About this Event
RYA Start Sailing & Sailing Basics RYA level 1&2
Five days - Last weekend April and then three day May bank holiday
Combined RYA Start Sailing and Sailing Basics (level 1 & 2) Dinghy Course for Adult (aged 16 or over) novices or as a refresher for those returning to dinghy sailing.
The course is ideally for people wanting to join BCYC, with a training discount included in the price.
Note : - 2026 Dates are SAT April 25TH, Sun April 26th, then following three day Bank Holiday weekend
The course follows the RYA start sailing / sailing basics syllabus and aims at developing confidence and competence of the participants to sail without any instruction.
The RYA Bit
The RYA Recognised training center for this course is Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club - Principal Instructor Johnny Allen, and the course is held on Cheddar Reservoir - Somerset.
The minimum duration to complete the course is 32 Hours and the maximum student to instructor ratio we are allowed is 1:6
You will be provided with an RYA Syllabus / Logbook as part of your course fee, and the RYA start sailing book will be available for an additional £10 if requested.
What Do I Need to Go Sailing?
The course provides all equipment that you will need, wetsuits, buoyancy aid and spray jacket.
You will need to provide shoes that can get wet (training shoes or pumps will do) and a towel. The club has lockable changing rooms and hot showers. Teas and coffees and be purchased at the club.
The course runs from 09:30 to 17:00 each day.
How Much Will it Cost?
The five day course costs £575 and includes BCYC membership up to renewal on 1st March 2027. The course is an ideal way of staring at BCYC meeting fellow new members and making friends.
If you are already a member - the course is £400
Successful completion of the course allows the hiring of club boats. Membership requires commitment to support the club for a number of "corinthian " days throughout the year.
For New members there is a deposit of £20 for a gate key included in the course fee and your membership can be upgraded to a family membership for the additional membership fee.
Please note: - if two family members are coming on the course, please contact [email protected] to arrange for the additional participant to be added manually to the course and an additional payment of £400 to be requested
In addition if you would like to purchase an RYA start sailing manual - these can be purchased for 10 pounds at the start of the course.
If you wish to come on the course but do not want to join BCYC the fee remains at £575 - Still an absolute bargain - please let the club know at point of being requested to join the club - prior to the course starting.
Single Handed Or Double Handed Boats?
The course takes place using club training boats that can be hired by members once Sailing Basics (level 2) certification has been awarded.
The course takes place in Vision (below) and Wayfarer boats with an instructor in the boat at all times for the first few sessions. The boats are more stable and suitable for a wider range of student ages and physical ability. There is the option to switch to single handed boats once the start sailing part of the course is completed - and if the weather allows. Progression is much quicker in a single handed boat, and candidates tend to be more athletic, get wetter and make a lot more noise.
The sailing basics(level 2) course involves rigging, maneuvering, launching and capsizing a boat and students need to have sufficient mobility for these activities. As a guide , the ability to get out of a swimming pool without using a ladder would be considered comparable with the most extreme requirements for the course.
Having said that - being able to swim is not a requirement to go sailing, but confidence in and around the water is required. All equipment - buoyancy aids (compulsory) and wetsuit (optional) are provided. All you need to bring are shoes that can get wet..
The club does not have a galley and a packed lunch is required. There are tea and coffee making facilities and a microwave that cn be used by members
The club has wetsuits and bouyancy aids for the use of members.
In strong winds, the boats are reefed (reduce sail area) and for the first couple fo days there is an instructor in the boat with the students.
Single handed boats are available for the more gaile and capable students on the second weekend.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club, Cheddar Reservoir, Axbridge, United Kingdom
GBP 400.00 to GBP 575.00
