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Sailing is a great sport for kids!  As well as getting them into the fresh air, it teaches them self reliance, water confidence, team work and so much more. 

Here at Hunts SC we follow the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme which has four stages, each one building on the last and leading to their own certificate, so they can see themselves making progress. Hunts Sailing Club is a RYA Recognised Training Centre and this enables us to run RYA courses and issue certificates.

But that's not all; the process is also intended to be one of continous assessment, so if a child achieves a skill from the next level up they can have it signed off by their instructor, even though it may be part of the next Stage. Once all components of a Stage have been signed off, a prestigious RYA certificate is awarded!

RYA Stage 1 and 2 courses

For complete beginners, these stages introduce the basics of steering, launching, tacking, controlling speed and avoiding collisions. Children might typically sail optimists or toppers at this level. We prefer to combine these stages so that children gain a good grasp of sailing skills on which they can then build under supervision by either parents or instructors.

Back on the Water

Weekday sessions in April for those who have not sailed over the winter. Get back on the water with the help of our instructors and coaches. For all abilities.

Learn to Sail - Summer Courses

Two four-day courses during the summer holidays mainly for beginners. These courses will lead to Stage 1 and/or 2 for juniors and Levels 1 and/or 2 (Start Sailing and Basic Skills) for adults.

Cadet Week

Cadet Week enables children to gain an RYA Stage as well as making friends, having fun and becoming more water confident. For 2023 we will have four groups:

  • Red Course: for those who have never sailed before.
  • Yellow Course: for those who did Stage 1 last year but haven’t sailed recently and need refreshing before Stage 2.
  • Blue Course: for those who know the basics but haven’t sailed recently and need a refresher before going on to tackle the challenges of Stage 3.
  • Green course: for those who want to expand into double hander sailing with Stage 4, and then an introduction to Advanced Modules (seamanship, spinnakers, racing) through the Level 3 Better Sailing course.

Hot lunches can be provided and parent helpers are welcome whether as launching, safety cover or in the galley. Club boats are also available to hire. Find out more.

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RYA Stage 3 course

We recommend that children do practise before going to Stage 3 from Stage 2, especially if they have had a break from sailing over the winter. This stage builds on what has already been learned and introduces rigging, capsize technique and some theory. After the course the child should be able to sail around a triangular course in moderate conditions.

RYA Stage 4 course

This course refines technique and expands knowledge to include sailing a double handed dinghy and acting as both crew and helm, recovering a man overboard dummy and picking up a mooring. By this stage your child should be capable of joining a club race and can move on to take the Youth Improvers and Advanced courses.

RYA Start Racing / Get Ready to Race

A two-day introduction to racing in the Spring leading to a RYA Start Racing certificate. If you have always wanted to race but have not known what to do – or if you are a novice and want to improve your skills this is for you! Fun sessions looking at how to start a race, tactics and mark rounding. Sailors must be confident single-handers with Stage 2 / Level 2 or above, adults and youth welcome.

Autumn Race Training

In October / November we typically run Saturday morning race training sessions, for adults and older juniors on the water or by Zoom when the weather is not in our favour. These sessions cover boat handling, starting and mark rounding.

Team Hunts

This is our youth improvers session, during which we will deliver race coaching to junior sailors. it's particularly helpful for those who wish to participate in the Youth League or other regional sailing events. These will be held on Saturday mornings April-September.

One-to-One tuition

If you have a specific sailing issue, we can offer one-to-one coaching at a time to suit you.

Booking a course

For Stage 1 and 2 courses we usually only accept children of 8 years or older.  However, if your child has experience of being on the water we may be able to offer them a place.  Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss.

Dates can be subject to change due to weather conditions or insufficient enrolment.

  • Go to the current courses page.
  • Go to the Training Calendar to see what's coming up.
  • If you have any questions please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at the club speak to the Training Principal Vanessa Weedon-Jones or any of the sailing committee.
  • To find out more about RYA courses for children, visit the RYA website.