RYA Onboard

We’re an OnBoard Club!!

RYA OnBoard offers young people the opportunity to try out sailing through their local club in a safe, structured and fun environment. Open to anyone aged 8-18, the DYC OnBoard programme is aimed at complete novices and those who want to learn the basics of how to sail a dinghy. It will enable those taking part to experience all the excitement and relaxation that being on the water offers, whilst at the same time teaching them a wide range of invaluable life skills, from problem solving to leadership and teamwork.

This year (2025) we will be running an OnBoard programme comprised of six OnBoard sessions for Beginners and Improvers, fortnightly on Friday evenings between mid-May and mid-July (see Programme Card for dates). To accommodate the tides, timings vary: the first three sessions will run from 6 – 9pm, the next two from 5 – 8pm and the last one from 4 – 7pm. Onboard is free for club members. There will be a small charge of £30 for non-members which is refunded if participants decide to join the Club: Cadet membership is £40 for the year.

Membership entitles them to join in any of the Club’s activities, including the Club Sailing OnBoard sessions, our leisure sailing flotillas (when accompanied by an experienced sailor), our dinghy racing and our annual Regatta in August. Membership also entitles young people to use the Clubs’ boats (Toppers, Qubas, Fevas, Argos, Lasers and Wayfarers) free of charge at club events and to participate in the Club’s training courses (separate charge), through which they can achieve RYA certificates.

To maximise learning we are limiting the number of places available on the OnBoard programme to 12.

For further information please contact Graham Seabrook via email to onboard@debenyachtclub.org.uk.