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RYA Level 1 – Start Sailing (Keelboat) 1st & 2nd July 2023
July 1 @ 9:00 am – July 2 @ 5:00 pm

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