This is the RYA dinghy scheme.  At Weir Wood, we offer all the courses, but not necessarily every year.   If there are no dates for a course you’re interested in, or you would like any other information, please contact us below;

Start Sailing (Level 1)

Pre-course experience	None
Assumed knowledge	None
Course content	Introduction to the sport of sailing. Covers all you need to know to get afloat under supervision.
Ability after course	Able to sail under supervision in light winds
Duration	2 days

Basic Skills (Level 2)

Pre-course experience	Start Sailing (Level 1) or a little experience
Assumed knowledge	Know what to wear and have sailed under supervision
Course content	Rigging, launching, sailing in all directions. Capsize recovery and essential safety background
Ability after course	Able to sail safely and make sensible decisions in light winds
Duration	2 days

Better Sailing (Level 3)

Pre-course experience	Basic Skills (Level 2) or skills to that level
Assumed knowledge	Basic Skills (Level 2) or knowledge to that level
Course content	Coaching of level 1 and 2 skills and taster sessions from the advanced modules
Ability after course	More confident in sailing skills and techniques, and ready to progress onto the advanced modules
Duration	2 days

Start Racing

Pre-course experience	At least one season’s sailing
Assumed knowledge	Basic Skills (Level 2) or knowledge to that level
Course content	All the skills required to enjoy club racing including how to maximise boat speed and how to outwit your opponents.  Particularly recommended for anyone who would like to become an INSTRUCTOR.
Ability after course	Able to take part in club racing in good conditions (depending on experience)
Duration	2 days

Seamanship Skills

Pre-course experience	At least one season’s sailing
Assumed knowledge	Basic Skills (Level 2) or knowledge to that level
Course content	Training includes: launching and recovering the boat in different circumstances, stopping, reducing sail ashore and afloat, recovering a man overboard, anchoring.  Particularly recommended for anyone who would like to become an INSTRUCTOR.
Ability after course	Able to handle a wide range of situations afloat in moderate winds
Duration	2 days

Performance Sailing

Pre-course experience	At least one season’s sailing after Level 2
Assumed knowledge	Basic Skills (Level 2) or knowledge to that level
Course content	Coaching to improve your sailing, primarily in high-performance two person boats with spinnakers
Ability after course	Able to sail faster and more efficiently in all conditions
Duration	2 days

Sailing with Spinnakers

Pre-course experience	At least one season’s sailing after Level 2
Assumed knowledge	Basic Skills (Level 2) or knowledge to that level
Course content	How to rig the boat, gybe and recover one type of spinnaker, either conventional or asymmetric. How to sail the best possible course downwind
Ability after course	Able to use one type of spinnaker, conventional or asymmetric
Duration	2 days