Swim Safe with OnBoard (SSWOB) is a great way to introduce more young people to your club or centre, while helping them feel confident and safe in open water.

Delivered in partnership with Swim England and the RNLI, SSWOB focuses on building confidence on the water. These short practical sessions introduce key safety skills while wearing a buoyancy aid, making them an ideal first step into sailing, windsurfing and other adventures on the water.

If you’re ready to run SSWOB sessions in 2026, here’s everything you need to get started:

Step 1: Apply for Swim Safe with OnBoard

If you're already an OnBoard club or centre, log in to the RYA Affiliation Portal, go to your club page, and add the Swim Safe with OnBoard credential.

Step 2: Assign a site coordinator

Every site needs a Swim Safe with OnBoard site coordinator (an RYA Senior Instructor or above) to oversee safe delivery.

You can assign someone via the RYA Affiliation Portal. Once assigned, they’ll be enrolled in a short online training module.

If you need more than one site coordinator, you can send us the name, email address and RYA membership number of each person you'd like to enrol.

Step 3: Enrol instructors

Anyone delivering SSWOB sessions must:

• Hold a current RYA Dinghy, Windsurf or Wing Instructor qualification (or higher)
• Complete the online or in person SSWOB Instructor training

Site coordinators who also want to deliver sessions must complete the instructor training.

To enrol instructors, you can send us their name, email address and RYA membership number.

In person training can be organised with your RYA Regional Manager.

Step 4: Get set for delivery

You’ll need:

• A suitable open water space
• A completed risk assessment and operating procedures
• The SSWOB session plan
• SSWOB flags and certificates – we’ll send these to you

Need help?

If you’re ready to deliver or have questions about training, resources or planning your first sessions, email onboard@rya.org.uk or speak to your RYA Regional Manager.

You can also refer to our handy Swim Safe with OnBoard FAQ’s for quick answers to common questions.