Sail Training Spring 2024
12/03/24 Both courses are now full.
We are offering two separate courses this year just after Easter:
Beginners
RYA Junior Stages 1-2 / Adult Level 1
Improvers
RYA Junior Stages 2-3 / Adult Level 2
- 10 places are available on each course. Youngsters should be at least 10 years old.
- An on-screen introductory session will give beginners practical advice before the course.
- Sessions afloat will take place on a mixture of Saturdays and Sundays. Times vary because of tides (see table below).
- We will mostly be using 2-handers (Argos, Wayfarers, Fevas) for the Improvers course and single-handers (Toppers & Qubas) for the Beginners course.
- The training fleet will be supervised by a RYA Senior Instructor.
- In the event of a no-sail we will work ashore on theory and practical tasks. If sessions have to be shortened youngsters’ families will be contacted.
- You must be a member of DYC before you start your training course. You’ll have to pay your club membership fee AND the sailing course fee. You can take out temporary membership of DYC for £35 OR a full year’s membership – see the Join Us page for details.
- Cost for the course is £110 per person. This includes boat use, support boat cover, instruction afloat & ashore, RYA books and certification, insurance, loan of buoyancy aid.
Course Programme
| Date | Session | Start | Finish | High Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 4 Apr tbc | Improvers Introduction (Zoom) | 19:30 | 20:00 | – |
| Thu 25 Apr tbc | Beginners Introduction (Zoom) | 19:30 | 20:15 | – |
| Sun 14 Apr | Improvers 1 | 14:00 | 18:15 | 17:06 |
| Sun 28 Apr | Improvers 2 | 13:00 | 17:15 | 15:53 |
| Sat 4 May | Improvers 3 & 4 Down River Day | 10:30 | 19:00 | 09:42 / 22:08 |
| Sun 12 May | Beginners 1 | 13:00 | 17:15 | 16:04 |
| Sun 19 May | Beginners 2 | 09:00 | 12:15 | 10:27 |
| Sun 2 Jun | Beginners 3 | 17:30 | 21:00 | 21:31 |
| Sat 8 Jun | Beginners 4 | 11:30 | 15:45 | 14:28 |
Equipment Checklist
- Warm clothes that are OK to get wet; hat & gloves/mittens
- Several thin layers or wetsuit & layers
- Water- & wind-proof jacket and trousers (or spraysuit)
- Buoyancy aid (we advise you to buy your own but you can borrow one from us)
- Wetsuit boots or other suitable footwear like old trainers (not garden wellies)
- Towel and change of clothes
- Your LOGBOOK if you have done a previous course
Cancellation Policy
- In the event of a ‘no sail’ being declared for an individual session we will cover elements of theory and undertake practical activities on land so trainees will still gain valuable experience and practice. In the event of DYC having to cancel any sailing sessions before the date of the sessions we will refund an appropriate fraction of the course fee. In the event of DYC having to cancel the course your course fee will be refunded in full.
- If applicants have to miss individual sessions unfortunately we will not be able to arrange a refund. In the event of an applicant having to cancel their application for the course we will endeavour to find a new applicant. If successful, a refund will be arranged.
- We will always try to be flexible if people’s circumstances change so individual cases will be looked at on their merits.
Steve Scholey
Chief Instructor (dinghy sailing), DYC
January 2024