Junior Saturday Sailing
Quick Printable Guide to the Racing and Training Programme 2021
Starting in spring 2021, RHYC Junior Sailing will be organised by way of the Spond App, which is free. If you’re interested in signing your children up to Junior Sailing sessions this year then please get in touch with the office
at RHYC who will send you an invitation to join the app.
Sailing sessions will be visible on here and once you are signed up to the app you will receive invitations to the sessions
which will go out to everyone 2 weeks in advance allowing you to sign up for the sessions you want. Payment will be taken
on the app and boats can be booked this way too. All information regarding the training sessions will be sent out on the
app so no more searching through emails!
We hope that this will make communication easier and help to create a fantastic
junior sailing community.
Claire and Josh Richardson - Junior Sailing.
Each session starts with a briefing, with children already changed and boats rigged. An adult must remain at RHYC throughout.
Junior sailing groups
Lion Cubs started in 2018 and is aimed at children aged five to seven, who want to give sailing a go. The emphasis is on building confidence and swapping in and out of boats, rather than each child being allotted their own boat for the full session. Due to the sailors’ age, Lion Cubs will last two hours, rather than three hours, will start later in the year and will finish earlier. Club Optimists will be provided so there is no need to hire a boat for this group. ** Please note Lion Cubs starts 30 minutes later, the session lasts 2 hours.
Offering a fun introduction to sailing from age eight upwards (seven-year-olds will be considered on a discretionary basis), these three-hour sessions aim to get children out on the water and learning new skills.
Beginners: a fun introduction to sailing from age 8 upwards.
Intermediate: follow on training for age 8 upwards. Participants will need to have completed either a season of junior sailing at RHYC or have their RYA Level 2.
Experienced: participants will need to have completed at least two seasons of junior sailing at RHYC or hold at least RYA Level 3 and been invited by one of the Senior Instructors to join.
If you’re unsure
which group to book your child in to please check with the office.
Optimists and Toppers are available to hire through the RHYC website for those who don’t have their own boat. We strongly encourage those in the Intermediate group to buy their own Optimist as club boats are set up for beginners.
When they're ready, Lions Race Training gives juniors the chance to go on to develop their seamanship, as well as racing skills.
It’s largely sailed in Optimists and Toppers, but Teras are welcome. Sailors should be at RYA Level 3 or above, be capable of self-rescue and be able to sail around a triangular course competently in a Force 3. Unfortunately, the club’s Optimists are not suitable to hire for this group as they are not set up for racing.
What you will need:
- Sailors:
- Adults on RIB's:
- Adults assisting with Launch / Recovery:


Volunteers:
Junior sailing at RHYC is only made possible thanks to volunteers. If you're able to help with rescue boat cover, shore party duty or instructing then do let us know on the app.
A quote from a parent:
“Just wanted to drop you a note to say how good the On Board is at RHYC. I spoke to the office yesterday who were very happy to roll the payment for the unattended session the other day to the next one and over all they are great to deal with. We're finding the whole experience friendly, organised, safe, value for money and fun and the location is great too.”