Reading Sailing Club

Learning to sail with Reading Sailing Club is a fun and rewarding experience. Set in a safe and picturesque environment and led by enthusiastic volunteer instructors, our trainees gain recognised qualifications and a real sense of achievement.

Our courses cater for beginners, intermediate and specialist racers. All training is given in our own boats by fully qualified instructors. We supply all specialist equipment including buoyancy aids, wet suits and spray tops. If you have your own boat you can use that, subject to a safety check and suitability.
The training is centred on our club house with hot showers and club facilities.

Reading Sailing club has been an RYA approved teaching establishment since 2006.
We receive annual safety and standards checks.

The training is delivered by volunteers and is intended as a way of encouraging new members to the club, giving them a way to start sailing.

We have a range of boats available, you can expect to have a go in both single and two handed boats:

Topper: the ideal learning boat for juniors

Pico: a great first boat for adults

Sport 14: A spacious two sail boat taking up to three trainees and an instructor

Laser: A higher performance single hander for more experienced sailors

courses available:

Adult Training:

Level 1
Introducing you to sailing with all you need to know to get afloat under supervision

Level 2
Setting out the foundations of sailing for you

Level 3
Consolidating skills and trying new ones

Assumed knowledge	None	Sailing skills to the standard of Level 1	Sailing skills to the standard of Level 2
Minimum duration	2 days	2 days	2 days or equivalent
Minimum age	16	16	16
Course content	How to sail in all directions, including an awareness of launching and recovery	Rigging, launching, sailing in all directions. Capsize recovery and essential safety knowledge	coaching of level 1 and 2 skills and taster sessions from the advanced modules
Ability after course	Able to sail in light winds under supervision	Able to sail and make decisions in good conditions	More confident in sailing skills and techniques, ready to progress onto the advanced modules.

We also run Race Training and more specialist intermediate courses (e.g. level 3 and Seamanship skills). Dates and arrangements are published to members from time to time.

Junior Training:

Stage 1

A basic understanding of how a boat sails, with some experience of steering and handling the boat

Stage 2

A range of sailing skills and knowledge to help become a confident sailor

Assumed knowledge	None	Sailing skills to the standard of Level 1
Minimum duration	2 days	2 days
Minimum age	Age 10 with no experience. We accept from age 8 if the child of an active sailing member and has sailing experience.	None, but training centres often take children from the age of 8.
Course content	Launching and recovery, steering, parts of the boat, basic sailing.	basic sailing skills, ropework, collision avoidance.
Ability after course	Able to steer and understand basic principles.	able to tack and control boat speed, understand basic principles.

Course dates for 2012:

Course A Level/stage 1	28th April & 5th May	SPECIAL OFFERS FOR OLYMPIC YEAR 1. Book Level/Stage 1 and 2 courses at the same time: The combined course cost is just £140 - saving £16. AND you can enjoy additional free coaching sessions on the Sundays between. 2. Book a Level/Stage 2 course before the end of your Level/stage 1 course and you can enjoy additional free coaching sessions on the Sundays between.
Course B Level/Stage 1	19th May & 26rd May
Course C Level/Stage 2	16th June & 23rd June
Course D Level TBC	30th June & 7th July

All courses are on Saturdays

Even better, if you did a level/stage one with us last year but didn’t follow on then we will accept your booking as offer 2 above.

Attached is our new information sheet with booking forms. Even more information is available on the RSC website: Download pdf version: training 2012

All our RYA courses are priced at £78 for two days, including equipment hire, see box above for this year's offers. The fee contributes to the upkeep of the club's dinghy fleet and the cost of fuel for the safety boat.

To take part on any course you must be a member of the club. We welcome new members, especially those joining us to embark on training courses.

To book a place on the training, contact the club via training@rsc.org.uk or visit the club on a Saturday or Sunday to find out more about our training courses.

Q	Do I need previous experience?
A	No. If you have some familiarity with boats it helps but most of our trainees leave as safe and competent sailors despite never having sat in a sailing dinghy before.
Q	What equipment do I need to bring?
A	Your course fee includes hire of boats, buoyancy aid, wetsuit, spray top and all training and safety equipment. You will need to wear suitable footwear and light, warm clothing. You will receive a briefing with your course confirmation giving more information.
Q	What times do the courses run?
A	Course arrival times are 9:00 - 9:30 for a 9:30 start and finish by 5.00pm. You are encouraged to arrive early to help set up boats and get that extra bit of tuition.
Q	Will I be able to sail on my own after the course?
A	Many trainees feel confident to go it alone after Level 1; others prefer to complete both courses and the intervening supported practice sessions. Unless you already have some sailing proficiency we strongly recommend you participate in both levels 1 & 2 within a few weeks in order to achieve a degree of self-sufficiency on the water.
Q	How can I improve my sailing after training?
A	Members have unlimited access to club facilities and sailing water at any time. Boats are available to hire. In addition we run a number of regular club sailing events: Weekly Pirates and Optimist sailing for juniors - Fun and learning on the water Monthly 'Pink Days' for all club members to sail together and have fun. Sunday morning racing. See the club calendar for more events.

If there are specific questions please don’t hesitate to ask. The Training Team are looking forward to sailing with you.

Philip Markham

For more information on the training program Contact the training Co-ordinator

Reading Sailing Club Instructors

Jon Clay Training Principal	Phil Markham Training Manager	Steve Sharp Senior Instructor
Monica Beer Instructor	David Clay Instructor	Ali Sheltrum Instructor
Dave Portus Dinghy Instructor	Mark Buckle Dinghy Instructor
Ken Seymour Powerboat Instructor	Brian Moore Support boat	Richard Moore Support boat