The Poole Yacht Club is passionate about getting more people on the water, advancing current skills and supporting all marinas with all their sailing needs. This all starts with the learning opportunities that we have available to our members.
If you need any advice or have suggestions on other training you would like please contact AJ Windsor (Sailing Manager) for more information: [email protected]
RYA Youth Training (Manic Piranhas)
Wednesday nights are all about the next generation of sailors. From Year 3 the kids can join the manic piranhas training. We have an amazing group of volunteer RYA Dinghy and Senior Instructors who can’t wait to pass on there knowledge and skills to this next generation. Courses include RYA Stage 1-4, RYA Seamanship Skills, RYA Sailing with Spinnakers, RYA Start Race and our in-house race training on 420s and Multi-hulls.
Bookings start in January and training runs April to September.
RYA Powerboat Level 2
This is a two-day course that teaches you fundamental boat handling skills to operate a small, powered craft (up to 10m). It is run by one of our volunteer RYA Powerboat Instructors and courses are usually run November – February.
This license is the minimum requirement to drive one of the club’s power-driven vessels.
Adult Learn to Sail Courses & Big Shots Race Training
We are passionate about getting people of all ages on the water, whether it is for the first time, coming back after a long break or just expanding your current skills we are here to help.
We run a small number of learn to sail courses each year, usually organised on an ad-hoc basis, so please contact AJ Windsor (Sailing Manager) for more information: [email protected]
Our Big Shots programme runs on Monday evenings, from April to July and is designed to continue to improve your sailing skills and learn how to race. There is no set boat for this it is open to all. We run a Friday morning sailing session which is designed to improve your sailing, boat/water confidence and decision making across all areas of sailing.
You must have a minimum of RYA Level 2 (or equivalent) to join Big Shots.
Capsize Recovery & Mark Laying
These are in-house qualifications and courses to support our volunteers with club duties.
Capsize Recovery is a half day course and gives you the knowledge and confidence when it comes to rescuing sailing boats.
Mark Laying is an essential skill for our Powerboat Volunteers, it helps us offer Opens, Nationals, Worlds and Club Regattas to a variety of visiting classes.
Poole YC Race Management Training
This one-day workshop is for anyone interested in finding out more about running sailing events from a committee boat – it will suit recorders, race officers, assistants, mark-layers.
RYA Marine Radio SRC & RYA Diesel Engine Courses
The RYA Marine Radio SRC course is designed to give you the knowledge to use a marine VHF / SRC radio after you have passed, you will receive a licence to operate a marine radio. This licence is a legal requirement.
The RYA Diesel Engine course is an introductory course aimed at preventing breakdowns and solving basic problems at sea. Suitable for leisure boaters and those working on the water.
RYA First Aid
This is a one day first aid course and will cover all the basics of first aid from a boating perspective.
It is aimed at anyone who goes afloat but is an MCA approved course and does meet the requirements for Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster, Advanced Powerboat and any RYA Instructor tickets requiring a first aid certificate.
ILCA Ladies Training Weekend*
Renowned ILCA 6 British National Champion George Povall will be joining us for weekend of coaching to pass on her skills, in this ladies only training weekend.
We ask that you have a reasonable level of sailing to take part in this weekend and do have a basic understanding of racing and have competed in some class racing as a minimum.
Day one will be mostly around how to make your boat sail faster and day two will concentrate on sailing a course as fast as possible.