Students who complete the RYA Level 1 course and who enrol for RYA Level 2 are able to sail at open sessions at DSWC. Centre staff encourage students to maintain their skills whilst awaiting their Level 2 course by attending evening open sailing sessions.
This course is the second part of the RYA training scheme and for those who have completed the level 1 course or who have the equivalent experience. Its aim is to consolidate your basic knowledge of sailing, develop an awareness of safety and by the end of the course to be capable of sailing a dinghy without an instructor on board in light winds.
Rigging - Rigging a dinghy according to weather conditions. Reefing ashore. l Ropework Bowline l Launching & Recovery - Storage of dinghies ashore. Launching & Recovery. Paddling a sailing dinghy around a short triangular course. Rowing a boat around a short triangular course. Coming alongside and making fast. l Sailing Techniques & Manoeuvres - The five essentials (sail setting, balance, trim, centreboard and course made good). Leaving and returning to a jetty or mooring. Coming alongside a moored boat. Basic rules of the road (port and starboard, windward boat, overtaking boat). Awareness of lee shore dangers. Sailing in close company with others. Man overboard recovery. l Capsize Recovery - Practical experience of one method. Knowledge of one other procedure. l Racing - The course. Starting procedure.
Sailing Theory & Background - Points of sailing. No Go Zone. Basic aerodynamic theory (how a sail works). Sea sailing (basic advice for inland sailors): Local tide tables. Tidal sequence. Springs and neaps. Ebb and flow. Taking local advice. Anchoring. Telling someone ashore. Relationship between ride and wind. Relative speed with/against current. Estuaries and harbour mouths. Inland sailing (basic advice). Local byelaws, permits. Overhead power lines, locks and weirs. First aid and resuscitation (expired air resuscitation). Recovery position. How to stop bleeding. How to treat shock. How to treat hypothermia l Meteorology - Sources of information. Weather and shipping forecasts. When to reef. l Clothing & Equipment - Personal safety (clothing and buoyancy). Boat buoyancy and basic equipment (anchor, paddle and bucket). Safety Equipment (visual methods of attracting attention - care and use of distress flares). Action to help those in distress.
- Students are invited to attend weekend courses. Start time at weekends is 9.30 am. Courses are usually completed between 5.30 and 6.00pm. Course dates and detail are available below
Includes an RYA logbook, all tuition, use of equipment including safety equipment (personal buoyancy) course notes and handouts, lunches, tea, coffee and membership to the DSWC (for the duration of the course) .
COST £170 non members - £150 members
Membership of DSWC entitles members to reduced course fees as well as free
use of Centre craft (as appropriate to members skill and prevailing weather
conditions). Membership details are available on the net and in the Centre foyer.