Training

Hykeham Sailing Club, which is affiliated to the RYA and is an RYA Recognised Training Centre, offers adult sailing courses (ages 16+). These are:

RYA Level 1: Start Sailing.

The RYA level 1 dinghy sailing introduces absolute beginners to the sport of dinghy sailing. The course is for beginners who have done little or no dinghy sailing before. It is the first part of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training scheme. The course is run by RYA qualified instructors, with an emphasis on starting to learn the basics of boat handling and wind awareness in a friendly, relaxed environment. By the end of the course you will have a basic understanding of sailing techniques and some background knowledge and should have the competence and the confidence to be able to sail in light winds under the supervision of your Instructor.

Whilst actual capsize recovery isnt required at Level 1, it is recommended that students should be able to swim (whilst wearing a buoyancy aid). No minimum level of swimming ability is stipulated, but it is more important that students should be confident in water. Course content includes an introduction to wind awareness, boat rigging, basic sailing techniques and safety whilst afloat, sailing in different directions, tacking, gybing, launching & recovery.

RYA level 2: Basic Skills.

The RYA Level 2 course builds on the knowledge and skills acquired from the Level 1 course, taking participants to a level where they are competent to sail in light to moderate winds without supervision. On satisfactory completion of the Level 2 course, individuals are deemed to have sufficient competence to make use of the clubs own boats, weather conditions permitting. Like Level 1, this course is highly practical with most the time spent on the water. The course builds on the topics covered in the Level 1 course and introduces additional skills to raise the individuals competence to a point where they are safe to sail unsupervised in suitable conditions.

To participate in the Level 2 course, you must have completed the RYA Level 1 course or can demonstrate RYA Level 1 sailing ability. Level 2 also includes righting and getting back into a capsized dinghy, so confidence in the water is an advantage.

The dates for our 2025 Level 1&2 courses are:

Level 1: Sat + Sun 17 & 18 May

Level 2: Sat + Sun 24 & 25 May

Level 1: Sat + Sun 21 & 22 June

Level 2: Sat + Sun 28 & 29 June

The course fee is £300 for Level 1 & 2 (4 days).

For enquiries or to book a place on our 2025 adult courses please email: Training@hykehamsailing.co.uk 

For RYA Youth Courses (age 8+), please see the LDSA website: www.ldsa.org.uk

Adult Improvers

After gaining basic sailing skills through the Level 1 & 2 courses and joining the club, members may wish to continue with training to practice and improve their skills in a fully supervised environment.  This is where the adult improvers training comes in.  We offer a series of supervised training sessions most Saturdays to improve general sailing skills whilst also introducing racing concepts.  For more information, contact: RaceCoach@hykehamsailing.co.uk

Session dates are available in the calendar here