RYA Dinghy Level 1

Join us at Keep Sailing Staines for a fun and informative couple of days sailing on the River Thames. With generally light winds and a relaxed atmosphere, Keep Sailing Staines is a perfect place to learn to sail and enjoy the beauty of the river. The RYA's Dinghy Level 1 course is aimed at people with little to no sailing experience. These courses are run over 2 consecutive Saturdays. 

The RYA's Dinghy Level 1 course is aimed at people with little to no sailing experience. We will take you through the basic steps of rigging and getting the boat onto the water. After some practice at land drills teaching you to tack the boat, we will head out onto the river for your first challenge of sailing across the wind. The course will include theory on how a boat works as well as getting to grips with tying knots.

Please note this course is run over 2 consecutive Saturdays

ALREADY DONE SOME SAILING BUT NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

If you would feel confident to get into a boat and set out onto the water without an instructor on board then book onto the level 2 course. If you would feel unsure about taking out a boat alone then level 1 is the course for you.

What to Bring

• Clothes to go sailing in / wetsuit.

Keep Sailing Staines does not provide wetsuits so please bring clothes you don’t mind getting wet in and are not too heavy when wet. For example jeans are not good when wet. Please bring a few changes of clothes, we hope you won’t capsize while sailing but we can’t guarantee it!

• Water-proofs: a lightweight waterproof jacket is perfect and trousers if you have them.

• Shoes for sailing in either wetsuit boots, old trainers or deck shoes are fine.

• Buoyancy Aid (if you have one), it must be a 50 newton BA with a ‘CE’ Mark. If you don’t have a buoyancy aid we will provide one for the course.

• A towel.

• Sun-Screen, sunglasses and a hat.

• You might want to bring some gloves, but these are not essential.

• Your RYA logbook. If you don’t have one we will provide it on a dinghy level 1 course.

• Your packed lunch!

Lunch Time

There will be a break for lunch each day of the course. Please bring a packed lunch, as there are no caterers on site.  It is a good idea to come armed with some snacks to keep up energy levels during the day. Bar facilities may be available at the end of the day for those in need!

Car Park

Keep Sailing Staines has a large car park free to use for people attending courses. 

Cancellation policy 

Keep Sailing or organisations we are booking agents for reserve the right to cancel the course if the minimum number of students has not been reached. If this is the case we will endeavour to reach a compromise by either offering a shorter 1:1 course or you will receive a full refund.

Refund Policy 

1. From the time of booking until 7 days before the start of the course 
   1. Full Refund
2. Between 7 days and the start of the course 
   1. No refund
3. If the course is full and there is a waiting list: 
   1. If we can fill your space you will receive a refund, minus a £25 administration fee

If you would like to cancel your booking please email info@keepsailing.co.uk

All cancellations must be confirmed in writing 

All cancellations and transfers are subject to a £25 admin fee.

RYA

Keep Sailing Staines is a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recognised training centre and complies with all standards set out by the RYA. While sailing is a safe sport everything in life has an element of risk. We ask for your co-operation in complying with our club safety policy. Above all listen to your instructors as they are here for your safety as well as helping to improve your sailing.