RYA Dinghy Instructor Course 2026: 1. Pre Assessment Booking  

We are delighted to offer the RYA Dinghy Instructor Course on the 29th June to 3rd July, with a pre-entry assessment on Saturday 16th May 2026. If you are not able to make the dates of the pre-assessment, please contact Ruth Owen to arrange an alternative date, or you can complete the pre-assessment elsewhere prior to the course. Please use this page to book the Pre-Assessment element of the course.

You are not required to book the full Dinghy Instructor Course at point of booking the Pre-Assessment. However please note that places on the Training Course will not be held for those who have booked the Pre-Assessment.

The Instructor training course comprises of three sections:

1. Course prerequisites
2. Pre-entry sailing assessment
3. Five-day training course

Eligibility for the Training Course

1. Minimum age 16
2. A valid RYA First Aid certificate, or other acceptable first aid qualification
3. RYA Safe & Fun online certificate
4. RYA Powerboat Leve 2 certificate
5. RYA membership
6. Pre-entry sailing assessment completed within one year prior to the Instructor training course

The National Sailing Scheme course can be taught in dinghies, keelboats or multihulls. Therefore instructors teaching the scheme must be qualified for the type of boat in which they will be teaching, i.e. only RYA Dinghy Instructors can teach in dinghies, and only RYA Keelboat Instructors can teach in keelboats. However, Dinghy Instructors can broaden their qualification to include keelboats and vice versa, with the Instructor certificate endorsed accordingly.

Instructor certificates are valid for five years from date of issue when supported by a valid first aid certificate. Certificates can be revalidated by completing the online revalidation form, accompanied by evidence of a minimum of 30 hours' teaching experience in an RYA Recognised Training Centre. 

The Training Course

During the course candidates will learn teaching techniques boat ashore and afloat. We will also cover:

1. The structure and content of the National Sailing Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme
2. Training in RYA teaching methods to the Seamanships Skills module
3. Instructing techniques for adults and children, and those with special needs
4. Preparation and presentation of a theory lesson
5. Short discussion/presentation
6. Preparation and use of visual aids
7. Assessment of students' abilities
8. The use of powered craft in a teaching environment
9. Safeguarding, child protection, health & safety and cold-water shock

For full course information, please refer to the RYA Instructor Handbook (G14).

Please see below for your cancellation rights for the Pre-Entry Assessment element of the Training Course.

Your cancellation rights: 

All cancellations must be in writing.

Cancellations notified more than 2 months before the start of the course 90% refund

Cancellations notified more than 1 month before the start of the course 50% refund

Cancellations notified less than 1 month before the start of the course no refund

Location: Norfolk Broads Yacht Club

Contact: