RYA Youth Training Sessions. Stages 1 & 2
This is a beginners sailing course (RYA Stage 1 & 2) aimed at OSC member Juniors (age 8 and above) with little or no experience. The course will cover launching and recovery, sailing across the wind, turning around, steering and basic parts of the boat. By the end of the course the juniors should be able to sail a shallow triangle, steer and understand the basic principles of sailing.
The course will be over 4 days, from 9.30am until 4.30pm on Friday 3rd to Monday 6th April 2026
In addition to enjoyment and learning new skills, safety is of paramount importance during Otley Sailing Club courses. Water sports can be hazardous by their nature and participants, parents or guardians must accept that there are risks and the inevitable bumps and scrapes which happen during the thrills and spills of fast moving activities. To manage the risks so far as we are able, Otley sailing club has a ‘safe system of work’:
- We use RYA qualified Instructors.
- We provide a range of safety equipment for participant’s comfort and safety.
- We teach to RYA recommendations and guidelines.
- We have robust management and safety systems which have been inspected by approved bodies such as the RYA.
- We will modify/cancel an activity if we feel that there are unmanageable risks.
- All Instructors on the course have had a DBS Check and we have dedicated on shore and off shore team of helpers. We have first aiders on site at all times.
Please note that the Juniors will need the following:-
- All children must have a wet suit.
- Sailing boots or neoprene beach shoes need to be worn (or trainers that you don't mind getting wet). Crocs or similar are not suitable as they tend to be too slippery and fall off feet too easily..
- A packed lunch, drinks and snacks to keep them going.
- Sun cream, towel and lots of spare dry warm clothes.
Cancellations
If you need to cancel, please give us as much notice as you can.
If you cancel more than 4 weeks before the start of the course we will refund your course fee.
If you cancel within 4 weeks of the start of the course, a refund will only be given if we are able to fill your place.
Cancellation by Otley Sailing Club:
Every attempt will be made to ensure the course takes place. However, Otley Sailing Club reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a course at any time if it believes on reasonable grounds that cancellation is necessary due to unsuitable conditions.
Otley Sailing Club reserves the right to cancel a course at any time if the number of Trainees fails to reach a workable minimum, such numbers to be determined by Otley Sailing Club.
In all other cases, weekend courses may be cancelled up to 3 weeks prior to the start date. Longer courses may be cancelled up to 4 weeks prior to the starting date.
If a course has to be cancelled, Otley Sailing Club will offer Trainees the following options:
a full refund of the course fee paid
an alternative course on a different set of dates
Safety
In addition to enjoyment and learning new skills, safety is of paramount importance on all Otley Sailing Club courses. Clearly, water sports and adventure activities are hazardous by their nature and participants must accept that there are risks and the inevitable bumps and scrapes which happen during the thrills and spills of fast moving activities. To manage the risks so far as we are able, Otley Sailing Club has a 'safe system of work':
- we only use qualified experienced staff
- we provide a range of safety equipment for participants' comfort and safety.
- we provide safe equipment for your course.
- we teach to RYA recommendations and guidelines, in small groups.
- we have robust management and safety systems which have been inspected by approved bodies such as the RYA
- we reserve the right to modify or cancel an activity if we feel that there are unmanageable risks.
Insurance
Our boats and instructors carry public liability insurance, however sailing is a challenging adventure sport and we do not offer cover for any courses in respect of cancellation, curtailment of your course or self-caused accident to yourselves or others, if you are worried about this we recommend that you take out personal insurance.
