Sailing Activities
We offer a varied programme from formal RYA approved training courses to expeditions, picnics and racing.
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme

RDYC Junior Sailing is an RYA accredited training centre. You will work towards your certificates in the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme. There are four stages which provide a progressive and enjoyable way of learning to sail.
Stages 1 & 2 give you a practical introduction to rigging,
launching and recovery, ropework, sailing techniques and manoeuvres, boat terminology, parts of the sail, rules of the road, meteorology, clothing and equipment.
Stages 3 & 4 build on your basic knowledge. By the end of Stage 4, you will have the skills to crew or helm a double-handed boat and solve a variety of problems afloat.
You will be given a log book to record your progress. It is signed off by RYA instructors as you go through. At the end of each stage, you will receive your RYA Certificate.
Fun & Games
Much of the formal training is wrapped up in fun and games. So you gain confidence and experience as you learn.

To help with boat handling, there are games such as
Catch-the-Corks
Follow-the-Leader
Cat-and-Mouse
To build confidence in boat buoyancy & tipping points we have
Walking on Water (pictured)
Sardines
Capsize Drill
To teach you about sail forces and balance there is
Backwards sailing (difficult, but possible!)
Rudderless sailing (not when the river is crowded!)
Round the Mast Tacking
Plus many more.
Mini-Expeditions and Picnics
All in the name of passage planning!
The older juniors take responsiblity for working out the tides, finding a safe anchorage, planning a coastal trip or finding a venue up-river.
There is usually time for a swim or BBQ ashore.
Broaden your experience aboard a keel boat where you do have to worry about tides and getting stuck in the mud.
Work with a modern asymmetric spinnaker that is so big it makes a dinghy spinnaker seem like a handkerchief!
Learn how to work with a larger crew.
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy yourself!