BSC Cadet Training
Bosham Sailing Club provides high quality dinghy, powerboat and shorebased training for all ages and abilities, run from our stunning location at Bosham Quay. We are an RYA Recognised Training Centre (RTC) which means that we operate in compliance with the conditions set down by the national governing body (Royal Yachting Association). The Principal and Chief Instructor of the Bosham Sailing Club RTC is our sailing manager, Mike Storey.
RYA recognition means that all of our sailing courses and training are run by qualified staff, trained by the RYA to provide a required standard of tuition, following the relevant syllabi, using appropriate well-maintained equipment with suitable safety support and with approved instructor:student ratios.
Our cadet training caters for ages 8 and older and follows the RYA Youth pathway from beginners to advance performance sailors. See the youth pathway in 'Downloads' below. Our RYA courses are open to members and non-members and can be viewed via our website calendar or booked directly online here. Please note that booking for non-members opens on 1st March. The non-members fee for a course is refunded for those who join the Club within four weeks of their course.
We also offer group race coaching for members only and personal tuition sessions for members and non-members. These are also on our calendar and bookable directly online here.
Course fees include use of BSC training boats, and approved buoyancy aids if required. Other equipment such as wetsuits and spray tops are not provided but can be acquired cheaply.
Please note that whatever the weather conditions throw at us we always endeavour to allow students to achieve the standard required for each RYA Stage, but in some circumstances this just isn't possible. We also work to move students through the RYA pathway according to their skills. So on each course there may be an opportunity to work on next stage skills.
Visit our full training calendar here. For any questions relating to training, please contact BSC Training.
Beginners (RYA Youth Stage 1)
This course is designed to introduce sailing those who have not sailed before. Participants will build confidence on the water, learn to steer and make a boat move, learn the parts of the boat, and acquire some basic sailing skills. At the end of the course successful students will be able to steer and understand basic sailing principles.
We normally teach Beginners in our fleet of club Optimists, but participants may get a chance to sail in a bigger boat accompanied by an instructor. Instructor to student ratio is a maximum of 1:6.
Next Steps (RYA Youth Stage 2)
Building on the foundations of Beginners, this course further develops the basic sailing skills, and includes ropework, collision avoidance and builds on the water confidence. Successful students will be able to sail, tack and control boat speed effectively. We may be able to move onto some Stage 3 skills.
We run Next Steps in Oppies for the younger sailors and in Fusions and Toppers for sailors ages from about 12 years and older. Instructor to student ratio is a maximum of 1:6.
Improvers (RYA Youth Stage 3 & 4)
This course moves things along a fair bit from Next Steps with focus on enhancing the skills needed to sail around a course and build self-reliance on the water. Topics covered include rigging, sailing theory, launching and recovery, efficient sailing at all angles to the wind and boat control manoeuvres, building confidence in a range of sailing techniques on all points of sail and capsize recovery. At the end of the course, successful sailors will be able to launch and sail a dinghy on all points of sail around a triangle in moderate conditions, and understand the basic principles needed to become a confident sailor.
Stage 3 skills are the minimum required to usefully participate in club cadet racing and we may even cover off some of the Start Racing skills as part of this course. Stage 4 applies Stage 3 skills in a double-handed boat (RS Feva), where students will practice their skills as both helm and crew.
RYA Start Racing
This course is aimed at giving sailors the confidence, basic skills and knowledge to participate in club racing, covering topics such as starting, improved tacking and gybing, maximising boat speed, mark rounding, tactics and an understanding of the racing rules. At the end of the course, successful sailors will be well placed to able to compete in club cadet racing.
Personal Tuition
Personal tuition sessions are available for up to three students per instructor in one booking. Suitable for beginner, intermediate or advanced sailors, we can tailor the session to your requirements and use either club boats or your own boat. We schedule these sessions to take advantage of favourable tides to maximise time on the water.
These sessions are perfect as a refresher before undertaking your next RYA Stage or as a direct assessment working towards an RYA Stage. It is usually possible to cover a full RYA Stage in three PT sessions.
For any questions relating to PTs, please contact BSC Training.
BSC Race Coaching (members only)
These BSC coaching sessions for members are aimed at those wishing to improve their racing skills. Instruction is by RYA-qualified race coaches, who quite often are competing at the highest national level. Sessions focus on improving multiple aspects of racing including starting, tactics, boat speed, mark roundings, boat setup and handling, and rules. Coaching is delivered in the form of briefings, on-water sessions and de-briefing with practice racing and exercises focusing on specific skills.
Depending on demand, our race coaching is often split into silver and gold fleets, particularly in the run-up to Bosham Junior Week.
Oppie Fridays (members only)
These short sessions on summer high tide Friday evenings are perfect end-of-week fun for our Oppie sailors, while parents can chill on the terrace. Sessions are aimed at having a bit of fun on the water whilst improving racing skills for novice and experienced racers alike.
Downloads
Last updated 16:24 on 14 May 2025
