There are three courses for Adults - RYA Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. The club offers Level 1 and Level 2 courses to members and may be introducing Level 3 courses in 2010/11 if there is demand. For more information about the Level 1 and Level 2 courses please click on the headings below:
The aim of this course is to provide a short introduction to dinghy sailing for novices. By the end of the course, participants will have a basic understanding of boat handling techniques and background knowledge. Topics covered:
| Rigging | Has wind awareness. Spars and rigging, parts of the sail, sail controls, centreboard, daggerboard and rudder. |
| Ropework | Figure of eight knot. Round turn and two half hitches. Secure a rope to a cleat |
| Sailing Techniques and Manoeuvres | Has wind awareness. Reaching - sailing across the wind. Stopping - lying-to. Controlling speed. Tacking - turning the front of the boat through the wind. Getting out of irons. Sailing upwind. Sailing downwind. Gybing - turning the back of the boat through the wind. |
| Launching and Recovery | Can secure boat on trolley. Wheeling a trolley clear of other boats and overhead cables. Launching and leaving shore. Coming ashore and recovery. Wind awareness ashore. |
| Sailing Theory and Background | Has awareness of other water users. Has basic knowledge of the rules of the road - power versus sail, port versus starboard, overtaking boat, windward boat. |
| Capsize Recovery | Understands basic theory (dry land capsize) and importance of staying with the boat. |
| Sailing Theory | Awareness of other water users. Rules of the road: port/starboard; windward boat; overtaking boat. |
| Meteorology | Awareness of onshore and offshore winds. Sources of weather information. |
| Clothing and Equipment | Clothing and footwear. the importance of personal buoyancy. |
By the end of the course, the successful sailor will be safety conscious, have a basic knowledge of sailing and be capable of sailing a dinghy without an instructor on board in light winds.
| Rigging | Understands how to rig a dinghy according to weather conditions. Able to reef ashore. |
| Ropework | Bowline, clove hitch, reef knot, rolling hitch. |
| Sailing Techniques and Manoeuvres | Has a basic understanding of the following: The five essentials - sail setting, balance, trim, course made good and centreboard. Leaving and returning to beach, jetty or mooring. Coming alongside a moored boat. Knows basic rules of the road. Awareness of lee shore dangers. Sailing in close company with others. Man overboard recovery. |
| Launching and Recovery | Knowledge of boat storage ashore, launching and recovery. Able to paddle or row around a triangular course, come alongside and make fast. |
| Capsize Recovery | Practical experience of one method and knowledge of one other procedure. |
| Racing | Understands the course and starting procedure. |
| Sailing Theory | Points of sailing and No Go Zone. Basic aerodynamic theory. Sea sailing. Inland sailing. Local byelaws, permits. Overhead power lines. First aid and resuscitation. |
| Meteorology | Sources of information. Weather and shipping forecasts. When to reef. Understands Beaufort Wind Scale |
| Clothing and Equipment | Personal safety - clothing and buoyancy. Boat buoyancy and basic equipment. Safety equipment. Action to help those in distress. |
Courses are usually run over a weekend: Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am to 5.00pm.