Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre celebrates 20 years on Yeadon Tarn

In Yeadon, in the north west of Leeds, a stretch of open water has been introducing people to sailing and paddlesports for two decades. Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre on Yeadon Tarn celebrated 20 years in 2026.

Leeds City Council reported in June 2026 that the centre marked 20 years since it first set sail on Yeadon Tarn with a 400-laps open day, a challenge tied into the city's historic anniversary year. It was a fun and fitting way to mark two decades on the water.

The range of activities on offer is impressive. The centre's programme includes sailing, kayaking, open canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, improvised rafting, windsurfing and rowing on the water.

On dry land there is climbing, abseiling, orienteering, off-road biking, problem solving, bushcraft, soft archery and team building, which makes it a popular choice for groups, schools and families. Many first-time visitors arrive to try one activity and leave planning to come back for another.

The centre is well qualified to teach. It holds Royal Yachting Association Recognised Training Centre status for dinghy sailing, windsurfing, powerboating and shorebased theory courses, and it is a British Canoeing approved activity provider.

Accessibility is part of the picture, too. Leeds City Council notes that all paths around Yeadon Tarnfield Park are wheelchair accessible and that accessible toilets are available in the activity centre. It means the park can be enjoyed by as many people as possible, whether they are taking to the water or simply walking around the tarn.

Leeds List included the tarn in its 2025 guide to outdoor activities in Leeds, highlighting the chance to try kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, windsurfing and rafting without leaving the city.

For anyone who has always fancied learning to sail or paddle, a council-run centre on a calm inland water is a friendly place to begin, and twenty years on it is still helping people find their sea legs.

Online booking is available for beginner sessions and courses, weekly sessions and holiday activities, with details on the Active Leeds website.