Adult Dinghy Training
RYA National Sailing Scheme
At SSSC we offer sailing dinghy training to the RYA syllabus to maximise the enjoyment and safety of sailing over the achievement of the highest possible sailing performance. However the club is blessed with a highly skilled sailing membership including several past national and world champions that will gladly offer tips and advice to the more advanced sailors.
We are an RYA Recognised Training Centre and therefore have the facilities, equipment and team of qualified Assistant Instructors, Dinghy Instructors and Senior Instructors to enable us to deliver courses on the National Sailing Scheme for both single and double handed sailing dinghies, breaking down the skills required for competent and confident sailing into specific levels.
All our courses are a combination of classroom, onshore practical, and on-the-water sessions, and are delivered by qualified instructors, overseen by an RYA Senior Instructor. All sessions are delivered in boats which are large enough to allow an instructor to be in the boat with you, namely a GP14 or an RS Quest. The GP 14 (General Purpose 14-foot dinghy) can be cruised, raced, rowed or even powered by a small outboard motor. As a training boat it is stable and large enough to accommodate an instructor and two students. The GP14 is raced as a two person adult class at SSSC. This option is best for those who take a more considered approach to learning and like to understand the theory. The RS Quest is a modern polyethylene 14 foot sailing dinghy that can be comfortably sailed with 2 but large enough to accommodate up to 5. It is ideally suited to training due to its roominess and stability and has recently been introduced into the club but specifically as a training boat only.
The RYA sailing courses we offer are summarised below. Specific details of upcoming courses can be found on our Learn to Sail page, and can be booked via the Book Online page.
RYA Level 1 - Start Sailing
The aim of Level 1 is to give students a basic understanding of sailing, its terminology, develop the ability to dress appropriately, rig, launch, sail and turn in all directions, right a capsize, recover and derig a boat, all through relaxed tuition for the purpose of safe and enjoyable recreational sailing. The course offers students the opportunity of learning in doublehanded dinghies. To book please find your preferred course on the calendar or book online tab and buy the appropriate ticket/s.
RYA Level 2 - Basic Skills
The aim of Level 2 is to give students basic sailing skills and knowledge required to enjoy recreational sailing safely without additional input from an instructor, all through relaxed tuition. The course offers students the opportunity of learning in single-handed dinghies or double-handed dinghies. Although the courses will run alongside each other the differences in teaching methods means that some sessions will take place separately.
For anyone wishing to progress as a single-handed sailor, we can also use a single-handed boat called a Topper. The Topper is an 11 foot sailing dinghy, constructed from polypropylene, meaning it is lightweight, robust and making it ideal as a training boat. The Topper is raced at SSSC as a Youth class boat. This option is best for those with a good level of mobility & fitness, who learn by doing and are confident on (or in!) water.
RYA Level 3 - Better Sailing
The aim of Level 3 is to practice the skills learned in Levels 1 and 2 to firmly embed them and with coaching make the procedures smoother and more efficient. In addition the course aims to explain the finer points of rig and boat trim, and some sailing techniques from the advanced modules such as sailing with spinnakers, racing and seamanship skills. Although many techniques apply to single-handed dinghies this course is more suited to double-handed dinghies.
The GP14 (General Purpose 14-foot dinghy) is the preferred dinghy for this course as it offers more room and relative stability, useful when learning new techniques. In addition it has a very strong association, hosting national and international events, and is one of the permitted classes sailed at SSSC, raced as a two person adult class.
Seamanship Skills inc Spinnaker Training
The aim of the Seamanship Skills Course is is to develop the skills learned in RYS NSS Levels 1, 2 and 3 and introduce further exercises and techniques such as use of spinnakers (symmetric and asymmetric) to create sailors capable of handling a boat in a seamanlike manner and making seamanlike decisions in a broad range of situations and conditions. Although many techniques apply to single-handed dinghies this course is more suited to double-handed dinghies.
We utilise a variety of club training dinghies for this course as it provides a wider range of experience for both helming and crewing, useful when learning new techniques.
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Last updated 19:37 on 23 April 2024