Formal Training
Formal
training under the clubs RYA (Royal
Yachting Association) recognition, primarily targets
introducing people to the basic skills of sailing as well as
some further advanced courses.
The centre Principal is Tony Forster assisted by
Tim Bowden. They can be contacted via the web site on
training@shotwicksailing.org
What does RYA recognition mean?
It means that you can expect to be taught by an
experienced instructor aboard a seaworthy, safe, well maintained
and suitable craft, on courses within the RYA’s proven training
schemes at the supervision ratios defined by the RYA.
Qualifications earned on RYA courses are recognised and valued
in most parts of the world.
All the instructors are volunteers and have a
genuine interest and enthusiasm to pass on their knowledge and
skills to others.
The club is inspected regularly to ensure that
training craft and instructors meet the high standards of the
RYA. The RYA also carries out spot inspections during courses to
ensure the level of tuition and the condition of the equipment
remains consistently high over time.
The RYA is responsible for administering the
recognition system and ensuring standards of training are
maintained.
The club has RYA recognition for a number of
dinghy sailing and powerboat courses as detailed below.
Dinghy Sailing
The RYA’s National Sailing Scheme is a series of
courses for those wanting to learn in dinghies. It has been
designed to help you enjoy whichever aspect of the sport of
dinghy sailing appeals to you whether pottering, cruising or
racing.
We
run separate adult, junior and youth courses and these are
described below:
Junior & Youth Sailing
We organize junior & youth
beginner sessions in May, June and September each year. The
format, content and delivery follows the guidelines laid down by
the RYA.
The sessions
run over four evenings giving a total of 8 hours training. These
sessions are aimed at beginners and at the end of the sessions
the sailors should be able to sail in light winds. The sessions
are open to non-members and for sailors from the age of 8 years
upwards. We use our Optimist or Topper dinghies (depending on
age / weight).
At the end of the sessions if you wish to continue we ask that
you become members of the club (at very reasonable membership
fees) and move up to the improver group, you are able to borrow
a club boat for the improver sessions but preference will be
given to new beginners using the club boats so start to think at
that stage of obtaining your own boat. (Second hand Optimists
and Toppers are in the region of £300 to £700 and depreciate
very little)
In 2008 we
were awarded Volvo Champion Club status this is awarded in
recognition of the quality and accessibility of our Junior
Sailing Program. In addition to the ‘summer training’ we also
provide ‘winter training’ in conjunction with the Welsh Yachting
Association. This runs in January, February & March since club
racing and open events generally run March to December.
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