Adult and family
sailing at Southmere

 

Text Box: Learning to sail is great fun and provides a tremendous opportunity to gain new skills. Our courses are held on Southmere Lake - the perfect environment for learning to sail safely. They run on Saturdays, last two weeks and are part of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA)'s national training scheme.
We use five types of boats for teaching: bosuns, toppers, lasers, laser 2000s and topper magno sports. 
RYA Level 1 Start Sailing 
The foundation level dinghy sailing award, taught over two Saturdays. 
The course includes:
Basic sailing techniques, essential theory and use of equipment.
DATES: Course start dates are: 
April 2nd, May 7th, June 4th, July 2nd, Sept 3rd, Oct 1st 2011.
TIMES: Saturdays 10:00 to 16:00
RYA Level 2 Basic Skills
This course is for those that have some experience of sailing (and ideally already hold the RYA Level 1 Start Sailing award) and allows you to develop your sailing skills. 
DATES: Course start dates are:
April 16th, May 21st, June 18th, July 16th, Sept 17th, Oct 15th 2011.
TIMES: Saturdays 10.00 to 16.00
Coastal Endorsements for RYA Level 2 Basic Skills: 

DATES: March 27th, June 26th, Sept 11th 2011
TIMES: Sundays all day

After RYA Level 2, the RYA scheme provides a series of skills based courses covering: seamanship, racing, day-sailing, handling spinnakers and performance sailing. These courses are for those already holding RYA Basic Skills Level 2 or with equivalent experience.
RYA Dinghy Seamanship Skills
This course allows further development of personal sailing skills and techniques with the emphasis on increasing self reliance and decision making by the sailor.
DATES: T.B.C.
TIMES: Saturdays 10.00 to 16.00

Open Sailing Workshops
These one-day long sessions are designed for those sailors already holding the RYA Level 2 Basic Skills award who wish to practice skills they already have and give their sailing a thorough shake-down.
DATES: April 16th, 23rd, May 21st, 28th, June 18th, 25th, July 16th, 23rd, Sept 17th, 24th, Oct 15th, 22nd 2011.
TIMES: Saturdays 10.00 to 16.00
RYA Sailing with Spinnakers
This course is designed to teach the sailor how to handle a dinghy rigged with an asymmetric or symmetric spinnaker.
DATES: By arrangement.
TIMES: By arrangement.
RYA Day Sailing
This course is designed to teach the sailor a confident, safe approach to planning and executing a short cruise in a sailing dinghy.
DATES: By arrangement.
TIMES: By arrangement.
Trips
We organise sailing day trips throughout the season. These may involve racing at a sailing club or a short cruise along the coast. Places are limited and are available to students who can demonstrate their sailing abilities to the required level.
DATES: March 27th, June 26th 2011
TIMES: Sunday all day
The Sheppey Race
Staff and students regularly take part in this tough 40-mile endurance event.
General
All our students must be confident on, in and around the water.
Although outdoor activities sometimes require a degree of physical fitness, we are able to cater for all abilities. If you have any doubt concerning your ability, please telephone the Centre for advice on 020 8310 2452.
All of our sessions are under the direction of suitably qualified instructors.
To view our entire adult programme or to apply to join a course click on the following links: