Royal Yachting Association and British Canoe Union
Youth Sailing
Youth courses are a minimum of two days long (or an equivalent number of short sessions).
Stage 1 - Basic understanding of how a boat sailing, with some experience of steering and handling the boat , including launching and recovery, steering, parts of the boat, basic sailing. At the end of the course candidates should be able to steer and understand basic principles.
Stage 2 - The course covers basic sailing skills, ropework, collision avoidance, On completion you should be able to tack and control boat speed, and understand basic principles.
Stage 3 - Covers Rigging, launching and recovery, sailing techniques, capsize recovery, sailing theory, By the end of the course candidates will be able to launch and sail a dinghy around a triangle in moderate conditions
Stage 4 - Covers further Rigging, launching and recovery, sailing techniques and manoeuvres in crewed boats, recovering a man overboard, at the end of this course you will be able to launch and return to a beach, jetty or mooring, and sail a crewed dinghy around a triangle in moderate conditions
Adult Dinghy Sailing Courses
RYA Level 1 - The Newcomer - This course is designed to give an insight into dinghy sailing. The emphasis is on teaching the basics of boat handling in light winds and providing necessary background knowledge. It should whet the appetite enough for progression to Level 2. (One Weekend Course)
RYA Level 2 - Taking Control - This is dinghy sailing with confidence. At the conclusion participants should be able to take control of a boat without supervision. (One Weekend Course)
RYA Level 3 - Coaching of level 1 and 2 skills and taster sessions from the advanced modules, To be more confident in sailing skills and techniques, and ready to progress onto the advanced modules (One Weekend Course)
RYA Seamanship Skills - Sailing Ability - This builds on from Level 2 / 3 by enhancing the skills already learnt and providing new ones. Ability to take a boat out alone should be there at the conclusion. It is advisable for those booking this course to have recent and regular sailing experience - having logged about 80 hours sailing, at least half at the helm. (One Weekend Course)
Keelboat Saililng Courses
RYA Level 2 - Taking Control - This is keelboat sailing with confidence. At the conclusion participants should be able to take control of a boat without supervision. (One Weekend Course)
RYA Level 3 - Coaching of level 1 and 2 skills and taster sessions from the advanced modules, To be more confident in sailing skills and techniques, and ready to progress onto the advanced modules (One Weekend Course)
RYA Seamanship Skills - Sailing Ability - This builds on from Level 2 by enhancing the skills already learnt and providing new ones. Ability to take a boat out alone should be there at the conclusion. It is advisable for those booking this course to have recent and regular sailing experience - having logged about 80 hours sailing, at least half at the helm. (One Weekend Course)
Powerboat Courses
RYA Level 1 Power - This course is an introduction to boating techniques for launching and recovering a boat from a road trailer, everyday boat handling and the use of safety equipment. (The course is of one days duration.)
RYA Level 2 Power - This two-day course provides the skills and background knowledge needed to drive a powerboat and is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence. It includes Close quarters handling, high speed manoeuvres, man overboard recovery and collision regulations. The course can be taken in the Docks or on the Tidal River Thames. (One weekend Course)
RYA Safety Boat - This two-day course provides the skills required when acting as an escort craft, safety boat or coach boat for a fleet of dinghies, windsurfers or canoes, or for racing or training activities.
For those who hold a Power Level 2 Certificate and have also logged a minimum of 12 hours (excluding those used to gain certificates), and who require an introduction to rescue work associated with sailing dinghies. It is desirable for safety boat crew members to hold a first aid certificate. An important component for RYA Dinghy Senior Instructor Test candidates. (One Weekend Course)
RYA First Aid Certificate or BCU Aquatic First Aid
These courses which are recommended by the MCA and HSE are designed to teach you what to do in many of the situations where people have accidents whilst on a small craft from how to resuscitate someone to how to treat minor cuts.
This course is useful for anyone who goes out on the water and an RYA requirement for those taking Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore exams. At the end of the course you will qualify for the RYA First Aid Certificate or BCU Aquatic First Aid Certificate which are valid for 3 years from time of issue.
Our courses run from 9.00am to approximately 5.30pm. Tea, coffee and all equipment to complete the course is provided. You should bring a packed lunch, though hot / cold drinks are provided.
RYA Day Skipper (Theory)
This shorebased course run, over 3 weekends, (one per month for 3 months) for potential skippers of yachts, motor cruisers and motor sailors. The course involves study of coastal navigation, weather at sea, safety afloat and other boat handling techniques. Recommended, if not essential, prior to undertaking the RYA Day Skipper Practical Course.
This course is usually run over three weekends in January, February and March of each year.
RYA Day Skipper (Practical) - Can be run over 5 days or 3 weekends aboard one of the Offshore sections yachts "Alexander Fairey", a 34ft Sloop or "Discovery DSP", a 43ft Seastream TS
BCU 1 Star- Novice Level (One Weekend )
For those with little or absolutely no experience to learn the basic skills. At the end an individual will be able to be in control, know how to turn, stop, reverse and what to do if they capsize.
A basic knowledge of canoeing theory is also taught.
BCU 2 Star - Intermediate Level (One Weekend )
For those who are of BCU 1 Star standard and had further practical experience. At the end of the course an individual will be a competent flat water canoeist. Efficient methods of turning the canoe are taught including that of rescue of self and others. The theory covers safety on the water, control of groups, how to prepare for canoeing trips, correctly selecting equipment and first aid. The course covers both closed cockpit kayaks and open canoes. This award allows a Scout Activity Permit to be awarded.
BCU 3 Star (White Water) - We run this course in both Canoe and Kayak disciplines.
For Kayaking,the successful candidate will have a knowledge of advanced strokes, able to perform them on flat water, committing oneself to the paddle (i.e. supporting the canoe off balance by the paddle) and the ability to roll within three attempts. The theory is similar to that of 2 Star but at a more detailed level. This course is usually carried out on the middle reaches of the River Dart in Devon during the early winter / spring period. Most people use this weekend as a "White Water Training Weekend" and are pleased if they pass the 3 star as well.
For Open Canoeing, the successful candidate will have a knowledge of advanced strokes, able to perform them on flat water, committing oneself to the paddle (i.e. supporting the canoe off balance by the paddle) and the ability to roll within three attempts. The theory is similar to that of 2 Star but at a more detailed level. This course is usually carried out on the middle reaches of the River Medway in Kent during the early winter / spring period. Most people use this weekend as a "White Water Training Weekend" and are pleased if they pass the 3 star as well.
BCU Foundation Safety & Rescue Training (FSRT)
For canoe and kayak paddlers - stay safe in a flat water environment with this BCU FSRT course at the Docks. This covers capsizes, rescues (boat and bank based), and safety in an aquatic environment.
Conveniently run over a full day, at the end of the course you will be equipped with the skills to ensure the safety of yourself and others. In the event of an emergency or difficulty you will posess the skills to help yourself and/ or others and be able to deal effectively with common emergencies.
Pre-requisites
• Candidates need to either hold the BCU 2 star award or be of that ability.
• Be able to swim in normal canoeing clothing suitable for the prevailing conditions.
• A first aid certificate is not a pre-requisite; however the holding of a first aid certificate is strongly recommended for all paddlers.
• Be a minimum of 14 years of age.
| Course | Date(s) | Places | Show Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|
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RYA First Aid
3 Spaces Available |
14/12/2024 | 12 | Show Candidates |
|
RYA First Aid
3 Spaces Available |
11/01/2025 | 12 | Show Candidates |
|
Quartermaster & Crew Annual Induction
40 Spaces Available |
31/01/2025 - 02/02/2025 | 40 | |
|
RYA First Aid
6 Spaces Available |
01/02/2025 | 12 | Show Candidates |
|
RYA First Aid
10 Spaces Available |
15/02/2025 | 12 | Show Candidates |
|
Scout Pulling
18 Spaces Available |
15/02/2025 - 16/02/2025 | 18 | |
|
RYA Powerboat Level 2
1 Space Available |
15/02/2025 - 16/02/2025 | 6 | Show Candidates |
|
RYA Diesel Engine
12 Spaces Available |
16/02/2025 | 12 | |
|
RYA Keelboat Level 2
5 Spaces Available |
08/03/2025 - 09/03/2025 | 9 | Show Candidates |
|
RYA Powerboat Level 2
5 Spaces Available |
08/03/2025 - 09/03/2025 | 6 | Show Candidates |
|
RYA Dinghy Level 2
9 Spaces Available |
08/03/2025 - 09/03/2025 | 10 | Show Candidates |
|
Scout Pulling
18 Spaces Available |
15/03/2025 - 16/03/2025 | 18 | |
|
RYA SRC (VHF inc GMDSS)
8 Spaces Available |
22/03/2025 | 12 | Show Candidates |
|
RYA Dinghy Level 2
9 Spaces Available |
22/03/2025 - 23/03/2025 | 10 | Show Candidates |
|
BC Explore Award
10 Spaces Available |
22/03/2025 - 23/03/2025 | 10 | |
|
RYA First Aid
12 Spaces Available |
23/03/2025 | 12 | |
|
British Canoeing - Explore Award
9 Spaces Available |
12/04/2025 - 13/04/2025 | 10 | Show Candidates |
|
RYA Dinghy Level 3
10 Spaces Available |
12/04/2025 - 13/04/2025 | 10 | |
|
RYA Dinghy Instructor
Course Full |
01/01/2500 | 6 | Show Candidates |
|
Paddlesports Instructor BCU
12 Spaces Available |
01/01/2500 | 12 | |
|
BCU Level 2 Coaching
1 Space Available |
01/01/2500 | 6 | Show Candidates |
