Your journey to progression
Sailing pathways for all stages & ages
Our friendly team is here to help you learn to sail, with courses on offer for all ages and abilities. All of our locations are RYA (Royal Yachting Association) recognised training centres, which means that we also help you to work towards your RYA qualifications.
Youth sailing pathways
Following the RYA sailing scheme, the youth pathway provides a guide for your children to take them from complete beginners through to seasoned pros. The first step in the scheme is to complete your “Stage” courses, you can then move on to the more advanced courses to hone your skill set.
Adult sailing pathways
The courses and qualifications in the adult sailing pathway follow the RYA sailing scheme. You will complete your “Level” qualifications before graduating into the “Advanced Modules”.
Sailing clubs for regular access
Our regular-participation clubs were created to provide a continuous and affordable opportunity for you to continue sailing in between taking your qualifications. Participants of all abilities and ages are welcome to join our community clubs to enjoy informal tuition, fun and games.
Yacht sailing pathways
Looking for something a bit different? You can always learn to sail a yacht through our not-for-profit Andrew Simpson Yachting. Start out on the RYA Start Yachting course. Find out more by heading to andrewsimpsonyachting.org
Pathways & progression
Youth sailing courses & pathways
RYA Stages 1 to 4 are the basis of sailing progression and can be gained both individually or through our week and weekend courses specially designed for different levels of sailing development.
Beginner
Start your sailing journey on one of our RYA Stage 1 & 2 courses, beginner sailing weeks or taster sessions. These will teach you the basics of sailing.
Sailing Taster
Ages 8+
Enjoy the feeling of cruising through the water and get some basic knowledge of how to steer and get afloat safely.
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RYA Stage 1
Ages 8+
This 2-day course is aimed at children with little or no experience of sailing who want to get confident in a boat.
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Intermediate
With the basics established, you can work through the RYA stages until you reach the advanced modules.
Advanced
Whether you want to learn to sail with spinnakers, master your seamanship skills or discover trapezing, now is the time to start looking at our advanced courses.
Advanced Sailing Week
Ages 8+
The week focuses on RYA Seamanship Skills, RYA Start Racing & RYA Sailing With Spinnakers.
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RYA Seamanship Skills
Ages 8+
This RYA Advanced Module covers your on boat handling skills such as person overboard recovery and more.
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RYA Sailing with Spinnakers
Ages 8+
From rigging to the hoist and drop, you will be mastering the kite after this exciting 2-day course.
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RYA Day Sailing
Ages 8+
Through this module, you will master passage planning and decision making for going on a day sail in a dinghy.
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Advanced: racing courses
Now that you are fully in control of your dinghy, let’s take a look at the wide world of racing. Work your way through the different courses to learn all about tactics, boat control and the different racing styles.
RYA Start Racing
Ages 8+
An intensive 2 days of beginner level race training, aimed at those with RYA Level 2and above.
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Beginner Race Training
Ages 8+
An intensive week of beginner level race training, aimed at those with RYA Stage 3 and above.
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Performance pathway
Looking to take the next step into the racing world? Our Performance Academy offers high quality training for class specific programmes. We help sailors transition into the world of competitive youth and junior sailing alongside providing performance coaching at all levels within the pathway. To find out more, get in touch with our team on [email protected]
Pathways & progression
Adult sailing courses & pathways
RYA Stages 1 to 4 are the basis of sailing progression and can be gained both individually or through our week and weekend courses specially designed for different levels of sailing development.
Beginner
RYA Level 1 and 2 are the first steps in learning to sail. You can then progress into the advanced sailing modules.
RYA Level 1
Adults only
Learn the basics in a 2-day introduction into sailing, with no experience needed.
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Intermediate
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Advanced
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RYA Seamanship Skills
Adults only
This module covers skills such as person overboard recovery, picking up a mooring and sailing backwards.
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RYA Sailing with Spinnakers
Adults only
From rigging to the hoist and drop, you will be mastering the kite after this exciting 2-day course.
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Regular sailing for all
Regular Participation Clubs
Our weekly community clubs were developed to increase the opportunities available to access the water regularly! Participate in these clubs, alongside taking your RYA qualifications, to have a well-rounded sailing education.
Youth sailing clubs
For ages 8 – 18, these informal clubs provide the opportunity to get on the water weekly.
Sailing Club
Ages 8+
Our regular-participation fun club for all abilities aged 8+. Novice sailors through to more experienced sailors are welcome to join our Sailing Club and enjoy some informal tuition, fun and games.
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Improver Sailing Club
Ages 8+
Relaxed, informal, social sailing sessions aimed at children who are Stage 3 and above to brush up on their skills in a fun and relaxed environment.
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Race Club
Ages 8+
Take the next step into the exciting world of racing. For children who are Stage 3 or equivalent experience.
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Improver Race Club
Ages 8+
Come and join our weekly Improver Race Club where you can develop your existing skills to become competent on the race course in a friendly and encouraging environment.
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Adult sailing clubs
For ages 18+, our instructors will help you to improve your skills on a weekly-basis, without the need to own your own boat!
For children & adults aged 12+
SailFoiling
Foiling is a method of sailing which uses a hydrofoil which allows your boat to rise out of the water. As one of the first training centres to offer foiling, we are experts in helping you to take your first flight! The courses take place in a variety of boats, including Lasers and RS Aero’s (both of which are adapted with Glide Free kits).
RYA First Flights
Ages 12+
This is the first course in the RYA SailFoil scheme, providing you with a basic introduction to foiling.
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RYA Sustained Flights
Ages 12+
Learn about the practical techniques and theory required to foil, steer and maintain a course effectively.
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For adults or those aged 16+
Sailing Instructor Pathway
Gaining your instructor qualification opens up doors into a lifelong maritime career. From 14 you can become an RYA Assistant Instructor. This will give you the foundation skills to become an instructor and allow you to volunteer and gain experience at your local centre. When you are 16 you can take your RYA Dinghy Instructor qualification and start to grow your skill set through further endorsements.
Before attending an RYA Dinghy Instructor course you will need the pre-requisite courses of First Aid, RYA Powerboat Level 2, and RYA Safe and Fun. You will then need to do a pre entry sailing assessment which assesses that your personal sailing ability is of the right standard to become an instructor.
RYA Assistant Dinghy Instructor
Ages 14+
The Assistant Instructor is trained to assist qualified instructors to teach beginners up to the standard of the National Sailing Scheme Level 2 and the Youth Sailing Scheme Stage 3.
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RYA Dinghy Instructor
Ages 16+
Become an RYA Dinghy Instructor and start a career inspiring and teaching the next generation. A 5-day course, you will learn and practice effective communication styles & teaching methods.
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RYA Advanced Sailing Instructor Endorsement
Ages 16+
The next step in your instructor career to enable you to teach the RYA Performance Sailing Syllabus. Over 2 days we teach you the ins and outs of working with performance boats and teaching techniques.
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RYA Multihull Instructor Endorsement
Ages 16+
Transfer your multi-hull skills into an instructor endorsement with this 2-day course meaning you can learn how to teach RYA courses in multi-hulls.
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Need help finding the right activity?
Speak to our Centre team or send them a message, outlining what you might be interested in and they will be able to recommend some courses or activities, or help create something bespoke.
Call our central team
Call us on +44 (0)300 124 0449, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. Outside of these hours you’re welcome to leave a message.
Send us an email
Drop us an email with your details at [email protected] and let us know how we can help. We aim to respond to emails the next working day.
Visit our Centres
You can pop in to your local Centre and speak to someone in person. Find your nearest Centre here.
