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Learning to Sail at Whitstable Yacht Club

Whitstable Yacht Club is an RYA Recognised Training Centre. The club offers first class tuition, a range of training boats and excellent facilities. Members of the public can be given temporary club membership on application for a course, and we also welcome members of other RYA affiliated sailing clubs to our courses at WYC member rates.

Jump to a section:

• Formal RYA Tuition
• Adult Courses
• Youth Courses
• Advanced Courses
• Powerboat Training
• Sailing Development
• One to One lessons
• Improver Sessions
• Transition to Racing
• Youth Sailing Development
• Other courses and equipment hire
• Contact details

Formal Tuition for RYA Sailing and Powerboat Courses

Adult Courses

Adult courses are carried out in small groups, following the Royal yachting association (RYA) syllabus. Each course is held over two days with a minimum of 16 hours tuition. Courses are offered for RYA Level One (Start Sailing), RYA Level Two (Basic Skills) and RYA Level Three (Better Sailing) to become a competent sailor.

RYA Level One (Start Sailing) adult course. Assumed knowledge: none. Course content: Rig, launch, turn around (in multiple directions), land and have wind awareness. Ability after course: to sail a boat supervised. We will be using, Topper topaz boats, Laser Pico boats and occasionally a double hander. 9am to 5pm each day. All clothing, boat hire, certificate and book included in cost. For dates, availability and to book click here.

RYA Level Two (Basic Skills) adult course. Assumed knowledge: sailing skills to the standard of level 1. Course content: Building confidence and develop skills to be an independent sailor. Including rigging, launching & landing. Sailing in all directions including capsize recovery and safety knowledge. Ability after course: able to sail in all directions in good conditions. We will be using Topper Topaz boats, Laser pico boats and occasionally a double hander. 9am to 5pm each day. All clothing, boat hire, certificate and book included in cost. For dates, availability and to book click here.

RYA Level Three (Better Sailing) adult course allows for the opportunity to practice and consolidate skills. Helping build confidence and support development of good sailing techniques and independent sailing. There are several optional units in the Level 3 syllabus, please review them in your log book and talk to your instructor to work out what aspects to focus on. For dates, availability and to book click here.

Youth Training

Cadet courses (age 8 to 16) are based on the RYA National Youth Sailing Scheme and are held, over 3 days, during the school school holidays. By taking appropriate courses, and through practice in WYC Cadet Sessions, a cadet can go from being a complete beginner to becoming a confident, independent sailor, and have a lot of fun in the process.

• RYA youth Stage 1: Able to steer and understands the basic principles of how to get a boat moving.
• RYA youth Stage 2: Develops basic skills in tacking and controlling speed and understands the basic principles.
• RYA youth stage 3: Builds confidence and knowledge in a variety of weather conditions, to become an independent sailor in launching and recovery, and sailing around a triangle.
• Stage 4 and advanced courses are available on the schedule for those who have completed stages 1-3.

RYA Youth courses at Easter and October half term are located at Westbere Lake, Fordwich (near canterbury), for two days and then at WYC on the third day, weather dependant.

For dates, availability and to book click here.

Advanced courses

Whitstable Yacht club are running a number of advanced courses as well as additional RYA courses.

• RYA First aid course – 2nd March 2024
• RYA safety boat course – 9th and 10th March 2024
• RYA day sailing course – 23rd and 24th May 2024
• RYA Seamanship course (adults) – 4th and 5th July 2024
• RYA dinghy instructor pre-assessment – 24th June 2024
• RYA dinghy instructor course – 1st – 5th July 2024
• RYA Seamanship (Youth) – 31st July – 2nd August 2024
• RYA Start racing – 7th – 9th August 2024

Powerboat Training

The RYA Powerboat Level 2 course over two days gives time for practical instruction and theory, and includes a practical assessment. PB2 is also a pre-requisite to drive a club power boat at WYC. Assumed knowledge: None, although level one start powerboating may be proceeded. Limited to 3 people per course, over 14s only. A direct assessment (1 day) can also be done for those with prior powerboat experience. This year we are also running RYA powerboat level 1. Ages 10-14 1 day. For dates, availability and to book click here.

Sailing Development

One to one lessons

We offer one-to-one lessons for people want a short taster session, or want to improve your sailing skills on an individual basis. Taster sessions are 3 hours, and are a great way to dip your toe into the sailing world. Tuition on an individual, two person or small group basis can be found on the schedule. Please email Ruth to arrange for a lesson tailored to your requirements.

Improver sessions

Come along to our adult improver sessions every other Wednesday evening from late spring to early Autumn, with a few extra Sundays thrown into the diary as well. These sessions are for members who want to enjoy a recreational sail with safety boat support and/or want to improve their sailing skills with the availability of expert advice. Participants are expected to be RYA level 2 standard. Club boats are available for hire at additional cost for the session. Please see the Sailing Scheduled for dates and times. To book a place click here.

Transition to racing sessions

Open to all (adults and cadets) who have achieved RYA level 2 or RYA youth stage 3. Ideally with a little racing knowledge. 4 sessions at the weekends in may covering a number of different topics from starting, upwind sailing, mark rounding and rules. Please book in to secure your place.

Youth Sailing Development

Cadet and Family sessions These weekly sessions are offered to members either on a Friday evening or Saturday depending on the tide. The emphasis is on safe and fun sailing under the direction of an instructor. These sessions are ideal for giving children time on the water to put into practice what they have learned from a RYA course and to develop their ability towards the next level. See the Cadets and Family Sessions page for more details.

Cadetfest: Four days of sailing with long distance cruises, racing, kayaking, mini Olympics, & raft building. Most of all a full week of fun! sailing will be from Monday 19th/20th & 22nd 23rd August 2024. Cadets need to have attained RYA stage 2,and attended 6 cadet sessions prior to Cadetfest to participate.

Youth sailing events at WYC with external coaching: To support the progression of the young sailors at Whitstable Yacht Club we host a number of events throughout the year, and we encourage our sailors to visit youth events at other clubs. Including KSSA who do a variety of training throughout the year. In 2024 WYC will be hosting the Topper London and south east open training on Saturday 27th April and traveller racing on the Sunday 28th April. Volunteers will be needed for a variety of jobs!

Other courses and equipment hire

Corporate & School Sessions can be customised to your specific requirements. Please contact us to arrange water sports activities for adult or school groups at Whitstable Yacht Club.

Windsurfing equipment hire is available for members. Whitstable is a great place to progress your windsurfing owing to the flat, shallow water at low tide. You do need some experience to hire, and unfortunately WYC currently cannot offer windsurfing instruction. Hire is arranged on application to the Training Administrator: training@wyc.org.uk.

Dinghy hire is available for members only, subject to availabilty. An RYA Adult L2 Certificate is the minimum requirement to hire a boat, and bookings must be made 7 days in advance. To hire a boat, please book in via the booking system here. For pricing see Charges.

Booking Information

All courses should be booked online

Please use the links on this page to check schedule, availability and book courses online using our booking system on Bookwhen.com.

Charges

Download the latest list of charges HERE.

Vouchers for courses are very popular. Give to a friend or loved one and they can choose the date of course! To order a voucher please go to https://bookwhen.com/wyctraining/vouchers

Interested?

For more information on how to book, the content of our courses, or if you'd like to talk to get advice on how to take your sailing further, please contact our training team:

Position	Name	Photo	Contact
WYC Training Principal	Jo Wyles		.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Chief Instructor, Training Administrator, RYA Onboard Officer and Co-Bosun (Sailing Equipment Supervisor)	Ruth Oliver		.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 01227 272 942