RYA Level 1 (Start Sailing) course is an ideal course for the novice with little to no sailing experience. The Colgate 26 keelboat we use to deliver our training is forgiving and stable with easy access from a pontoon mooring in Torquay Harbour.

By the end of the two-day course you will have a basic understanding of keelboat handling techniques and accompanying background knowledge. Once you have completed the course you can then go on to consolidate your knowledge with the RYA Level 2 (Basic Skills) and RYA Level 3 (Better Sailing) courses. We maintain a low student to instructor ratio of 3:1 to ensure as much time at the helm as possible.

Course Content

Practical Skills

Rigging

Spars and rigging, parts of the sail, sail controls and foils

Wind awareness whilst ashore

Sailing techniques

Wind awareness whilst afloat
Reaching – sailing across the wind
Stopping
Controlling speed
Getting out of irons
Tacking – turning the front of the boat through the wind
Sailing upwind
Sailing downwind
Gybing – turning the back of the boat through the wind
Communicating when manoeuvring

Sailing Theory

Clothing and Equipment

The importance of personal safety, clothing and buoyancy

Sailing Background

Awareness of other waters users
Basic rules of the road – collision avoidance, overtaking, power & sail
Visual methods of attracting attention

Meteorology

Awareness of onshore and offshore winds
Sources of weather information
The Beaufort Scale
Conditions appropriate to sailing ability and location

Keelboat Specifics

Clothing and Equipment

Use and correct fitting of lifejackets
Use of safety harnesses (where fitted)

Man Overboard Recovery

Use of mooring lines
Emergency equipment and precautions
Potential hazards of fuel and gas

Emergency Equipment

Stowage and use of fire extinguishers We will provide the boat and all the course materials, we only ask you to bring the following:

• Deck Shoes or non-slip white soled trainers
• Waterproofs
• Buoyancy Aid/Lifejacket (some are available to borrow)
• Older set of warm clothes (no jeans or tracksuit bottoms)
• Hat (either sun or woolly)
• Sun Tan Lotion
• Bottle of Water
• Any medication you may require

For more information please contact Sam

Contact Details

Sam Sale-Parkes

07811551367

sailingbysam@btinternet.com

Please note, course is subject to last minute cancellation due to poor weather or lack of uptake. In this instance you will be issued a full refund.

If you cancel within 48 hours of the training you will not receive a refund