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RYA YOUNG SAILORS SCHEME

Start Sailing: Stage 1, Stage 2, & Stage 3

This part of the scheme provides an introduction to dinghy sailing in three easy steps, after which you will be safety conscious and able to sail confidently in light winds.

Racing

Advanced Sailing
RACING RED BADGE
An introduction to dinghy racing at club level for competent helms or crew 		ADVANCED SAILING RED BADGE
Developing basic skills to sail more efficiently.
RACING WHITE BADGE
Improving techniques to open meeting and regatta standard 		ADVANCED SAILING WHITE BADGE
Developing traditional boat handling and seamanship skills for more independent sailing.
RACING BLUE BADGE
For red and white badge holders or experienced racing helms or crews, in preparation for national events. 		ADVANCED SAILING BLUE BADGE
Practical skills and background knowledge for independent, confident and safe sailing, and capable of handling a dinghy in strong winds. These skills are similar to the pre-entry requirements for potential Dinghy Instructors.

RYA NATIONAL SAILING SCHEME 14 plus
LEVEL 1
Start Sailing		 LEVEL 2
Basic Skills		 LEVEL 3
Improving Techniques		 LEVEL 4
Racing Techniques		 LEVEL 5
Advanced Skills

RIGGING

 Wind awareness, rigging a training boat. Rigging a training dinghy or dayboat, reefing ashore, parts of the boat and sails. As level 2 (using all the boat's equipment) Rigging a racing boat as appropriate, rig tuning controls. Rigging any type of dinghy or dayboat including spinnaker/trapeze

ROPE WORK

 Figure of eight, round turn & two half hitches. Bowline Fisherman's bend splicing/sealing, whipping, sheetbend, clovehitch, rolling hitch.

LAUNCHING RECOVERY

 Wind awareness, use of trolley, launching, leaving the shore, coming ashore. Storage ashore, paddling/rowing Leaving/returning to beach, jetty or mooring. Windward/leeward shores. Use of anchor. As Level 3.
Sailing backwards.

SAILING TECHNIQUES & MANEUVERS

 Wind awareness, reaching, stopping, tacking, getting out of irons, sailing upwind and downwind. The Five Essentials: sail setting, balance, trim, centreboard, & course made good. Man overboard recovery. Anchoring, heaving to, reefing afloat, towing/being towed. Advanced tacking/gybing, sailing to windward, mark rounding. As Level 3 using all boat's equipment to best advantage, rudderless sailing, sailing without a centreboard, sailing in a tight circle.

CAPSIZE & RECOVERY

 Stay with boat. Righting - scoop, righting a single-hander. Righting an inverted dinghy As Level 3 plus full bailing.

RACING

 Clubs and Classes The course, starting procedure. Mark rounding Starting techniques, rules, tactics.

SAILING THEORY & BACKGROUND

 Basic rules: Port/Starboard, windward boat, overtaking boat. Points of sailing, No Go Zone, basic aerodynamic theory, buoyage, sea/inland advice. Sea terms, IRPCS. Handicap V Class racing, Club racing, Sailing Instructions, insurance. Navigation for dinghies and dayboats, construction and repair.

METEOROLOGY

 Onshore/offshore winds. Sources of the forecasts, when to reef. Simple met. & interpretation of forecasts. Local weather patterns, strategy. Detailed interpretation planning for day's journey.

CLOTHING EQUIPMENT

 Clothing, personal buoyancy. Clothing, personal buoyancy. Requirements for day's journey/cruising.