Sailing
Discover the full range of RYA-accredited sailing courses available at Stewartby Water Sports Club Sailing School. From introductory courses to advanced modules, we offer a comprehensive path for adults and youth to develop their sailing skills in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Each course is designed to build your confidence on the water through hands-on learning and expert instruction.
All 2025 course dates can be found in our calendar or on the main courses page.
To book a course or for more information, please email learn2sail@stewartbywatersportsclub.co.uk.
Adult Sailing Courses
We offer RYA-accredited courses that guide you from beginner to advanced levels in a safe and supportive environment. These short courses, run over two days, focus on hands-on learning to help you build confidence on the water.
Dinghy Level 1 Start Sailing
Course content
How to sail in all directions, including an awareness of launching and recovering.
Experience needed
None
Age requirements
Recommended age 14+ (we advise younger participants to take part in the RYA Youth Sailing Stage 1).
Instructor to student ratio
1:6
Course length
2 Days
Course material included
Logbook and certificate on successful completion of the course.
Cost
Member price - £135
Non-member price - £160
Dinghy Level 2 Basic Skills
Course content
Rigging, launching and building confidence sailing in all directions. Capsize recovery and essential safety knowledge.
Experience needed
Sailing skills to the standard of Level 1 Start Sailing
Age requirements
Recommended age 14+ (we advise younger participants to take part in the RYA Youth Sailing Stage 1).
Instructor to student ratio
1:6
Course length
2 Days
Course material included
Logbook and certificate on successful completion of the course.
Cost
Member price - £135
Non-member price - £160
Dinghy Level 3 Better Sailing
Course content
Further coaching to consolidate the skills learned during Level 1 - Start Sailing, and Level 2 - Basic Skills. Short taster sessions from the advanced modules such as Day Sailing and Seamanship skills.
Experience needed
Sailing skills to the standard of Level 2 Basic Skills.
Age requirements
Recommended age 14+ (we advise younger participants to take part in the RYA Youth Sailing Stage 1).
Instructor to student ratio
1:6
Course length
2 Days
Course material included
Logbook and certificate on successful completion of the course.
Cost
Member price - £135
Non-member price - £160
Youth Sailing Courses
Our RYA Youth Sailing Scheme courses take part in in small dinghies, tailored to the sailors size, to ensure a fun, safe, and supportive environment. Led by expert instructors, these courses help young sailors build skills, confidence, and a love for the water.
For these courses there must be an adult on site for all under 14s.
Start Sailing Stage 1
Course content
Launching and recovery, sailing across the wind, turning around, steering and basic parts of the boat.
Experience needed
None.
Age requirements
8+
Instructor to student ratio
1:6
Course length
2 Days
Course material included
Logbook and certificate on successful completion of the course.
Cost
Member price - £110
Non-member price - £130
Start Sailing Stage 2
Course content
Improved sailing skills on all points of sail. Tacking, gybing, ropework and collision avoidance.
Experience needed
Sailing skills to the standard of Stage 1.
Age requirements
8+
Instructor to student ratio
1:6
Course length
2 Days
Course material included
Logbook and certificate on successful completion of the course.
Cost
Member price - £110
Non-member price - £130
Start Sailing Stage 3
Course content
Improved sailing skills on all points of sail. Tacking, gybing, ropework and collision avoidance.
Experience needed
Sailing skills to the standard of Stage 2.
Age requirements
8+
Instructor to student ratio
1:6
Course length
2 Days
Course material included
Logbook and certificate on successful completion of the course.
Cost
Member price - £110
Non-member price - £130
Start Sailing Stage 4
Course content
Transferring pre-learnt skills, techniques and manoeuvres to sail crewed boats, enhance rigging, launching, recovery and practical skills to recover a man overboard.
Experience needed
Sailing skills to the standard of Stage 3.
Age requirements
8+
Instructor to student ratio
1:6
Course length
2 Days
Course material included
Logbook and certificate on successful completion of the course.
Cost
Member price - £110
Non-member price - £130
Advanced Sailing Courses
Building on the foundational RYA courses, our advanced modules let you tailor your training to match your sailing interests. Open to both adults and young people, these courses deepen your skills and enhance your experience on the water.
Seamanship Skills
Course content
Launching and recovering the boat in different circumstances. Stopping, reducing sail, recovering a man overboard and picking up a mooring.
Experience needed
Sailing skills to the standard of Level 3 Better Sailing or Stage 4.
Age requirements
14+
Instructor to student ratio
1:9
Course length
2 Days
Course material included
Logbook and certificate on successful completion of the course.
Cost
Member price - £135
Non-member price - £160
Sailing With Spinnakers
Course content
Learn how to rig the boat, hoist, gybe and drop/recover one type of spinnaker, either conventional or asymmetric. Gain the knowledge and understanding to sail the best possible course downwind.
Experience needed
Sailing skills to the standard of Level 3 Better Sailing or Stage 4.
Age requirements
14+
Instructor to student ratio
1:9 in double handers or 1:6 in single handers.
Course length
2 Days
Course material included
Logbook and certificate on successful completion of the course.
Cost
Member price - £135
Non-member price - £160
Start Racing
Course content
All the skills required to start club racing, including basic start sequences and timing; improved tacking and gybing, using the 5 essentials to best effect and having a basic understanding of the racing rules
Experience needed
Sailing skills to at least the standard of Level Basic Skills or Stage 3.
Age requirements
None.
Instructor to student ratio
1:9 in double handers, 1:6 in single handers
Course length
2 Days
Course material included
Logbook and certificate on successful completion of the course.
Cost
Member price - £135
Non-member price - £160
Last updated 21:21 on 28 April 2025