The cooler months may be here but you can keep on learning at Ballyholme Yacht Club with Autumn courses for prospective wingfoilers, windsurfers, powerboaters as well as skippers and yachtmasters.
You do not have to be a member to take any of the courses and all the necessary equipment is provided although you will be expected to bring your own personal swimwear, waterproofs and footwear where needed.
BYC is a RYA (Royal Yachting Association) recognised training centre with courses run by qualified teachers with certificates awarded on successful completion of these courses.
Shore-based Theory Courses
RYA Day Skipper Theory Course
A comprehensive introduction to cruising for inexperienced skippers.
The course equips you with enough knowledge to skipper and navigate a small boat in familiar waters by day, as well as providing an introduction to night cruising with training covering a basic knowledge of navigational lights.
The course includes lots of navigation (including use of GPS and electronic charts), meteorology, collision regulations and safety procedures.
Classroom based at Ballyholme Yacht Club.
Starts Tuesday 10th September running every Wednesday for 4 months
Time – 6:30-9:00 pm (Minimum of 40 hours of teaching)
Open to members (£360) and non-members (£400) plus a non-refundable administrative charge of £1.50 per transaction.
RYA Day Skipper – learn more and book your place >
RYA Coastal Yachtmaster Theory Course
The Coastal Yachtmaster Theory course is the next step up from the RYA Day Skipper Theory Course and provides participants with the knowledge to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night. The comprehensive course covers offshore and coastal navigation, pilotage coastal and offshore passages and includes an extensive set of materials to assist you with the course.
While ideally you will have done the Day Skipper theory course, if you have owned a boat for a while and have already done a reasonable amount of navigating this shorebased Yachtmaster Theory course is also suitable for you.
Classroom based at Ballyholme Yacht Club.
Starts Wednesday 11th September running every Wednesday for 4 months
Time – 6:30-9:00 pm (Minimum of 40 hours of teaching)
Open to members (£400) and non-members (£430) plus a non-refundable administrative charge of £1.50 per transaction.
RYA Coastal Yachtmaster – learn more and book your place >
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory
Learn advanced skills to prepare you for ocean sailing.
The course comprises two parts:
- Part 1: Use and care of a Sextant, The Celestial Sphere, Meridian Passage, sight reductions for the Sun / Moon/ Planets and Stars, using Polaris to obtain your latitude. Plotting sights and using the sun to check your compass.
- Part 2: Ocean weather and global weather systems, tropical revolving storms. Electronics and communications. Route planning in advance for weather and ocean currents, sources of information. Internal organisation and watch systems.
Attendees should have chart work and meteorology knowledge to Coastal Yacht Master theory level.
Classroom based at Ballyholme Yacht Club.
Starts Thursday 12th September and running every Thursday for 4 months
Time – 6:30-9:00 pm (Minimum of 40 hours of teaching)
Open to BYC members (£425) and non-members (£475) plus a non-refundable administrative charge of £1.50 per transaction.
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory – learn more and book your place >
Windsurfing and Wingsurfing Courses
RYA Start Windsurfing Course
RYA Start Windsurfing CourseA 2-day introductory course covering the basics of windsurfing, comprising some classroom theory, use of a dryland simulator rig and approximately 8 hours on the water.
This exciting and dynamic water sport is an exhilarating and addictive sport for all ages. The RYA Scheme has been designed to help you progress rapidly and accessibly through the sport. By the end of the course, you will be able to confidently sail to where you want to go, turn the board around and get back to shore whilst knowing how to always remain safe. With a bit more practice following the course you’ll soon start to feel very comfortable afloat.
Course date: Saturday 14th- Sunday 15th September 2024, 09:30am -16:30pm
Open to BYC members (£158) and non-members (£179) plus a non-refundable administrative charge of £1.50 per transaction.
Windsurfing – learn more and book your place >
RYA Start Wingsurfing Course
Wingsurfing is one of the latest watersports to take to the waves. Unlike windsurfing, the wing isn’t attached to the board, but controlled by your hands while you stand on a board which has a foil – so you can ‘fly’.
This course is the first in the RYA Wing Scheme, providing a basic introduction to winging and is split into two parts; flying the wing ashore, and getting afloat.
Together these sessions provide the fundamentals of wing control, translating its power into forward momentum and steering, whilst reinforcing the core skills of board balance to enable you to travel across the wind a short distance, gybe and return to starting point.
One-day Courses:
Saturday 19th October 2024, 09:00-13.00
or Sunday 20th October 2024, 9:00-13:00
Open to BYC members (£50) and non-members (£55) plus a non-refundable administrative charge of £1.50 per transaction.
Wingsurfing – learn more and book your place >
Powerboating
RYA Powerboat Level 2 Course
RYA Powerboat Level 2 CourseFancy learning to powerboat? This course is not just for powerboat owners, but it’s great for crew as participants learn how to safely plan and prepare for time on the water as well as gaining the skills and confidence to operate a boat.
Having these skills also opens the door for you to get involved in rescue boat and race management at Ballyholme Yacht Club or other clubs and watersports organisations.
After completing the course you will be self-sufficient in handling a powerboat in the right conditions, aware of your own limitations and those of your craft. The RYA Powerboat Level 2 certification is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence.
Minimum age to attend course is 12 and under 17s will receive an endorsed certificate. No prior experience or certification is required to do this course.
Classroom and practical 2-day course.
Course Dates:
Saturday 7th- Sunday 8th September, 9:30am – 5:00pm [SOLD OUT]
Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th September 2024, 9:30am – 5:00pm
Saturday 21st- Sunday 22nd September 2024, 9:30am – 5:00pm
Saturday 28th- Sunday 29th September 2024, 9:30am – 5:00pm
Open to members (£190) and non-members (£225) plus a non-refundable administrative charge of £1.50 per transaction.