Temporary adjustments to the provision of RYA instructor training due to COVID-19 restrictions
If local restrictions allow, instructor training may
be run as detailed below:
Dinghy Instructor training: Pre-entry assessments and instructor courses can currently only be conducted in single-handed dinghies. This is a temporary adjustment to the usual course.
Multihull and Keelboat Instructor courses and endorsements: At
this time we are unable to include courses and endorsements for multihulls and
keelboats within the adjustment mentioned above.
Senior Instructor courses: Dinghy Senior Instructor courses may take place in single-handed dinghies only, with double-handed sessions taking place as shorebased sessions only.
This section is for people wanting to teach the RYA Sailing Scheme. This scheme can be taught in dinghies, small keelboats and multihulls, and the instructor qualifications endorsed accordingly.
For simplicity, we will generally use the term 'dinghy instructor' here, but there is also specific information below about qualifying as a keelboat or multihull instructor.
Assistant Instructor
Required certificates
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One of the Sailing Scheme advanced modules
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Pre-entry assessment
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Recommendation by Principal of the Recognised Training Centre
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Training course
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Training should be based on a 20 hour course covering basic teaching principles, centre procedures and specific training in any unfamiliar equipment (see RYA book G14). Candidates will be assessed on their teaching ability with beginners.
The training and assessment can be conducted by an appropriately trained Senior Instructor who has been nominated by the Principal or Chief Instructor.
The Principal/Chief Instructor will authorise and sign the certificate.
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Qualified to teach
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Up to Sailing Scheme Level 2 or Youth Sailing Scheme Stage 3 under the supervision of a Senior Instructor. As the AI's training is limited to assisting qualified instructors and
does not include first aid or powerboat handling, AIs must never be
allowed to work without direct supervision.
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Certificate validity
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This is a centre-specific certificate, awarded by the training centre and valid for five years
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To find out more about becoming an Assistant Instructor, please contact your local training centre.
Instructor
Minimum age
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16
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Required certificates
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First aid certificate
RYA Powerboat Level 2
RYA Safe and Fun certificate and pre-course work |
Experience
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Experienced sailor in strong winds
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Pre-entry assessment |
To be completed within one year prior to the instructor course. Read more...
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Training course
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Normally a 50 hour/5 day week but could be modular over a number of weekends or days, with extra time allowed for revision.
Training in teaching techniques afloat and ashore is provided during the course.
Run by an RYA Coach/Assessor and moderated on the final day by another RYA Coach/Assessor who has not been involved in the candidate's training.
Candidates will be required to demonstrate
competence in course preparation, delivery and management, as well as
customer liaison.
2021 course dates TBC
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Qualified to teach
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Sailing Scheme Levels 1, 2 and 3, Day Sailing, Seamanship Skills and Sailing with
Spinnakers (if suitably experienced and approved by the Principal or
Chief Instructor)
Youth Sailing Scheme Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Instructors are qualified specifically to teach on either dinghies, small keelboats
or multihulls, depending on their training course and experience.
Instructors are not assessed as competent in running a training centre,
and should always work under the supervision of an RYA Senior
instructor.
|
Validity
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Five years from the date of issue, provided that a valid first aid certificate is maintained.
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RYA membership
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Required |
Keelboat/Multihull endorsement
Candidates who complete their instructor course in dinghies, but who
want to teach in small keelboats or multihulls should obtain the
relevant endorsement. Endorsement courses are run over two days by
Coach/Assessors with the relevant experience, who have been appointed by
the RYA.
During the course, candidates must demonstrate their pre-entry
test skills and teaching techniques.
Candidates will be assessed on a
continuous basis afloat and on successful completion, the course organiser
will sign their logbook.
Advanced Instructor
Minimum age
|
16
|
Required certificates
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RYA Instructor certificate (see above)
First aid certificate
RYA Powerboat Level 2
RYA Safe and Fun certificate and pre-course work |
Experience
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Have at least one season's teaching experience.
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Pre-entry assessment |
RYA instructor certificate, with experience of teaching sailing recorded since qualifying.
Skilled to at
least the level of the Performance Sailing and Sailing with Spinnakers
courses
Should have previous powerboat handling experience in a teaching
environment.
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Training course
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This is a two day course covering the teaching of boat handling, the use
of spinnakers and 5 essentials coaching to the required standard, as
well as powerboat driving.
Candidates will be assessed on a continuous basis afloat, and may be
given a theory test.
Upon successful completion of the course, the
Coach/Assessor will sign their logbooks.
2021 course dates TBC
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Qualified to teach
|
Can teach the Performance Sailing and Sailing with Spinnakers
courses from the RYA National Sailing Scheme as well as all the
courses that can be taught as an instructor.
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Validity
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Five years from the date of issue, provided that a valid first aid certificate is maintained.
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RYA membership
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Required |
Racing Instructor
Minimum age
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16
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Required certificates
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RYA Instructor certificate (see above)
First aid certificate
RYA Powerboat Level 2
RYA Safe and Fun certificate and pre-course work |
Experience
|
Club racing
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Pre-entry assessment |
Minimum of nine club races completed and Assistant Race Officer role once
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Training course
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This one day course will include
the organisation of club racing, preparation and
management of the Start Racing course and instructional techniques
afloat including the use of race training exercises. Assessment is continuous.
On successful
completion, the candidates logbook will be signed by the Coach/Assessor.
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Qualified to teach
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Can teach National Sailing
Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme Start Racing, Intermediate Racing and
Advanced Racing on the type of boat qualified for, as well as all the
courses that can be taught as an instructor.
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Validity
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Five years from the date of issue, provided that a valid first aid certificate is maintained.
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RYA membership
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Required |
Foiling Instructor
Senior Instructor
Minimum age
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18
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Required certificates
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Valid RYA Instructor certificate in the discipline for which you wish to train as an SI
First aid certificate
RYA Safety Boat Certificate
RYA Safe and Fun certificate and pre-course work |
Experience
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Candidates must first be an RYA Dinghy Instructor and must fulfil the following criteria prior to the SI course:
At least two years intermittent or one year full time instructing
since qualifying as an RYA Dinghy or Multihull Instructor (for Dinghy
Senior Instructors) or as an RYA Keelboat Instructor (for Keelboat
Senior Instructors).
Sailing ability to at least the standard of RYA Instructor (an
assessment may be necessary if sailing ability cannot be adequately
demonstrated during the training course)
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Pre-entry assessment |
Signed recommendation from the Principal of an RYA Recognised Training Centre.
Completion of the Senior Instructor Workbook and any preparation work sent out by the Coaches prior to the course starting.
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Training course
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Courses are run on a regional basis with a minimum of six students.
The course may take the form of two weekends
(four whole days) and include some material covered prior to the course.
The assessment will be continuous and will be made by at least two Coach/Assessors.
Application form
2021 course dates TBC
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Qualified to teach
|
On completion of this course you will be able to:
- Organise and manage RYA National Sailing Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme sailing courses.
- Organise and control group sailing tuition of all ages and abilities.
- Supervising, direction and assisting a team of Instructors and Assistant Instructors.
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Validity
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Five years from date of issue if supported by a valid first aid certificate. Little or no logged experience may require a re-assessment.
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RYA membership
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Required |
An RYA recognised dinghy/keelboat/multihull training centre must have a
current SI as its Principal or chief sailing instructor, though a
Yachtmasterâ„¢ instructor may fulfil this role in a keelboat centre.
Dinghy Coach/Assessor
Required certificates
|
RYA Senior Instructor, should also hold the Advanced Instructor endorsement
First aid certificate
RYA Powerboat Level 2
RYA Safe and Fun certificate and pre-course work |
Experience
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A Senior Instructor with proven ability and extensive experience of the Sailing Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme in a variety of training centres. A thoroughly competent sailor with good communication, motivation and leadership skills, good fleet management and coaching, with a positive and enthusiastic approach.
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Pre-entry assessment |
Nominated by a Regional Development Officer or RYA Training.
Two day selection process where instructors should be able to:
- Demonstrate and teach any part of the National Sailing Scheme including all the modules.
- Sail competently in a variety of boats including single handers and high performance craft.
- Plan and manage a course involving sessions ashore and afloat.
- Demonstrate effective safety boat and coach boat skills.
- Give a formal presentation including the use of visual aids, and chair a discussion.
- Show enthusiasm, motivation and leadership.
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Training course
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This five day courses is held once each year and will include:
- The skills of teaching and assessing RYA Instructors.
- The RYA National Sailing Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme and standards required for instructional awards.
- Administration of the scheme.
- High performance sailing.
- Students with special needs, safeguarding and child protection.
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Qualified to teach
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On successful completion of the course you will normally be expected to organise and run your first instructor course with the help and mentoring of a more experienced Coach/Assessor.
On successful completion of this you will be appointed as an RYA Coach/Assessor.
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Validity
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Appointed annually. After five years a practical revalidation is required.
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RYA membership
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Required |
Health declaration
You will be asked to sign a health declaration stating that you are not suffering from any physical or mental impairment which has an adverse effect on your ability to properly discharge your duty of care as an instructor. If you are unable to sign the standard declaration, you will be required to complete a medical questionnaire.