Training at Bowmoor

Dinghy Sailing Courses

RYA Level 1 Start Sailing	Click here for course dates
RYA Level 2 Basic Skills
RYA Start Racing
RYA Sailing with Spinnakers
RYA Performance Sailing
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme

RYA Level 1 Start Sailing

This is an introduction to sailing. It covers the minimum knowledge required to get afloat under supervision. It will give you a basic understanding of techniques to handle dinghys as well as some background knowledge.

Suggested experience:	None
Assumed knowledge:	None.
Course content:	The course shows you how to sail in all directions. It also covers the launching and recovery of your dinghy.
Ability after course:	You should be able to sail in light winds under supervision.
Typical duration:	Two days (but this is a minimum).

RYA Level 2 Basic Skills

This course is intended to make you a competent sailor in light winds. The course will introduce sailing techniques and manoeuvres, rigging, launching, safety, capsize recovery and basic rules of the road.

Suggested experience:	None
Assumed knowledge:	Knowledge to Level 1 standard.
Course content:	The course goes beyond just sailing in all directions and covers rigging and launching as well. Safety is covered in general together with how to recover various boats that have capsized.
Ability after course:	You should be able to sail in a range of conditions without supervision. You will be able to decide if it is safe to sail and be able to recover a capsized dinghy.
Typical duration:	Two days. The course may be 4 or 5 days if the Level 1 material is covered in the course as well).

RYA Start Racing

To enjoy club racing, you first of all need to have some basic understanding of what to expect. The course covers everything you need to know to get round the course and have the confidence, skills and knowledge to take part.

Suggested experience:	Has some sailing experience.
Assumed knowledge:	Hold a Level 2 Certificate or demonstrate equivalent knowledge.
Course content:	The course will give you the skills needed to enjoy club racing. It will cover how to maximise boat speed, tactics and how racing differs from casual sailing.
Ability after course:	You will be able to take part in club sailing with the necessary confidence
Typical duration:	Two days

RYA Sailing with Spinnakers

This course looks at sailing modern three-sail boats. Boats typically have an asymmetric spinnaker or symmetric spinnaker. The course looks at the different skills required.

Suggested experience:	Has some sailing experience.
Assumed knowledge:	Hold a Level 2 Certificate or demonstrate equivalent knowledge.
Course content:	The course will show how to rig the boat, gybe and recover one type of spinnaker, either asymmetric or symmetric. Sailing downwind is a particular challenge in spinnaker boats, so the course looks at the best routes downwind.
Ability after course:	You will be able to use one type of spinnaker, asymmetric or symmetric.
Typical duration:	Two days

RYA Performance Sailing

Improve your boat handling and confidence in performance boats, sailing the boat to best advantage at all times. This course is intended primarily for two-person spinnaker boats. However, it may be delivered in performance single-handers.

Suggested experience:	Has sailed for at least one season following Level 2 Course.
Assumed knowledge:	Hold a Level 2 Certificate or demonstrate equivalent knowledge.
Course content:	The course is intended to coaching you to improve your sailing, primarily in two person boats with spinnakers.
Ability after course:	You will be able to sail faster and more efficiently in all conditions.
Typical duration:	Two days

RYA Youth Sailing Scheme

The RYA Youth Sailing Scheme provides a series of courses, where instructors sign off each skill as you complete it.

The Youth Scheme is usually completed in small dinghies suitable for your size, and you will learn to sail well very quickly. There is provision for you to receive help during your course depending on the conditions and what you have to do. For example, you may receive help when more strength is required, eg pulling a boat up a steep, slippery slipway.

Most courses are a minimum of two days long (or an equivalent number of short sessions). They may be run over a longer period, so you will have a chance to sail and practice between sessions.

Stages 1 to 3 of the Youth Scheme are very similar to the Level 1 and Level 2 courses described above.

After the Stage 3 course you can take the advanced modules of the National Sailing Scheme or Stage 4. These courses will extend your skills such as seamanship, racing, cruising, using spinnakers and high-performance sailing.

Please refer to the RYA Website for more details on the Youth Sailing Scheme