RYA Stage 2 Youth Sailing

The world-recognised second step to becoming a confident young sailor.

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The world-recognised second step to becoming a confident young sailor. A two-day sailing course for kids 8+, taught by our highly-qualified instructors in the beautiful surroundings of New Quay bay.

By the end of the course kids will have developed the skills needed to sail around a course tacking, gybing and controlling boat speed. Plus a bit more theory and a few more knots!

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By the end of this course the student should be able to:

  • Put a boat head to wind for rigging and then rig a sailing dinghy
  • Manoeuvre a trolley clear of other boats and overhead cables
  • Launch and recover a small dinghy on an offshore wind
  • Tie a reef knot and a round turn with two half hitches
  • Can control speed and stop by lying-to
  • Can get out of irons
  • Can go about (close reach to close reach)
  • Can crew a boat effectively
  • Can sail a shallow triangle across the wind under supervision (gybing optional)
  • Understands the principles of the 5 essentials
  • Return to a beach or pontoon (offshore wind)
  • Can be scooped in during capsize recovery or can right a dinghy
  • Understands the No Go Zone
  • Understands what is meant by windward, leeward and gybe
  • Understands several ways of finding the wind direction
  • Has knowledge of
    • Spars and rigging
    • Parts of the sail
    • Sail controls and foils
    • Offshore and onshore winds
    • Port / Starboard Rule

The boats we use will depend on the conditions on the dates; you can see our dinghy fleet here.

We have wetsuits you can hire for £5. You’ll also need to bring lunch or buy it nearby. Bring a towel and swimsuit, and wetsuit boots/old trainers. We provide buoyancy aids.

What we provide:

  • Wetsuits (£5 hire)
  • Buoyancy aid (compulsory)
  • Spraytop/cagoule – optional wind protection
  • Wetsuit boots
  • Small free lockers
  • Male and female changing rooms
  • Hot showers
  • Toilets
  • Coffee/hot chocolate machine
  • Waterproof phone pouches/glasses cords to buy
RYA Stage 2 Youth Sailing

£205

  • Times:

    9:30am - 4.30pm

  • Duration:

    2 days

  • Min age:

    8

  • Standard:

    Stage 1 or equivalent

Bring
  • Wet boots/old trainers
  • Towel
  • Swimsuit

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How old do I need to be?

    Minimum age 8.

  • What is the upper age limit?

    If you aren’t sure about the upper age limit, it’s about 14, but depends on maturity and size! You can give us a call to suss it out.

  • Do you teach levels and stages in the same group?

    We cannot teach Levels and Stages to the same group, as they have different syllabi

  • Do I need to be a good swimmer?

    You need a basic level of water confidence.

  • Can I use my own boat?

    Please note we use our own boats and cannot use yours (but can advise!)

  • How large is the group in each session?

    We can take a max of six students to one instructor.

  • Is there a minimum number of people for the course to run?

    Minimum two students for the course to run.

  • Are activities at a set time every day?

    We may have to adjust preferred timings to allow for the tide.

  • Do the parents have to stick around to watch the kids?

    Kids will be under our authority except for lunch hour, so parents can enjoy most of the day off!

  • Where to stay, park, eat etc?

    Please see our main FAQs page for information on Where to stay, park, eat etc.

  • Fitness to sail

    Participants must have a decent standard of mobility and fitness; please contact us if you are not sure.

    Single and double-handed dinghies require you to be able to move from one side of the boat to the other as it is moving, and duck to avoid the boom swinging over. You will also need to be able to get back into the boat when it capsizes (this is part of the learning and not something to worry about).