Junior Courses
At Datchet Water Sailing Club we offer junior dinghy tuition for ages 7 to 15, for all abilities. Whether your child has never stepped in a boat before or has years of sailing behind them, there is something available. Our professional team of Instructors are all RYA qualified and courses are taught through a variety of fun sessions, exercises, and games, both on water and on land depending on the group and weather conditions.
If you any questions please don't hesitate to contact us on 01753 683872 or email sailing@dwsc.co.uk
Beginner & Improver Sailing RYA Stage 1 and Stage 2.
Learn to sail, improve skills and confidence on the water. A course for juniors who have either no previous sailing experience or have completed Stage 1. The course follows the RYA Youth Sailing Syllabus and works towards either Stage 1 or 2, whichever is most appropriate for your child. They will learn how to rig, launch & land, how to steer & basic boat handling, ropework, capsize drills and understand the basic principles of sailing. Teaching takes place on the water, on land and in the classroom depending on the group and weather conditions.
The Youth Sailing Scheme logbook is included in the course price as is the certificate however this is not guaranteed unless the course is successfully completed. Boat, wetsuit, spray top & buoyancy aid hire is also included.
Holiday courses.
Duration: 5 day Course.
Time: Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 16:30 during the Summer holidays.
Pre-course requirements: No prior experience required or RYA Stage1, age 7 to 15.
Price: £395
Duration: 3 Day Course.
The course combines on-the-water practice, land-based activities, and classroom sessions, with lessons tailored to the group and weather conditions.
It draws on the RYA Youth Sailing Syllabus to help bridge the gap between Stages 2 & 3 and 3 & 4, giving young sailors more time on the water to build confidence, develop their skills, and become safe, capable sailors with the best chance of passing their next stage.
Time: Tuesday to Thursday from 09:30 to 16:30, Easter Holidays, May Half Term and October Half Term
Pre-Course Requirement: For stage 1 - you must be able to swim 25m or RYA Stage1 if working towards stage 2, age 7 to 15.
Price: £250
Check availability & book now
Saturday Sailing Club Term Time
Saturday Sailing Club offers juniors aged 715 the chance to build confidence, develop skills, and enjoy plenty of time on the water. Through a mix of on-water practice, land-based activities, and classroom sessions, sailors work towards their next RYA Stage in a safe and supportive setting.
Boat hire, wetsuit, spray top & buoyancy aid hire is included.
Duration: 6 Saturday mornings.
Time: Saturday 09:30 to 12:30. Spring, Summer and Autumn terms.
Price: £250
Check availability & book now
Intermediate Sailing RYA Stage 3 and Stage 4
A course for juniors, who have completed either RYA Stage 2 or 3, to take their sailing to the next level. The course follows the RYA Youth Sailing Syllabus and works towards either Stage 3 or 4, whichever is most appropriate for your child. They will learn to sail a dinghy around a triangular course in moderate conditions using all of the 5 essentials, manoeuvres such as coming alongside and man overboard drills and how to avoid collisions. Teaching takes place on the water, on land and in the classroom depending on the group and weather conditions.
The certificate is included in the course price however this is not guaranteed unless the course is successfully completed. Boat, wetsuit, spray top & buoyancy aid hire is also included.
Holiday courses.
Duration: 5 day courses.
Time: Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 16:30 during Summer holidays.
Pre-course requirements: RYA Stage 2 or 3, age 7 to 15.
Price: £395
Duration: 3 Day Course. (Working towards Stage 3 or Stage 4)
The course combines on-the-water practice, land-based activities, and classroom sessions, with lessons tailored to the group and weather conditions.
It draws on the RYA Youth Sailing Syllabus to help bridge the gap between Stages 2 & 3 and 3 & 4, giving young sailors more time on the water to build confidence, develop their skills, and become safe, capable sailors with the best chance of passing their next stage.
Time: Tuesday to Thursday from 09:30 to 16:30, Easter Holidays, May Half Term and October Half Term
Pre-Course Requirement: RYA Stage 2 or 3, age 7 to 15.
Price: £250
Check availability & book now
Advanced Sailing RYA Advanced Modules
Learn to sail with spinnakers, improve seamanship skills or start racing. This course follows the RYA Advanced Modules and works towards one of the certificates each week. It covers a range of skills depending on the week that is booked, from sailing backwards to rigging spinnakers and startline tactics. Teaching takes place on the water, on land and in the classroom depending on the group and weather conditions.
The certificate is included in the course price however this is not guaranteed unless the course is successfully completed. Boat, wetsuit, spray top & buoyancy aid hire is also included.
Holiday courses.
Duration: 5 days.
Time: Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 16:30 during Summer holidays.
Pre-course requirements: RYA Stage 4, age 10+.
Price: £395
Check availability & book now
20 Knot Squad
Inspiring the Next Generation of Sailors
Datchet Water Sailing Club is proud to be both an RYA Talent Academy and an RYA Pathway Recognised Club. Our exciting 20 Knot Squad program offers junior sailors the opportunity to develop their sailing and racing skills, nurturing a passion for sailing from the grassroots level and providing a clear pathway into the British Youth Sailing Squads.
The 20kt Squad welcomes young sailors who have achieved their RYA Stage 3 and are eager to take their sailing to the next level. Each term includes six Sunday sessions focused on racing skills and performance development, with coaching tailored to suit every ability — from those new to racing to more advanced sailors.
Sailors also have the chance to represent the squad at events throughout the year — a fantastic way to gain experience, meet like-minded friends, and enjoy regular time on the water.
After completing each term, we encourage our sailors to keep building their confidence and race experience by joining our weekly Sunday Racing (all year) and Wednesday Evening Racing (Summer), open to all club members.
Youth Events
We warmly encourage all our young sailors to take part in the following club and regional events — a great way to put your skills into action and have fun on the racecourse!
Upcoming events include:
- Brunel Badger 31st January & 1st February (ages 14 and above)
- Sunday Morning Club Racing Every Sunday
- Wednesday Evening Racing includes the popular Summer Solstice BBQ!
- Club Championships & Junior Open Event
- Topper Fleet Championships
- Datchet Flyer Open to all
(Click the links for more details and event dates.)
Parents Get Involved!
We love to see parents getting involved and becoming part of our sailing community. There are many ways to contribute — from joining the race officer team to developing your skills as a safety coxswain to support club racing and events. Your involvement not only enhances our community but also helps create an even better environment for your young sailors to thrive.
Lead Race Coach: Emma Bancroft
Contact Sailing@dwsc.co.uk
Duration: 3-hour sessions, across 6 Sundays (Spring, Autumn & Summer). Sessions are paid for as a block and cannot be bought individually.
Time: 09.30 to 12.30
Pre-course requirements: Either an RYA stage 3 certificate or equivalent experience and DWSC membership.
Price: £250 with club boat hire. £150 with your own boat.
Check availability & book now
Datchet Jets
Datchet Jets is for anyone who has completed stage 3 and above and would like to continue to develop their sailing skills. This group will balance fun and learning; with the main focuses being basic racing principles and enjoying their time on the water. Sailors will develop old and learn new skills to help them form a solid foundation of racing knowledge which can then be built on in the future.
Duration: 3-hour sessions, across 6 Saturdays. Sessions are paid for as a block and cannot be bought individually.
Time: Saturday from 13:30 to 16:30 in Spring, Summer & Autumn terms.
Pre-course requirements: RYA Stage 3 or equivalent and DWSC membership.
Price: £250 with club boat hire. £150 with your own boat.
Check availability & book now
Private tuition
From beginner to expert, personal tuition is one of the most effective ways to develop your skills and get results. Available in 2-hour sessions our instructors will help you work on the things you want to improve at your pace.
Duration: 2-hours
Time: Please complete the enquiry form to arrange a suitable time.
Price: £100 non-member 1:2:1 tuition, £80 member 1:2:1 tuition, additional students are charged at £30 per person.
Private tuition is available in club boats for members however boat hire is not included in the cost.
To book please fill out an enquiry form. Let us know what you'd like to achieve and we will contact you with availability.
Last updated 15:01 on 21 January 2026