START SAILING STAGE 2
START SAILING STAGE 1
Our beginners course is ideal for any young sailor wishing to start their sailing career and gain the confidence on the water. Using the practical and sailing background knowledge outlined in Stage 1, beginner sailors will be introduced to the water and have a basic understanding of how a boat sails, experience steering and handling a dinghy and will understand the principles of stopping, controlling speed and going about (tacking). If the conditions allow they will also spend a day or two in fast and stable catamarans, which gets big smiles as they speed though the water.
Following on from Stage 1, confident sailors will be able to demonstrate a full range of skills in a small dinghy and will have the background knowledge to launch and recover their boat, sail around a shallow triangular course, attempt gybing (under the supervision of their instructor), understand the five essentials and experience a capsize drill. Sailors will also have the knowledge of rigging their own boat, will be able to identify the various parts of their boat and sail, get themselves dressed in the correct clothing for the weather conditions and have a basic understand of the rules of the road whilst out sailing.
For all young sailors ready to move up to an advanced level, the Stage 4 certificate means that you have the skill to sail a double-handed boat as a crew or helm, rig and launch in any wind direction, demonstrate the use of rig controls and reefing depending the wind conditions and can demonstrate the advanced sailing techniques and manoeuvres outlined in Stage 4.
It is highly recommended that all sailors are able to sail to a confident standard and have spent plenty of time on the water developing and demonstrating their skills required in stages 1, 2 and 3.
Following a more advanced set of skills, Stage 3 will give young sailors the confidence to rig and launch their own boat without direct assistance from their instructor, sail in any direction (demonstrating the use of the five essentials), sail around a triangular course, tack their boat upwind and demonstrate boat handling skills such as coming alongside a moored boat and picking up a mooring buoy.
As well as demonstrating the skills outlined in the course, sailors will also have the knowledge and experience to solve any minor problems that may occur on the water and act in a seamanship like manner. It is recommended that young sailors spend as much time out on the water as possible to practice their sailing skills and knowledge as a confident sailor before embarking on their Stage 4. After completing Stage 3 juniors are welcome to come to 20kt Squad Sessions.
START SAILING STAGE 4
START SAILING STAGE 3
With a team of fully qualified and experienced RYA instructors, Datchet Water is able to offer a full range of RYA Junior sailing courses following the National Youth Sailing Scheme and syllabus. As a Club, we are focused on developing the sailing skills and knowledge of our junior members and young people who are new to the sport of sailing.
We run RYA Stages 1 to 4 and all advanced modules during school term times as part of our Saturday Club and during week during school holidays and half terms.
SPINNAKER SKILLS
SEAMANSHIP SKILLS
START RACING
So now you've learnt the basics. You're quite comfortable on all points of sail, happy reefing when necessary and can sail back to a MOB.
That's great but what about sailing backwards? It's not as silly as it sounds, it's a classy way to get out of a tight corner. Also, have you ever tried steering without a rudder, just using the 5 (4!) essentials? Want to learn how?
These are some of the new topics on this advanced course.
You have got the sailing bug! There is only one remedy carry on. Now add the skills to cope with all eventualities.
The RYA Start Racing course is aimed at building the confidence of those sailors who have done the RYA Level 3 or RYA Stage 4. This course is an excellent introduction into racing and provides you with all the skills you will need in order to compete in racing events.
On completion of this course, the successful sailor will understand how to sail a dinghy rigged with asymmetric or symmetric spinnaker.It will be assumed that every student starting this course has already mastered the practical skills and absorbed the background knowledge required for Basic Skills Level 2.