sailing on the helford river
Youth Sailing
Our youth sailing courses cater to everyone from complete beginners to seasoned sailors.
Working towards the RYA Youth syllabus, sessions are taught by RYA Instructors through a mixture of formal and informal practical and theory sessions. The focus is on creating a fun environment where all students are able to develop at their own pace.
RYA certification is awarded upon successful completion of the syllabus, and while we cannot guarantee certification, our ambition is to get the best out of all our students during their time with us.
Offered from Easter all the way through to the Autumn half term for children aged 8-15 years.
Your Course Options
Sailors will learn the basics of controlling the boat and how to confidently handle capsizing. Wind and weather allowing, we aim to have a group sailing expedition to the other side of the Helford River on every course – a true sailing adventure!
Course Aim: working towards RYA Stages 1 & 2
Who the course is aimed for: complete beginners, nervous Stage 1 sailors, sailors who have been off the water for a while
Age Range: 8-15 years
Duration: 4-half day course in the school holidays or ‘terms’ (midweek and weekends) during school term time
Maximum Teaching Ratio: 6:1
Boats Used: Single-hander dinghies
Cost: from £135
Included in the cost of the course:
- RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Logbook (those who haven’t been issued one previously)
- RYA Certificate (upon successful completion of Stages)
- All specialist kit (buoyancy aid, helmet, dinghy equipment)
Additional items you will need to bring:
- Suitable footwear & outdoor clothing
- Refreshments (minimum water bottle)
A comprehensive list of items to bring will be available in the joining instructions.
An ideal midweek course to refresh the Stage 1 skills prior to attending the Improver Sailing course. Ideal for those who have completed a school sailing term with us!
Course Aim: refreshing and honing RYA Stage 1 skills
Who the course is aimed for: nervous Stage 1 sailors, sailors who have been off the water for a while
Age Range: 8-15 years
Duration: New for 2022 -offered as a midweek term
Maximum Teaching Ratio: 6:1
Boats Used: Single-hander dinghies
Cost: from £135
Included in the cost of the course:
- All specialist kit (buoyancy aid, helmet, dinghy equipment)
Additional items you will need to bring:
- Suitable footwear & outdoor clothing
- Refreshments (minimum water bottle)
A comprehensive list of items to bring will be available in the joining instructions.
Sailors hone their sailing skills through learning about the 5 essentials, how to gybe safely, developing wind awareness and developing their boat handling skills through manoeuvres such as leaving and returning to the beach in any wind direction. Wind and weather allowing, we aim to have a group sailing expedition to the other side of the Helford River on every course – a true sailing adventure!
Course Aim: working towards RYA Stages 2 & 3
Who the course is aimed for: confident RYA Stage 1 sailors (or equivalent experience) and above
Age Range: 8-15 years
Duration: 4-half day course in the school holidays or ‘terms’ (midweek and weekends) during school term time
Maximum Teaching Ratio: 6:1
Boats Used: Single-hander dinghies
Cost: from £135
Included in the cost of the course:
- RYA Certificate (upon successful completion of Stages)
- All specialist kit (buoyancy aid, helmet, dinghy equipment)
Additional items you will need to bring:
- RYA Youth Sailing Logbook
- Suitable footwear & outdoor clothing
- Refreshments (minimum water bottle)
A comprehensive list of items to bring will be available in the joining instructions.
Sailors develop teamwork and communication in this course that introduces the doublehanded dinghy. Refine the RYA Stage 3 skills in this slightly larger boat, whilst developing the teamwork required to sail with a crew aboard.
Course Aim: working towards RYA Stage 4
Who the course is aimed for: confident RYA Stage 3 sailors (or equivalent experience)
Age Range: 10-15 years
Duration: 4-half day course in the school holidays
Maximum Teaching Ratio: 9:1
Boats Used: Double-hander dinghies (typically RS Feva)
Included in the cost of the course:
- RYA Certificate (upon successful completion of Stages)
- All specialist kit (buoyancy aid, helmet, dinghy equipment)
Additional items you will need to bring:
- RYA Youth Sailing Logbook
- Suitable footwear & outdoor clothing
- Refreshments (minimum water bottle)
A comprehensive list of items to bring will be available in the joining instructions.
Ideal for those who sailors who want to experience the competitive side of sailing. This course practices key skills associated within the racing environment.
Techniques taught include how to get a good start, building up speed, racing tactics and racing rules. On the water, you can also practice specific techniques used in racing such as rabbit starts, elephant ears and trigger pull starts.
Course Aim: working towards RYA Start Racing
Who the course is aimed for: confident RYA Stage 3 sailors (or equivalent experience)
Age Range: 8-15 years
Duration: 4-half day course in the school holidays
Maximum Teaching Ratio: 6:1
Boats Used: Single-hander dinghies (typically RS Tera)
Included in the cost of the course:
- RYA Certificate (upon successful completion of Stages)
- All specialist kit (buoyancy aid, helmet, dinghy equipment)
Additional items you will need to bring:
- RYA Youth Sailing Logbook
- Suitable footwear & outdoor clothing
- Refreshments (minimum water bottle)
A comprehensive list of items to bring will be available in the joining instructions.
For accomplished sailors, this course focusses on two of the advanced modules of the RYA National Sailing Scheme.
After completion of all elements you will have the skills and knowledge to use an asymmetric spinnaker and deal with adverse conditions such as sailing without a rudder!
Course Aim: working towards RYA Seamanship Skills & RYA Sailing with Spinnakers
Who the course is aimed for: confident RYA Stage 4 sailors (or equivalent experience)
Age Range: 10-15 years
Duration: 4-half day course in the school holidays
Maximum Teaching Ratio: 8:1
Boats Used: Double-hander dinghies (typically RS Feva’s & 2000’s)
Included in the cost of the course:
- RYA Certificate (upon successful completion of Levels)
- All specialist kit (buoyancy aid, helmet, dinghy equipment)
Additional items you will need to bring:
- RYA Youth Sailing Logbook or RYA National Sailing Logbook
- Suitable footwear & outdoor clothing
- Refreshments (minimum water bottle)
A comprehensive list of items to bring will be available in the joining instructions.
When are the courses?
Courses are offered on various weeks throughout the school holiday programme
Additionally ‘Beginner Sailing’ and ‘Stage 1 Club’ are offered during school term time as ‘Sailing Terms’ at either the weekend or midweek
Our holiday courses have proven to be a great way for visiting and local children to get to know each other through a challenging and rewarding experience. Our team of RYA Instructors, volunteers and helpers will ensure that every session is carefully managed, educational and most importantly fun! Whilst the main focus is on sailing, other activities may be included should the conditions make sailing unfeasible.
Dates: The 2022 holiday weeks are weeks commencing: 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 30 May, 25 Jul, 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 25 Oct (please note not all courses are offered every week, you can view dates in the booking calendar below or by downloading the timetable in the link above)
Days: Each course is Monday to Thursday
Times: Morning session times: 0915-1215 / Afternoon session times: 1330-1630
Pick up Points: we can pick up/drop off sailors from either the North side (Ferryboat Beach) or South side (Helford River Sailing Club pontoon or nearby location dependent on tide
Our youth terms are ideal to develop and progress your sailing skills throughout the sailing season. Beginner or Improver sailing terms are 3 times a year from Easter to Autumn half term alongside the standard school term dates. Our team of RYA Instructors, volunteers and helpers will ensure that every session is carefully managed, educational and most importantly fun! Whilst the main focus is on sailing, other activities may be included should the conditions make sailing unfeasible.
Dates: Weekend sailing terms are 5 x 3hr sessions. Dates for 2022 are…
Term 1: 30 April – 28 May
Term 2: 11 June – 09 July
Term 3: 10 Sept – 8 Oct
Sessions Details: Beginner Sailing (Saturdays 1330-1630) / Improver Sailing (Saturdays 0915-1215)
Pick up Points: we can pick up/drop off sailors from either the North side (Ferryboat Beach) or South side (Helford River Sailing Club pontoon or nearby location dependent on tide)
Our youth terms are ideal to develop and progress your sailing skills throughout the sailing season. Beginner or Improver sailing terms are 3 times a year from Easter to Autumn half term alongside the standard school term dates. Our team of RYA Instructors, volunteers and helpers will ensure that every session is carefully managed, educational and most importantly fun! Whilst the main focus is on sailing, other activities may be included should the conditions make sailing unfeasible.
Dates: Midweek sailing terms are 5 x 2.5hr sessions. Dates for 2022 are…
Term 1: Wednesdays w/c 25 April – w/c 23 May
Term 2: Wednesdays w/c 8 June – w/c 4 July
Term 3: Wednesdays w/c 12 Sept – w/c 10 Oct
Session Times: 1600-1830
Pick up Points: we can pick up/drop off sailors from either the North side (Ferryboat Beach) or South side (Helford River Sailing Club pontoon or nearby location dependent on tide)
Can't find what you need?
We offer bespoke courses, dates and packages tailored to your needs.
Please call us on T: 01326 702326 to discuss the range of options available
Under 8s
Children below the age of 8 can still have an enjoyable and instructive time with us. Our goal is to make sure that all children gain skills whilst having a fun and friendly experience.
Have a look at our Multi-Activity: Ducklings sessions at Trevassack Lake for watersport sessions specifically for those aged 6-8.
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