What’s involved in Family Week?
The cost includes five full days of RYA training – Great value!
Family Week is a full week of fun and learning following the RYA syllabus. It’s a time to make friendships, have heaps of fun, build confidence as well as learn how to sail or become better sailors. It’s for all the family, adults and children.
We cater for all levels of ability from beginner to racer. It involves everything from, learning how to right a boat from a capsize, classroom work, adventures around the lake, building sailing skills including the RYA Racing syllabus & advanced skills like spinnaker work.
We tailor training delivery based on the skill and previous experience of the sailors in order to build on their RYA modules. We normally take beginners from 8 years upwards. The week offers something for everyone! Whatever your level of ability, this is a great chance to learn and progress.
New to Family Week?
Download Application Form here
For many, Family Week is the event of the year and sailors come back year after year. If you’re new to the Club and want more help or information, here are a few pointers:
So who’s in charge?
Family Week is led by a passionate team of volunteers and those teaching are all qualified RYA Instructors. The training is provided for MEMBERS ONLY (so make sure you’ve joined the club!)
Do I need my own boat?
We have a sheltered lagoon area for introducing young sailors to the water as well as a fantastic training room above the clubhouse. We can provide boats for the week to get you started and buoyancy aids too. The week involves a mix of activities from classroom work, knots and practical activities, as well as heaps of sailing out on the lake. In no time (often from day one) the sailors will be out sailing on the lake independently under the close supervision of an instructor.
Is it an RYA course?
We teach at a ratio of 1:6 and as an RYA Training Centre following very strict standards for our delivery. We normally expect to complete at least one full part of the RYA Youth & Junior syllabus.
Where does it lead?
We recommend Family Week as THE starting point to get going, as well as the perfect opportunity to keep coming back and working on new skills. We provide lots more training (for all the family) too and want sailors to take full, active part in club life. After Family Week you can practice your new skills on Activity Days and continue to have lots of fun.
What to wear?
It can be cold in May/June and is always colder on the water than sat on the shore.
Sailors will need a wetsuit, suitable footwear (wetsuit boots or old trainers), a windproof jacket, and plenty of warm clothing (hats, gloves, thermals etc) – plus a towel and plenty of clothes to change into! For warmer weather – hat, shorts, t-shirts and sun-cream.
What to eat
Children & Adults will need a packed lunch every day or money for food. -there will limited selection of drinks, food and snacks for sale in the galley. Bring a bottle for water each day -it may be needed to take out on the water.
Timings
Detailed information will be given to attendees but typically each day starts with a briefing in the clubhouse at 10.00am and sailors should be dressed ready for sailing so arrive with time enough to get changed. We aim for sailors to be off the water around 3.30pm so ready to leave about 4.30pm (boats need to be put away at the end of the day).
Parental help
We require parents to remain on site through the week (for safeguarding and supervising ashore as well as to help out)
Parental help is needed and there are lots of opportunities for parents to get involved during the week and rotas will be drawn up for helping in the galley, clean up duties in the changing rooms as well as helping children to tally on and off the water and monitoring the shore radio (don’t worry, instructions will be given). There will also be lots of time to relax. enjoy the club and the views, and watching the sailors having fun.
Adult training will be offered subject to demand.
And finally….
On the final day all boats will need to be stored properly so sailing will finished after a short morning session. There will be an awards ceremony for our proud sailors to get their certificates – lunch is therefore likely to be late so extra snacks for the morning will be required.