Family Friendly Racing Sailing Club West of London with Excellent Training For Adults and Youth Sailors

Datchet Water Sailing Club

Queen Mother Reservoir Horton Road, Horton Berkshire SL3 9NT

Telephone +44 (O) 1753 683872

Email : sailing@dwsc.co.uk

 

RYA Youth Courses

 

With a team of fully qualified and experienced RYA instructors, Datchet Water is able to offer a full range of RYA Youth sailing courses following National Youth Sailing Scheme and syllabus.

 

As a Club, we are focused on developing the sailing skills and knowledge of our junior members and young people who are new to the sport of sailing.  

 

Following the RYA National Youth Sailing Scheme, we run regular courses from beginners who have never been out on the water in a boat before (RYA Stage 1) through to advanced skills (RYA Stage 4).  Using our team of fully qualified RYA instructors, will provide training in both a fun and safe environment with the focus on all youth sailors regularly attending Club events and our Junior Youth Squad (JYS).

 

RYA Stage 1

Following the practical skills and background sailing knowledge outlined in the Youth Sailing Scheme, our beginners course is ideal for any young sailor wishing to start their sailing career and gain the confidence on the water.

 

Using the practical and sailing background knowledge outlined in Stage 1, beginner sailors will be introduced to the water and have a basic understanding of how a boat sails, experience steering and handling a dinghy and will understand the principles of stopping, controlling speed and going about (tacking).

 

At the end of the course, beginner sailors will be ready to progress to Stage 2 of the Youth Sailing Scheme.

 

For Course Dates and Prices See Training Programme.

 

 

 

RYA Stage 2

Following on from Stage 1, confident sailors will be able to demonstrate a full range of skills in a small dinghy and will have the background knowledge to launch and recover their boat, sail around a shallow triangular course, attempt gybing (under the supervision of their instructor), understand the five essentials and experience a capsize drill.

 

Sailors will also have the knowledge of rigging their own boat, will be able to identify the various parts of their boat and sail, get themselves dressed in the correct clothing for the weather conditions and have a basic understand of the rules of the road whilst out sailing.

 

At the end of the course, young sailors will be well on their way to becoming a confident small boat sailor and after spending time practicing out on the water will be ready for their Stage 3.

 

For Course Dates and Prices See Training Programme.

 

RYA Stage 3

Confident young sailors who can sail to the standard and demonstrate the skills outlined in Stage 2 can benefit from the training delivered in Stage 3.  

 

Following a more advanced set of skills, Stage 3 will give young sailors the confidence to rig and launch their own boat without direct assistance from their instructor, sail in any direction (demonstrating the use of the five essentials), sail around a triangular course, tack their boat upwind and demonstrate boat handling skills such as coming alongside a moored boat and picking up a mooring buoy.

 

As well as demonstrating the skills outlined in the course, sailors will also have the knowledge and experience to solve any minor problems that may occur on the water and act in a seamanship like manner.  It is recommended that young sailors spend as much time out on the water as possible to practice their sailing skills and knowledge as a confident sailor before embarking on their Stage 4.

 

For Course Dates and Prices See Training Programme.

 

RYA Stage 4

For all young sailors ready to move up to an advanced level, the Stage 4 certificate means that you have the skill to sail a double-handed boat as a crew or helm, rig and launch in any wind direction, demonstrate the use of rig controls and reefing depending the wind conditions and can demonstrate the advanced sailing techniques and manoeuvres outlined in Stage 4.

 

It is highly recommended that all sailors are able to sail to a confident standard and have spent plenty of time on the water developing and demonstrating their skills required in stages 1, 2 and 3.  

 

At the end of this course, young sailors will be able to progress into the advanced modules of the RYA National Sailing Scheme and experience courses such as Sailing with Spinnakers, Performance Sailing and Start Racing.

 

For Course Dates and Prices See Training Programme.