First Experiences

Welcome to the Water for our Dolphins program – an exciting, family-led initiative supporting first-time experiences for our sailors every Friday evening!

This program is designed for children ages 6 and up. Whether your sailor has completed an RYA Course or you’re looking to try something new within the community there are many different options for you to choose from. Check out our cadets page for info on the programme.

Entering the Sport

RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Stages 1 & 2

Stage 1: Introduction to Sailing
This stage provides a basic understanding of how a boat sails, with hands-on experience of steering and handling the boat.

• Assumed Knowledge: None
• Duration: 5 days
• Age: 8 - 16

Course Content:

• Launching and recovery
• Steering and parts of the boat
• Rigging
• Rope work
• Sail controls, techniques & manoeuvres
• Rules of the road
• Meteorology
• Capsize recovery

Ability After the Course:

• Ability to steer and understand basic sailing principles, ability to tack, control boat speed, and understand core sailing principles

Course Outcome:

• RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Logbook – RYA Level 1 & RYA Level 2
  

Developing in the Sport

RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Stages 3 & 4

Stage 3 & 4 : Developing Advanced Sailing Skills + Becoming an Independent Sailor
At stage 3, you will refine your sailing abilities, learn to handle the boat with more confidence, and tackle a variety of sailing conditions. Stage 4 focuses on achieving a higher level of independence on the water, allowing you to sail confidently in various conditions and situations.

• Assumed Knowledge: Completion of Stage 1+2
• Duration: 5 days
• Age: 8 - 16

Course Content:

• Advanced sailing techniques
• Sailing in varying conditions
• Improving boat handling and control
• Rigging and de-rigging
• Introduction to racing
• Introduction to spinnakers and double handed boat handling
• Sailing in stronger winds
• Safety and emergency procedures

Ability After the Course:

• Ability to sail in a wider range of conditions, handle the boat confidently, and understand key sailing techniques, ability to sail independently, adjust to different weather conditions, and confidently execute more advanced sailing manoeuvres

Course Outcome:

• • RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Logbook – RYA Level 3 & 4

Intermediate Skills

The RYA Seamanship Skills course is designed to help you develop the essential skills needed for safe and efficient sailing, with a focus on handling the boat in a variety of situations and improving your confidence on the water.

• Assumed Knowledge: Basic sailing knowledge (equivalent to RYA Level 2 or similar)
• Minimum Duration: 2 days

Course Content:

• Man overboard recovery techniques
• Rope work and handling
• Anchoring and mooring
• Sailing in adverse conditions
• Weather forecasting and understanding
• Emergency procedures and safety drills

Ability After the Course:

• Ability to handle the boat effectively in different conditions
• Confidence in performing essential seamanship tasks
• Understanding of key safety protocols and techniques for managing emergency situations

Course Outcome:

• RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Logbook – Seamanship Skills Certificate

Progression in Doublehanded Pathways

RYA Sailing with Spinnakers Course

The RYA Sailing with Spinnakers course is designed to teach you the essential skills and techniques required to sail effectively with a spinnaker, enhancing your performance and confidence when sailing downwind.

• Assumed Knowledge: Completion of RYA Level 3 or 4
• Minimum Duration: 2 days

Course Content:

• Understanding the role and types of spinnakers
• Setting, trimming, and gybing the spinnaker
• Sailing with a spinnaker in varying wind conditions
• Handling the spinnaker in light and strong winds
• Recovering and packing the spinnaker
• Practical tips for improving performance with a spinnaker

Ability After the Course:

• Ability to confidently set, trim, and handle a spinnaker
• Improved downwind sailing skills
• Understanding of spinnaker tactics for performance and safety

Course Outcome:

• • RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Logbook – Sailing with Spinnakers Certificate

Entering Racing

RYA Start Racing Course

The RYA Start Racing course is designed to introduce you to the exciting world of racing, providing you with the essential skills and tactics needed to start racing confidently on the water.

• Assumed Knowledge: Completion of RYA Level 2 or Level 3
• Minimum Duration: 8 hours

Course Content:

• Introduction to racing rules and regulations
• Starting procedures and line handling
• Basic racing tactics, including mark rounding and boat positioning
• Understanding of race courses and race timing
• Handling boat speed and course adjustments during a race

Ability After the Course:

• Ability to participate in basic races
• Understanding of key racing tactics and rules
• Confidence in starting and racing a boat effectively

Course Outcome:

• RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Logbook – Start Racing Certificate

Developing Club Racing Confidence

RYA Club Racing Course

The RYA Club Racing course is designed for sailors who have mastered the basics and want to take their skills to the next level by getting involved in club racing. This course will teach you how to race effectively in a club setting, improve your tactics, and understand the racing rules in more depth.

• Assumed Knowledge: Completion of RYA Start Racing
• Minimum Duration: 8 hours

Course Content:

• In-depth understanding of racing rules and how they apply to club racing
• Race preparation, including rigging and boat checks
• Starting procedures and strategies
• Tactics for mark roundings, overtaking, and positioning during a race
• Understanding different race formats and courses
• How to manage boat speed and adjust to changing conditions during a race

Ability After the Course:

• Ability to race confidently in a club environment
• Improved race tactics, start techniques, and mark roundings
• Understanding of club racing rules and race strategies

Course Outcome:

• RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Logbook – Club Racing Certificate

Representing Your Club

RYA Regional Racing Course

The RYA Regional Racing course is designed for sailors who are ready to take their racing skills to a competitive regional level. This course will focus on advanced tactics, strategy, and techniques needed to compete in regional events, helping you develop the expertise to race against some of the best sailors in your area.

• Assumed Knowledge: Completion of RYA Club Racing
• Minimum Duration: 8 hours

Course Content:

• Developing starts, protecting space, pre start plans and signals
• Adapt to different boats
• Speed, can alter rig whilst racing
• Tactics, laylines, use of compass effectively, RRS, protests and penalties
• Developing a strategy

Ability After the Course:

• Ability to participate in and compete at regional-level races
• In-depth understanding of advanced racing strategies and race rules
• Enhanced ability to handle competitive racing environments and pressure

Course Outcome:

• RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Logbook – Regional Racing Certificate

Embracing the Racing Journey & Competing

RYA Championship Racing Course

The RYA Championship Racing course is a more personalised approach that requires less syllabus and more taking into consideration of the sailors needs and areas of development.

Assumed Knowledge: Completion of RYA Regional Racing

• Minimum Duration: 25 hours on the water
• Must be delivered by an RYA Race Coach Level 3

Course Content:

• Starts
• Boat Handling
• Speed
• Tactics
• Strategy

Ability After the Course:

• Ability to compete confidently at a championship level
• Mastering tactics, race strategy, and boat handling
• Enhanced focus, decision-making, and adaptability during high-pressure races

Course Outcome:

• RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Logbook – Championship Racing Certificate