RYA Dinghy Instructor

Our instructor course qualifies instructors to teach dinghies in coastal waters. Candidates must be aged 16 or above, have completed the pre-entry assessment within 12 months of taking the course, have a valid First Aid certificate, Powerboat Level 2 certificate, RYA Safe and Fun safeguarding certificate and have pre-course work completed. Once completed the Instructor certificate is valid for 5 years.

 Minimum age: 16

Pre-assessment: before being accepted onto an instructor course, candidates need to pass an assessment of their sailing skills. This is to make sure the right sailing ability is held to be eligible to become an instructor. The Pre-Assessment can be completed over 2 days (to include 1 day tuition) or 1 day (assessment) and determines whether the candidate has the required sailing ability to become an instructor as this 5 day course leaves little time for training to improve on sailing skills. The candidate should be able to complete the following tasks sailing at all times with an awareness of 'the Five Essentials' i.e. sail setting, balance, trim, centreboard and course sailed.

During the assessment the candidate will be asked to complete the following:

• Sail around a triangular course of 100m (minimum) legs to the best of their ability using all the boat’s normal equipment, including spinnaker if carried.
• Sail a tight circular course around a stationary boat, making only one tack and one gybe.
• Sail a ‘follow my leader’ course behind another boat. The course may include all points of sailing and may be behind another sailing dinghy or behind a powered boat.
• Pick up a man overboard dummy; the boat to be stopped and more than one attempt should not be needed.

You may also be asked to complete some of the following:

• Sail without a rudder, or with the tiller on a loose elastic around a triangular course. You will be expected to make good progress around the course (not applicable to keelboat or multihull instructor candidates).
• Lee shore landing and departure
• Anchor or pick up a mooring - wind against tide (if appropriate)
• Come along-side a moored boat - wind against tide (if appropriate) Recover a capsized dinghy and sail away (not keelboats)

The instructor course covers:

• Teaching techniques ashore and afloat for adults and children
• Preparation and presentation of lessons
• Preparation and use of visual aids
• The assessment of student’ abilities
• Written paper (or oral test) covering teaching methods and background
• The use of powered craft in a teaching environment

Dinghy Instructor Course Moderation/Assessment

This course will be moderated by an outside coach/assessor who has not been involved in the training. Moderation will take place immediately following the training course.

Moderation will cover:

• practical teaching afloat
• teaching ashore
• teaching a land drill
• a short 5 minute presentation (optional)

Pre-assessment: 

2 day course: £265 - 2 day preparation, 1 day moderation

If you feel your sailing is already up to scratch there is the option to do just the 1 day assessment that usually takes place on the third day.

1 day: £165 (assessment only)  - please call the office if you wish to book this.

Dinghy Instructors:

5 day intensive course: £495 - 4 days preparation, 1 day moderation

RYA Dinghy Instructors certificate.

An RYA Dinghy Instructor is trained to teach the National Sailing Scheme Level 1, 2, 3, Seamanship Skills, Day Sailing, Sailing with Spinnakers and Youth Sailing Scheme Stage 1-4.