Junior Sailing Courses 2023
Sailing: A Sport for Life!
The RYA Youth Sailing Scheme
At Ardingly Activity Centre, we follow the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme (sometimes known as the ‘Onboard’ scheme) This series of fun and challenging stages is open to under 16’s and is tailored to encouraging children to fall in love with sailing. They will learn all the skills within a sound framework of safety and good tuition with our team of instructors. From the age of 6 we can introduce your child to the amazing world of sailing! By working through the stages as they grow older, children develop new skills and techniques with many of our students returning year after year to keep learning and keep sailing.
For information about the structure of the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme, please click HERE for an informative guide from the RYA!
Optimist Taster
This course is ideal for the young beginner. We recommend this course for children between 6 and 10.
Optimist Taster runs for five mornings OR five afternoon, with a focus on fostering enjoyment and familiarity with the boat. Instructors will cover the basic elements of sailing, all the while ensuring the students are comfortable and enjoying their first time on the water. Each student sails his or her own boat (weather condition dependant) and no previous experience is needed. This course runs for five mornings or five afternoons.
Cost: £229 (£279 in July & August)
Time: 9.30 – 12.30 or 1.30 – 4.30
Dates 2023:
- 10 – 14 April AM only
- 29 – 02 May / June AM only
- 10 – 14 July AM only
- 17 – 21 July AM only
- 24 – 28 July AM Full or PM
- 31 – 04 July / August AM Full or PM 1 place
- 07 – 11 August AM Full or PM Full
- 14 – 18 August AM Full or PM Full
- 21 – 25 August AM Full or PM Full
- 28 – 01 August /Sept AM Full or PM Full place
Start Sailing RYA Stage 1 (Optimist) 7 – 10 yrs
For youngsters who have already completed an Optimist taster and wish to work towards a Stage 1 in an Optimist. This three day course teaches the basic skills and gives students a sturdy foothold in their journey into sailing.
This course is identical in content to the Pico Stage 1. The size of the Optimist as smaller boat means this course is best suited to age 7-10.
Cost: £251 (£299 in July, August & September)
Time: 10.00 – 4.30
Dates 2023:
- 10 – 12 July Full
- 17 – 19 July 1 place
- 24 – 26 July Full
- 31 – 02 July / August Full
- 07 – 09 August Full
- 14 – 16 August Full
- 21 – 23 August Full
- 28 – 30 August Full
Start Sailing Stage 2 (Optimist)
The next step up for a budding sailor. Learn new skills, go faster and have even more fun! This course focuses on improving turning manoeuvres, confidence on the water and ropework, while having just as much fun as the Stage 1 course!
The Optimist Stage 2 is identical in content to the Pico Stage 2 and due to the smaller size of the Optimist is best suited to children aged 7-11.
Cost: £251 (£299 in July & August)
Time: 10.00 – 4.30
Dates 2023:
- 03 – 05 August 1 place
- 17 – 19 August FULL
- 31 – 02 August-September FULL
Start Sailing RYA Stage 1 (Pico) 10 – 15 yrs
The best way to start sailing in a Pico single-handed dinghy. This three day course will teach youngsters how to rig, launch, turn the boat, sail around a short course and recover from a capsize!
This course is the same in content as the Optimist Stage 1. Due to the larger size of the Pico, this boat requires a bit more strength than a Optimist and is a step up! Therefore, we recommend this course for young sailors who are 11 or older, especially if they are moving up from Optimist to Pico.
Cost: £251 (£299 in July, August & September)
Time: 10.00 – 4.30
Dates 2023:
- 10 – 12 April
- 29 – 31 May
- 10 – 12 July FULL
- 17 – 29 July FULL
- 24 – 26 July FULL
- 31 – 02 July – August FULL
- 07 – 09 August FULL
- 14 – 16 August FULL
- 21 – 23 August FULL
- 28 – 30 August FULL
Start Sailing Stage 2 (Pico)
The next step up for a budding sailor. Learn new skills, go faster and have even more fun! This course focuses on improving turning manoeuvres, confidence on the water and ropework, while having just as much fun as the Stage 1 course!
The Pico Stage 2 is identical in content to the Optimist Stage 2, due to the larger size of the Pico we recommend this course is taken by those who are 11+ and have completed a Pico Stage 1.
Cost: £251 (£299 in July, August & September)
Time: 10.00 – 4.30
Dates 2023:
- 29 – 31 May
- 17 – 19 July FULL
- 24 – 26 July FULL
- 31 – 02 July – August 2 Places
- 07 – 09 August FULL
- 14 – 16 August FULL
- 21 – 23 August FULL
- 28 – 30 August FULL
Start Sailing RYA Stage 3
For the young sailor who is looking for a new challenge. The RYA Stage 3 is a step up from the Pico Stage 2, introducing students to capsize drills, safe recovery, basic racing and even more skills! They will be amazed at how quickly they learn and improve over the course of one week!
Cost: £392 (£425 in July & August)
Time: 10.00 – 4.30
Dates 2023:
- 10 – 14 April
- 24 – 28 July FULL
- 07 – 11 August FULL
- 21 – 25 August FULL
Start Sailing RYA Stage 4
The final stage of the youth sailing scheme and your biggest challenge yet! With five days on the water, this course covers helming, crewing skills, roll tacking, gybing, sailing a course efficiently and spinnaker work too! This is the best course for the student looking to perfect their boat skill and show off their sailing knowhow!
Cost: £392 (£425 in July & August)
Time: 10.00 – 4.30
Dates 2023:
- 10 – 14 July 3 Places
31 – 02 July – August 3 Places
- 14 – 18 August 3 Places
On completion of Stage 4, the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme provides the student with a natural entry point for the advanced courses in the National Sailing Scheme. You can also take your new skills into Seamanship and Spinnaker or even some racing! There’s so much you can do with a RYA Sailing Scheme!
What the parents say…
Brilliant sailing courses, the children had the best week. Money well spent!
Fantastic introduction to sailing. The kids really loved the fun-based approach and are hooked! The centre couldn’t have been more welcoming and helpful. Thoroughly recommended.
