Training for children and young people aged 8-16 is provided through seasonal Friday Night Sailing and through the annual Junior Sailing Camp.
Friday Night Sailing takes place every Friday evening from late April until early September (6pm to 9pm daylight hours allowing). Young people of any or no experience or ability are welcome. We aim to be welcoming and inclusive. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal with an emphasis on having fun on the water, whilst learning sailing skills. For more experienced sailors there is also an opportunity to develop racing skills in an unpressured environment.
An RYA Senior Instructor is present at all sessions to provide structure to the learning. Other volunteer RYA instructors and safety boat operators are present at every session.
The attendance of a parent or responsible adult is required with each attending child. Their attendance allows them to help with getting out and putting away boats each session. They also take responsibility for the welfare and behaviour of the participant when they are not sailing. This allows club volunteers to focus fully on teaching sailing skills and attending to participant safety whilst on the water.
Whilst the learning is informal, the activities are structured to ensure participant safety at all times. Instructors have in mind the framework of the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme, and seek to ensure that participants progress through the levels as described in that scheme.
Junior Training Camp takes place over a long weekend at the end of July each year. Participants and volunteers camp at the club. Parents generally do not attend unless as camp volunteer assistants. Sailing activities take place every day. Learning is focussed on the development of participants’ skills within the framework of the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme. Although there is a fun atmosphere, there is a more structured approach to learning and skills development.
