Bolton Sailing Club is a recognised training centre of the Royal Yachting Association.
The certificates within our Youth Sailing Scheme are a significant achievement.
Instructors sign off each skill as you complete it.
Once completed, your certificate can be of use in other areas of your study or activities such as PE at school, or the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
The Youth Scheme is usually completed in small dinghies suitable for your size.
To make the most of our courses, ensure you are confident with the skills of one course before moving on to the next course.
Most courses are a minimum of two days long (or an equivalent number of short sessions).
They may be run over a longer period, especially if you haven't sailed since your last course.
Sailing is a sport which gets better with practice, and you should try to sail between courses whenever you can.
Practice makes perfect!
If you are interested in any of these courses, contact David Campfield, our Junior Captain via juniors@sail.og.uk or chiefinstructor@sail.org.uk
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Stage 1
RYA Youth Dinghy Level 1 gives you a basic understanding of how a dinghy sails, with some experience of steering and handling.
You will learn about launching and recovery of the dinghy, steering, parts of the dinghy, and basic sailing.
Afterwards you will be able to steer the dinghy and understand the basic principles.
Assumed Knowledge: None.
Eligibility: Typically 8 to 16 years old.
Course Duration: Modular - 16 hours.
Course Fee and Books: £25.
Dates: Fri nights between end of April & start of September.
Venue: Bolton SC.
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Stage 2
RYA Youth Dinghy Level 2 gives you a range of sailing skills and knowledge to help you become a confident sailor .
You will learn basic sailing skills, ropework and collision avoidance.
Afterwards you will be able to tack, control boat speed, and understand the basic principles.
Assumed Knowledge: Youth Sailing Scheme Level 1.
Eligibility: Typically 8 to 16 years old.
Course Duration: Modular - 16 hours.
Course Fee and Books: £25 (if not already purchased for S1).
Dates: Fri nights between end of April & start of September.
Venue: Bolton SC
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Stage 3 (Equivalent to Adult RYA Dinghy Level 2)
RYA Youth Dinghy Level 3 gives you experience of rigging the dinghy, launching and sailing in any direction.
You will learn about rigging, launching and recovery of the dinghy, sailing techniques, capsize recovery and sailing theory.
Afterwards you will be able to launch and sail a dinghy around a triangular course in moderate conditions.
Assumed Knowledge: Youth Sailing Scheme Level 2.
Eligibility: Typically 8 to 16 years old.
Course Duration: Modular - 16 hours.
Course Fee and Books: £25 (if not already purchased for S1 or S2).
Dates: Fri nights between end of April & start of September.
Venue: Bolton SC.
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Stage 4
RYA Youth Dinghy Level 4 teaches you to sail a double handed boat as crew or helm, and solve a variety of problems afloat.
You will learn about rigging, launching and recovery, sailing techniques and manoeuvres in crewed boats, recovering a man overboard.
Afterwards you will be able to launch and return to a beach, jetty or mooring, and sail a crewed dinghy around a triangular course in moderate conditions.
Assumed Knowledge: Youth Sailing Scheme Level 3.
Eligibility: Typically 8 to 16 years old.
Course Duration: Modular - 16 hours.
Course Fee and Books: £25 (if not already purchased for S1, S2 or S3).
Dates: Fri nights between end of April & start of September.
Venue: Bolton SC.
What to Wear - Warm Weather
Ideally, if you have them, wear a wetsuit on top of swimwear, dinghy boots and sailing gloves. Once you get into summer sailing this is the sort of gear you will want to wear. You will want to wear a light spray top if it is breezy or if there is a chance of rain.
If you don’t have the above in time for day 1 of the course, wear one or more upper garments on top of swimwear, and trainers (not flip flops or sandals). You will want to wear a light wind & waterproof jacket if it is breezy or if there is a chance of rain.
You really should have a wetsuit by day 2 of the course.
Sunglasses, suncream, insect repellent and a hat are also a good idea.
What to Wear - Cool Weather
Ideally, if you have them, wear a wetsuit on top of swimwear and a thermal base layer, dinghy boots and sailing gloves. Consider one or more layers of warm clothing over your wetsuit with a light (or more substantial) spray top.
If you don’t have the above in time for day 1 of the course, wear more substantial wind & waterproof outer clothing (ideally breathable) over several warm layers, waterproof boots, a hat and tight fitting gardening gloves.
You really should have a wetsuit by day 2 of the course.
Sunglasses, suncream may still be a good idea.
What to Wear - Cold Weather
A dry suit on top of a woolly bear (one-piece fleece) and several warm layers, thermal or wooly socks, dinghy boots and a hat. Winter sailing gloves.
If you can’t afford a drysuit, wear a 5mm steamer wetsuit on top of swimwear, dinghy boots, neoprene socks, warm hat and sailing gloves. Also, one or more layers of warm clothing over the steamer with an insulating spray top.
If you don’t have the above in time for day 1 of the course, wear substantial wind & waterproof upper and lower body outer clothing (ideally breathable) over several warm layers, waterproof boots, a hat and tight fitting gardening gloves.
What Else to Bring
A towel and a change of clothing to wear after the training. A packed lunch.
Paying For a Course at Bolton SC
Payments should be made ASAP in advance of the course.
Payments can be made with cash, cheque (please write on the back of the cheque the title of the course), or BACS transfer:
- Bank: HSBC
- Account name: Bolton Sailing Club
- Account number: 72222515
- Sort code: 40-12-25
- Reference: Title of course (e.g. Youth S1)
Cancellation Policy
No place will be confirmed on courses held at Bolton Sailing Club until payment of the course fee has been received. 25% of all course fees are non-refundable if you drop out.
You understand that the Co-ordinator of an event held at Bolton Sailing Club may cancel or postpone the event at any stage in the case of bad weather, equipment failure or otherwise. Under such circumstances the event will either be re-arranged or the course fee refunded.
Risk Statement
It must be recognised that sailing and powerboating are by nature unpredictable sports and therefore inherently involve an element of risk. By taking part, you agree and acknowledge that:
- You are aware there is an inherent element of risk involved in watersports and you accept responsibility for exposing yourself to such inherent risk whilst taking part.
- You will comply at all times with the instructions of the instructor and/or skipper of the boat particularly with regard to instructions for boarding and leaving the boat and/or launching and recovery, using the equipment on the boat and handling sails, wearing of buoyancy aids, lifejackets and the wearing of suitable clothing in particular footwear for the conditions.
- You accept responsibility for any injury, damage or loss caused by your own negligence.
- You will not participate whilst your ability to take part is impaired by alcohol, drugs or whilst otherwise unfit to participate.
- You are aware that the provision of supervision by the instructors is limited to such assistance, as can be practically provided in the circumstances.
- You agree to abide by the Rules, Bylaws and Regulations of Bolton Sailing Club.
- You understand that insurance against personal accident and loss or damage to personal property is your responsibility.
