Sailing
Taster Sessions
Come and try sailing! If you're part of a group, see our Groups page to see what you can achieve.
Beginner Courses
You've decided that sailing is for you. Work your way through the Youth or Adult courses.
Advanced Modules
Want to learn more? Choose one of the advanced modules to suit your sailing interests.
Taster Sessions
General information
We have a range of dinghies, 7 Oppies, 1 Tera, 13 Toppers, 12 Laser Picos with jibs, 3 RS Fevas , 3 Laser Bahias with furling jibs and spinnakers and a Wayfarer with jib or genoa.
All participants will be given tuition by our qualified instructors using techniques established by the RYA.
What will you learn?
Course content - see below.
Session recommendations
Under 8 years old -
Evening or half day. They will be in small boats that are unlikely to capsize.
Over 8 years old -
Evening, full day or 2 day courses. They will be in single handed and/or double handed boats, dependant on size.
Beginner Courses
All courses are 2 days (or equivalent sessions). Youth courses start at age 9+. Adult courses start at age 16+.
To make the most of our courses, ensure you are confident with the skills of one course before moving on to the next course. If you're a bit rusty, you may be asked to return for an extra day of training before being fully signed off.
Sailing is a sport which gets better with practice, and you should try to sail between courses whenever you can. Practice makes perfect!
Youth Stage 1
A basic understanding of how a boat sails, with experience of steering and handling the boat.
Youth Stage 2
A range of sailing skills and knowledge to help you become a confident sailor.
Youth Stage 3
Rigging, launching and sailing in any direction. Equivalent to Adult Level 2.
Youth Stage 4
Sail a double handed boat as crew and helm, and solve a variety of problems afloat.
Adult Level 1
Start Sailing
Introducing you to sailing with all you need to know to get afloat under supervision.
Adult Level 2
Basic Skills
Setting out the foundations of sailing for you to make confident decisions.
Adult Level 3
Better Sailing
Enhance your skills with a range of tasters from the modules.
Advanced Modules
Advanced Module courses are 2 days.
Generally, you will be ready for these courses if you have completed Youth Stage 3 or 4, or Adult Level 2, and have had some practice too.
Seamanship Skills
How to handle a boat in all circumstances and solve problems afloat.
Sailing with Spinnakers
Everything you need to know about sailing with conventional or asymmetric spinnakers.
Performance Sailing
Improve your boat handling and confidence in performance dinghies.
Start Racing
All the information and skills you need to get you round the race track.
Intermediate Racing
Working on your speed around the course and using the rules to your advantage.
Assistant Instructor
A centre-specific certificate, awarded by the training centre and valid for five years. You will be able to teach up to Youth Stage 3 or Adult Level 2 under the supervision of a Senior Instructor.
Dinghy Instructor
A 5 day course learning teaching techniques afloat and ashore. You will be able to teach Youth Stages, Adult Levels, Seamanship Skills, Sailing with Spinnakers and Day Sailing (if suitably experienced).