Courses for children
Sailing is a wonderful sport for children! Not only does it get them outdoors, but it also teaches them self-reliance, confidence in the water, teamwork, and much more.
At Hunts SC, we follow the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme, which consists of four stages. Each stage builds upon the previous one and leads to its own certificate, allowing participants to see their progress. Hunts Sailing Club is a RYA Recognised Training Centre, which enables us to run RYA courses and issue certificates.
Additionally, the process is designed to include continuous assessment. If a child demonstrates a skill from the next level up, their instructor can sign it off, even if it's part of the next stage. Once all components of a stage have been signed off, an esteemed RYA certificate is awarded!
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.
RYA courses
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. Go to RYA website - Stage 1 | Go to RYA website - Stage 2
RYA Stage 3 course
We recommend that children do practice 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. Go to RYA website - Stage 3
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. Go to RYA website - Stage 4
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. Go to RYA website - Start Racing
Race training
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.
Summer courses
Learn to Sail
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. In previous years sailors have been divided into groups:
- Red group: for those who have never sailed before.
- Yellow group: for those who did Stage 1 last year but haven't sailed recently and need refreshing before Stage 2.
- Blue group: 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 group: 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.
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 prior experience of being on the water we may be able to offer them a place. Please email training@huntssc.org.uk to discuss.
Dates can be subject to change due to weather conditions or insufficient enrolment.
Last updated 21:47 on 23 March 2025