Youth Dinghy Training
RYA Youth 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 advanded 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 Youth 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, and all take place in a range of appropriate boats.
For younger sailors, the Optibat or Oppie (the rotomoulded variant of the the Optimist) is a sprit rigged single-handed dinghy and at just under 8 foot long it suits sailors aged 6-14, 25-45kg. It is an excellent boat for the young beginner due to its simplicity and durability but still retains all the performance and components needed to effecively teach the basics of sailing. For older juniors the Topper is an 11 foot single-handed sailing dinghy. Constructed from polypropylene, it is lightweight and robust making it ideal as a training boat for sailors aged 11+, 40-60kg. It has all the performance and components needed to effecively teach the all the elements of single-handed sailing. The Topper is raced at SSSC as a Youth class boat. For instructor demos the Mirror is an 11 foot sailing dinghy, that is of either fibreglass or wood construction with either a gaff or bermudan rig. It is a small robust boat with all the performance and components to make it ideal for young sailors learning to helm or crew a double-handed boat. The Mirror is raced at SSSC as a Youth class boat.
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 YSS Stage 1
The aim of Stage 1 is to give young people the perfect introduction to sailing by; giving them a basic understanding of how a boat sails, some experience of steering and handling the boat and maximised water time. There is a little associated theory but tuition is delivered in a fun and efficient style. The course gives young people the opportunity of learning in single-handed dinghies best suited to their age.
RYA YSS Stage 2
The aim of Stage 2 is to give young people the perfect introduction to sailing giving a basic understanding of how a boat sails, with some experience of steering and handling the boat with maximised water time, there is a little associated theory tuition delivered in a fun and efficient style. As with stage 1, the course gives young people the opportunity of learning in single-handed dinghies best suited to their age.
RYA YSS Stage 3
The aim of Stage 3 is to build confidence in in a range of sailing techniques on all points of sail and capsize recovery, and develop the skills needed to sail in all directions, and around a simple course, in moderate conditions. The course also focuses on improved rigging techniques, sailing theory, launching and recovery, in single-handed dinghies suited to their age.
RYA YSS Stage 4
The aim of Stage 4 is to support young sailors as they learn how to sail a double-handed boat as crew or helm and solve a variety of problems afloat, including enhance rigging, launching, recovery and practical skills to recover a man overboard.
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Last updated 19:37 on 23 April 2024