RYA Youth Sailing Courses Easter and Halfterm  

At Draycote Water we offer all 4 stages of the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme over the May half term and Easter holidays.

Click here for Summer holiday courses

These courses are a fun and exciting way to try out and get into sailing. We provide enthusiastic and very skilled instructors to run these courses in a safe and professional manor while still ensuring the students have fun along the way.

RYA Junior Courses Stages / Syllabus:

Stage 1

An introductory course to sailing, giving initial experience and confidence to get out on the water taking control of the boat and sails and to gain an understanding of the principles of sailing.

Stage 2

By the end of the stage 2 course you will have a greater knowledge and understanding of sailing allowing you to take a boat out in sheltered water in light winds.

Stage 3

Having completed stage 2 you are now ready for the next challenge, stage 3 teaches you how to sail in any direction and in stronger winds than you would have encountered in stage 2. You also gain the knowledge and time in a boat to call yourself a sailor rather than a beginner.

Stage 4

In stage 4 you take the progression into double handed boats, you practice the same skills as in stage 3 but with the addition of having a more powerful boat, a crew and the different techniques that apply to these boats.

(Stages must be completed before progressing on to the next one. If your child attended a course and hasn't sailed for some time, we recommend a Refresher Day before they attend the next course, to make sure they've remembered all the skills.)

After the course, there is the option to take out a 3 month temporary membership which enables your child to sail at anytime, hire boats, and attend our weekly Youth & Junior groups which are the ideal way to continue practicing their new skills and having fun on the water.

Useful Information

There is a minimum age of 8 years old and those aged 16+ should take our adult courses.

Participants must be confident in deep water (but don't have to be strong swimmers).

You do NOT have to be a member of the club.

We highly recommend you try sailing first with a taster session.

We will provide each person with a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and a helmet (and a certificate where applicable). New sailors will be given a logbook.

What you need to bring:

1. Swim wear for underneath the wet suit
2. Footwear that will get wet, such as trainers, or wet suit shoes are available to purchase from the shop
3. Hat (sunhat for shade protection or a winter hat for warmth) / gloves
4. Towel
5. Sun cream and sun glasses are recommended throughout the year
6. Packed lunch & drinks

Shower facilities, changing rooms and lockers (require a returnable £1 coin) are available.

Please arrive 5 minutes before the session start time at the Waterside Reception (front of the Clubhouse).

ANPR Monitoring (parking)

The site is now monitored by ANPR cameras but Sailing Club members, students and guests are exempt by following the procedure below...

1. Parking is only in the lower car park only, first on your right sign posted 'Sailing Club' and 'Draycote Water Sailing Club'
2. Each day of your course or visit you need to register your number plate by using a tablet.
3. There will be tablet consoles for you to enter your registration plate in the upstairs foyer by the office, next to the signing-on sheets(lower door) and inside the waterside reception.
4. You can register at any point during your visit.
5. You only need to register once per day even if you leave and attend site more than once.

Location: Draycote Water Sailing Club

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