Elliot Marks
Elliot MarksRYA Training Principal

Get OnBoard – Beginners

OnBoard is the RYA’s children’s sailing programme. It offers children the opportunity to try sailing in a safe, fun and structured environment.

Open to all children, OnBoard is a beginner programme that gets people on the water for the first time. There is no experience or equipment needed tog et you started. The programme is also progressive, so you can work your way through the RYA Youth Schemes.

Learning to sail usually takes place between spring and autumn and sessions will run on a Sunday afternoon every other week.

The OnBoard Beginners programme at Bough Beech SC is open to a maximum of 12 children, with the expectation that they are able to attend every session. Please check the Club Calendar for the exact dates of this year’s programme.

The club also offers Youth Sailing which allows young members to join together for informal practice or leisure sessions

RYA Stage 1 RYA Stage 2
Required Experience None Sailing skills to the standard of Stage 1
Duration 2 days 2 days
Minimum Age 8 yrs 8 yrs
Content Launching and recovery

Sailing across the wind and turning around

Steering and basic parts of the boat

Improved sailing skills on all points of sail

Tacking, gybing and ropework

Collision avoidance

Certificate issuing criteria Able to sail across the wind

Steer and understand the basic principles of sailing

Building confidence sailing, tacking and gybing

Improving boat control and speed

Format Afloat Afloat
Places Available 6 6

Get OnBoard – Improvers

The OnBoard Improvers Sessions are designed to bridge the gap between RYA Stages 2 & 3 through regular participation and practice.

Each of the Improver Sailing sessions are linked to an OnBoard charter attribute. These are:

Seamanship – Confidence

Boat Handling – Creativity

Five Essentials – Independence

Racing – Determination

Double Handed Sailing – Communication

Sail Away – Teamwork

The OnBoard Improvers programme at Bough Beech SC is open to a maximum of 12 children, with the expectation that they are able to attend every session. Please check the Club Calendar for the exact dates of this year’s programme.

RYA Stage 3 RYA Dinghy Start Racing
Required Experience Sailing skills to the standard of Stage 2 Pre-requisite sailing to the standard of Level 3 or Stage 3 in the Youth Sailing Scheme
Duration 16 hrs 8 hrs
Minimum Age 8 yrs 8 yrs
Content Improved rigging, sailing theory, launching and recovery

Building confidence in a range of sailing techniques on all points of sail

Capsize recovery

All the skills required to start club racing, including basic start sequence and timing

Improved tacking and gybing, using the 5 essentials to best effect

Having a basic understanding of racing rules

Certificate issuing criteria Able to launch and sail a dinghy on all points of sail or around a triangle in moderate conditions Able to take part in a small race in good conditions
Format Afloat Afloat
Places Available 6 6