Otley Sailing Club
Register for the Thursday Youth Training 2026 The 12 sessions will be every Thursday of the Leeds Summer Term:
23 & 30 April 7, 14, 21 May 4, 11, 18, 25 June 2, 9, 16 July
We will be runningJunior & Youth Sailing: Stages 3 and 4and one or more of:Start RacingClub RacingSeamanship
Once we know which sailors have signed up to the Training we'll decide which courses to run.
Cancellation policyIf 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:1, Every attempt will be made to ensure the course takes place. However, Otley Sailing Club reserves the right to cancel a course at any time if it believes on reasonable grounds that cancellation is necessary due to unsuitable conditions.2, 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.3, 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.4, If a course has to be cancelled, Otley Sailing Club will offer Trainees the following options:4.1, a full refund of the course fee paid4.2, an alternative course on the same date or a different set of dates
The Otley Sailing Club liability does not extend beyond points 1-4 above.
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 scraps 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.
This Dinghy Sailing course is designed to follow the RYA "Start Sailing" and "Basic Skills" (Levels 1 & 2) Adult syllabus.
On successful completion of this course you will be able to sail a dinghy in any direction and rig and launch in moderate weather conditions. The RYA Level 2 certificate is an Internationally recognised sailing qualification and an indication that the holder has a basic level of understanding and practical competency.
The syllabus covers practical sessions such as rigging, launching and recovery, sailing techniques and manoeuvres, ropework and capsize recovery. Background theory includes subjects such as "rules of the road", basic meteorology, clothing and equipment and emergency equipment.
Tuition is given by trained and qualified RYA dinghy instructors and assistant instructors with an emphasis on safety and fun. There will be Powerboats on the water at all times to ensure your safety afloat.
The course will be run over 2 Thursday evenings and 2 weekends to give you maximum time to fulfil the requirements of the syllabus. It is really important that you can attend ALL of the practical and theory sessions as it is not guaranteed we can help you catch up with things missed.
Dates
Thursday Theory evenings 7pm - 9.30pm
2nd & 9th July 2026
Practical weekends 9am - 4pm
4/5 & 11/12 July 2026
Please note that the minimum age for the RYA Adult courses is 16. There is no maximum age, but you need to be agile enough to move quickly around a small small mobile craft.
If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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
These beginners sessions are aimed at complete beginners or novices (if you have done a stage 1/ 2 course some time ago and feel in need to a refresher before progressing to a Stage 3 course then these sessions will work for you too).
This is not a formal RYA 'Stage 1 course' but will follow the same principles & aims to get you sailing.
Price: £25 members, £35 non members
Who is it for? Members and non-members are welcome.
Ages 8 to 16 4 x Monday evening sessions in July. 6 July, 13 July, 20 July, 27 July
Arrive at 17:00. Changed & ready to get wet by briefing time at 17:30.
Off the water & debriefed by 19.00.
Equipment:
The water is still cold so wetsuits are strongly recommended. Failing that waterproof jacket/cag and layers. Shoes/wetsuit boots are compulsory (no crocs/bare feet).
Buoyancy aids are available to borrow.
Parents: Are welcome to stay on site, or leave once we're afloat. On the first session please introduce yourself to the training lead on arrival.
Enjoy a weekend of Camping, Sailing and Socialising with OSC as guests of Ullswater Yacht Club.
Book your camping (and regatta entry if you're doing that) directly at the Ulswater Yacht Club webiste: https://ullswateryachtclub.org/event/holiday-week-regatta-sat-2
Then also join our event whatsapp group here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/H0RxOj1IH9h7AWtWNqox6x so we know who is going from Otley & we can can make our own club plans nearer to the date.
Costs for the weekend at UTC are:
Camping / night £20
Campervan / night £25
The Ullswater Regatta Notice of Race is on the same webiste Booking page.
Full Details & booking forms are at the Ullswater Yacht Club website: https://ullswateryachtclub.org/event/holiday-week--1
If you're joining in the fun then please... a) book directly with UYC and then b) join our whatsapp group :https://chat.whatsapp.com/H0RxOj1IH9h7AWtWNqox6x so we know who's going from Otley & we can make some plans closer to the time.
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The club is holding its traditional Holiday Week from August 3 - 7.
The popular week, which is open to visitors, offers a combination of racing, kids' club, tuition, leisure sailing and family fun on and off the water, as well as daytime and evening entertainment and catering.
There's a packed five-day programme which includes Supper Ducklings and Sailing Lessons on a morning and racing on an afternoon with a prizegiving every day.
Tents and Motorhomes (sorry no caravans) are welcome on the club's 'Birkett field' with its stunning lake views.
The clubhouse, changing rooms and showers will be open and there'll be some evening meals, which must be pre-booked Monday to Friday.
Holiday Week Tickets Five Day Pass - £50 per UYC Membership / £250 for visitors which includes temporary membership and overnight camping.
One Day Pass - £10 per UYC Membership / £50 for visitors which includes temporary membership and overnight camping.
RYA Courses are available during the week and can be booked on the UYS website : https://www.ullswatersailingschool.com/store-1/p/cgriia56ntncw3iv3166sflemh0j72-4nnpn
Ages 8 to 16 4 x Monday evening sessions in August : 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug
10:00 - 16:30 Monday 24th August to Wednesday 26 August
A full day of activities on and off the water for junior members of the club and their guests.
Price for all 3 days: £45 for members, £60 for non-members
Includes: use of club boats, buoyancy aids, plus snacks and drinks.
Bring your own packed lunch.
Families are welcome to camp on site, but note that the clubs activities will end at 16:30 each day.
Parents do not need to be on site during the day & emergency contact details will be required nearer the time
BOOK HERE.
The course will be run over 2 Tuesday evenings and 2 weekends to give you maximum time to fulfil the requirements of the syllabus. It is really important that you can attend ALL of the practical and theory sessions as it is not guaranteed we can help you catch up with things missed.
Tuesday Theory evenings 7pm - 9.30pm
1st & 8th September 2026
5/6 & 12/13 September 2026
Registered Charity Number : 1160253
