I've learnt to sail and want to carry on, what should I do next?
Published 21:27 on 16 Apr 2021
So you or your children are on a beginners sailing course, and you have reached the end, gaining maybe your RYA Level 1 or Youth Sailing Stage 2. As a new sailor you have learnt some new skills, and discovered the buzz sailing can give, and you want to carry on and do more, but how do you do that?
Some of the most common questions asked of instructors at the end of a sailing course (and especially a beginner's course) is, "What should I do next? How do I get more confident? How can I carry on sailing?" As instructors we love hearing these questions, and we are always happy to answer them. Whilst it may seem logical to book onto the next level or stage in the Royal Yachting Association Sailing Scheme, this probably isn't the best next step! Sailing clubs around the country, including Spinnaker Sailing Club, have a range of activities and ways to support new sailors, and help them gain more confidence, skill and enjoyment from sailing! In this article we are going to look at some of things you can do after learning to sail, and why they might be right for you or your family!
One of the key things for anyone looking to carry on sailing is that RYA courses are meant to be followed by gaining experience, to consolidate what you have learnt. If you look in either the Youth Sailing Scheme or National Sailing Scheme logbooks you will see that for most of the courses at the top of the page there is a paragraph which states you should have gained one season's experience since the previous course before moving on. This is to allow you time to consolidate, and practice those skills you have been taught, before trying to gain new ones. Regular activity is key to this, and to support this regular sailing we have a range of activities on offer, some of which are instructor led, and others are less structured, designed to allow easy access to the water, with the reassurance that someone is on hand to help if required.
For Everyone - Friday Club Nights!
At Spinnaker Sailing Club Friday Night is Club Night! It's an opportunity to get out on the water, knowing that an instructor is on hand top help rig and launch, answer any questions, and of course man the safety boat just in case you need help (although we're sure you won't)! Club night starts around 5pm, and runs until 8.30pm so you can come down after work, have some tea at the lake, and head out on the water. There is no charge to come down to the lake, and we have club boats available to hire at a lower price than normal (if you have your own boat then of course you can also use that for free)! Club Night is a great way to start the weekend with a relaxed social atmosphere.
Many people love being able to sail (or kayak and paddleboard) at their own pace, in their own way, and Friday Night's provide the ideal opportunity to do this at the lake. However, we know some people prefer to have a little more support as they continue to learn and grow as sailors. So to support those who would like a little more assistance and guidance we have a range of weekly sessions for both children and adults.
For Children - Spinnaker Youth Training
Spinnaker Youth Training is the name for our regular weekend sessions for children, where they can carry on their sailing adventures with other children, in a group led by one of our experienced, RYA qualified instructors. We have a range of groups, from our "Improver" groups on a Saturday for those who have the skills of RYA Youth Sailing Stage 2 or higher, to our "Improver Racing Groups" on Sunday mornings for those with a bit more experience and a competitive streak!
During these sessions we aim to allow children to have fun, consolidate and refine their existing skills, and learn new ones. These sessions can be sailed in a variety of boats including Optimists, Toppers, Teras, Fevas and Lasers, so cater to all ages and abilities! We have club boats available, so don't worry about buying one straight away! With different skills being practiced each week Spinnaker Youth Training is a great way to help your children continue sailing in a fun, safe, and supportive way.
For Adults - Instructor Led Sessions
Not forgetting our adult members we have two programmes available mid-week for adults to continue their sailing journey with support from one of our instructors. We can provide all equipment to allow you to continue sailing/
On Tuesday evenings we run two adult improver groups. One is focussed on general sailing skills, consolidating the techniques taught in RYA Level 1 and 2. Alongside this we also have a "Begin to Race" group, suitable for anyone with the skills and experience of RYA Level2 who wants to learn how to take part in our regular and fun club racing!
On Thursday mornings we run our very popular Ladies Sailing groups. We have sessions for beginners, improvers, and advanced ladies, covering every aspect of sailing. These sessions finish off with a cup of tea/coffee at the clubhouse and apart from being fun sailing are a great social!
For Everyone - Club Racing
It may seem like a huge leap from learning to sail to taking part in racing at the club, but it doesn't have to be! We aim to keep our club races fun and friendly. Our more experienced racers are usually very happy to offer advice and answer the questions of those with less experience. Not only is the sailing fun (and you might even get a chance to race your instructor) but there is a great social atmosphere in the boat park afterwards, with the club bar reopening on Wednesday evenings after racing as well soon!
If you are nervous, and want others to know you are new to racing, then ask for one of our red streamers, which show other sailors you are new to racing, a bit like having "P" plates after passing your driving test!
As you can see there are loads of ways to carry on sailing after learning. We all started as beginners, and the club wants to help make sailing as accessible and as fun as possible! If you would like any more advice about how you can carry on please speak to James or Neil!
Last updated 09:41 on 20 December 2023
