PSC TRAINING INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SAILING COURSES
This document presents information for the sailing courses run at Portchester Sailing Club.
The training programme at PSC is shown in the diagram below and follows the RYA
National and Youth Sailing Schemes. The diagram also shows how training fits in with the
other Club sailing activities available to our Members. Information on dates of specific
Training courses can be found in the Members’ Handbook and on the Club website.
March 2016
PORTCHESTER SAILING CLUB
TRAINING INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SAILING COURSES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What should I wear?
Please see the essential clothing list. You will need clothes suitable for the conditions of the
day as well as suitable footwear.
2. Do I need a buoyancy aid?
Yes. We will not take anyone on the water without one. The buoyancy aid should be the
right size for you and not be able to be pulled off over the head, when properly worn. The
minimum buoyancy required is 50N.
3. Who do I contact if I am unable to attend a training session?
Please contact your Course Coordinator, as soon as you know so that changes can be
relayed to the instructor and other members on stand-by notified.
4. When can I speak to my child’s instructor?
Please attend the de-brief session (with your child) at the end of each session/day. If the
matter is urgent, please contact the course co-ordinator, who will notify the instructor.
5. How long will the lunch break be?
The lunch break for Sailing sessions are fairly short, usually less than an hour. If you are
accompanying a child, you will be advised of the time when your child needs to be ready to
go back on the water. You will need packed lunches, as although the Club facilities are
available at weekends, short lunch breaks may mean that your food is not available before
you need to get back on the water.
6. If it is very windy/bad weather, will the training course proceed? Who makes
the decision to postpone the training?
Chances are the training sessions will stand as our instructor may take this opportunity to
teach the theory part of the training session in order to minimise impact on time on the
water, but the session may be shortened. If there is an advance weather warning and
time on the water is looking unlikely, the Course Coordinator will advise you that the
training session has been replaced by a theory session, been shortened or cancelled.
7. If my child is unable to attend every day of the course, will I get a refund?
We do not issue refunds, unless the Club cancels the course.
9. We have our own boat, would we be able to use it for training?
We currently use Fevas, Visions, Teras and Toppers for training. If you have a different
type of boat, please advise us when booking your course, as we may or may not be able to
accommodate your boat. Where private craft are used during the training sessions the
owners are responsible for ensuring the craft is seaworthy and correctly fitted out for
sailing. It is a requirement of membership for all boats used at the club to be insured.
11. Who do I contact, if I have a complaint?
We take all complaints very seriously. Although our instructors are volunteers, the Training
Section is an approved RYA Training Centre and we aim to offer high quality training for
Club Members.
If you have a complaint, please advise your instructor in the first instance. If you are not
happy with the response you receive, please advise your course co-ordinator and the
Senior Instructor in charge of the session/day. If you still did not receive an adequate
response, then please contact the RYA Principal/Training Secretary.
PORTCHESTER SAILING CLUB
TRAINING INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SAILING COURSES
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT LIST (for Dinghy courses)
The following is a list of all clothing and equipment required to be provided for each dinghy
course.
Our Operating Procedures require that participants, helpers and instructors as well as nonswimmers wear a buoyancy aid when taking part in Club training activities.
Buoyancy aid
All participants in club sailing must wear a suitable and correctly fitting buoyancy aid (min
50N).
Sailing Clothing Required
 Wet suit (shorts over the top to protect the wetsuit recommended)
 Swim wear (under wetsuit)
 Wind proof, warm top or sailing suit
 Hat (that can be tied on – with peak if possible to act as a sun shade)
 Sailing gloves (if you wish)
 It is a good idea to take a bottle of water to drink afloat with you
 Sun cream (even on overcast days)
Footwear Required
 Soft sole shoes that you don’t mind getting wet or Sailing boots
Post-sailing Requirements
 Towel and shower gear
 Warm clothing to change into after sailing
 Bag for wet clothing
Please ensure that all clothing and equipment is marked with the owner's name.
PORTCHESTER SAILING CLUB
TRAINING INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SAILING COURSES
RYA Youth Sailing Stage 1 (Junior)
Duration:
2 days minimum
Previous Experience:
No previous experience required
Course Details:
This course is highly practical with the majority of the time spent on the water and will
provide a short introduction to sailing for novices. By the end of the course, participants
will have a basic understanding of boat sailing including steering and handling techniques.
Includes launching and recovering. It is recommended that all participants consolidate this
short course with the RYA Stage 2 course.
Tuition is provided by our friendly trained instructors, using good supervision ratios and a
large fleet of training boats.
Price:
£60 course fee inclusive of log books and certificates
Next Steps:
RYA Stage 2
RYA Youth Sailing Stage 2 (Junior)
Duration:
2 days minimum
(Stage 1 and Stage 2 combined courses also available)
Previous Experience:
Stage 1 unless you are doing a combined Stage 1/ 2 course
Course Details:
The aim of the course will be to become a competent sailor in light winds with an
introduction to sailing techniques and manoeuvres, rigging, launching, capsize drill, safety
and basic rules of the road. By the end of the course students should be able to sail in light
winds without an in instructor on board.
Tuition is provided by our friendly trained instructors, using good supervision ratios and a
large fleet of training boats.
Price:
£60 course fee
Next Steps:
RYA Stage 3 Course
PORTCHESTER SAILING CLUB
TRAINING INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SAILING COURSES
RYA Youth Sailing Stage 3 (Junior)
Duration:
2 days minimum
Previous Experience:
Up to and including Stage 2.
Course Details:
This course is equivalent to Level 2 in the National Sailing Scheme and will include rigging,
launching and recovery, sailing techniques, capsize recovery and sailing theory. Upon
completion of the course, pupils will be able to launch and sail a dinghy in moderate
weather conditions.
Tuition is provided by our friendly trained instructors, using good supervision ratios and a
large fleet of training boats.
Price:
£60 course fee
Next Steps:
RYA Stage 4
RYA Youth Sailing Stage 4 (Junior)
Duration:
2 days minimum
Previous Experience:
Up to and including Stage 3
Course Details:
This course focuses on double handed dinghies as crew or helm and the ability to solve a
variety of problems afloat. It will involve tuition on rigging, launching and recovery, sailing
techniques and manoeuvres in crewed boats as well as recovering a man overboard.
Tuition is provided by our friendly trained instructors, using good supervision ratios and a
large fleet of training boats including our RS Visions.
Price:
£60 course fee
Next Steps:
Sailing with Spinnaker
Performance Sailing
Race Coaching
Club Racing