on the water; this will keep you floating without trying! If you are nervous about the water or a non-swimmer this is no problem, just be sure to let the instructor know before you go sailing and they will recommend which boat is best.

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  • I don’t have any sailing gear, where can I buy it?

    We provide the basic sailing gear such as buoyancy aid, wetsuits and helmets for everyone to use. To get started you just need swimming gear, shorts and T-shirt. Later if you want to buy your own equipment, we stock an exclusive range of top international sailing clothes and gear in our clubhouse shop.

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  • No wind or too much wind, raining – what do we do?

    The weather conditions in Hua Mao beach, Qinhuangdao, are normally good for sailing. If the wind is light, then a sea breeze fills in during the day. However, if we are faced with unsuitable conditions then our instructors will adjust the schedule and teach sailing theory and rebook the practical sessions if necessary.

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  • Are there any changing facilities?

    Yes. There are changing facilities with showers and toilets available in our training center for our clients’ use only.

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  • Do you have on-dining facilities and a bar?

    No currently we don’t have an on-dining facilities or bar yet. Within two minutes of walk there’s a restaurant and bar where guests can get food and beverages, however making an arrangement in advance with us is also an option. We have managed to arrange BBQ lunches and dinners in previous occasions.

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  • Some of my friends and family are non-sailors, is there anything for them to do?

    There is a golden sandy beach at our center. Guests can do hiking, picnic, build a sand castle, play beach volleyball, football or Frisbee, rent a bike and ride around the beach or city. We also provide kayaks, windsurfing boards, and SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) exclusively for our guests.

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  • Are there safety boats on the water?

    Yes. Safety is our main priority at BSC, we always have at least one safety boat out on the water and we increase the amount based on the number of boats on the water.

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  • Is there accommodation onsite?

    There is not accommodation onsite however there are several hotels a short taxi or bike away, the most popular is the Sheraton Hotel in Beidaihe. This hotel can also accept foreign visitors.

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  • Will I get any information prior to my course?

    Yes, you will receive an email with joining instructions attached, they will tell you the time, date and location as well as any additional information relevant to your course.

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