Juniors
Our active Juniors group meet on various dates throughout the summer season, enjoying a broad range of training, social events (including our Annual Regatta) and many other fun-filled activities.
Juniors is run by the parents. Children of club members are welcome to join for an annual fee from the age of seven.
As an RYA recognised training centre, we use the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme syllabus as a basis for fun sessions, making use of the extensive fleet of boats according to the conditions. Our aim is that the children safely acquire good sailing skills and a love of sailing.
WHAT DOES JUNIORS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP GIVE ME?
Subject to sailing ability and suitable parental supervision, Junior group membership gives free access to the fleet of junior boats outside of the organised activity times. So when you join Juniors you don't need to make an investment in a boat for your children to be able to sail at Whitefriars.
As a member of the Junior group, you can also book onto the regular junior sailing sessions as set out below. Junior membership for the year costs £20 per junior.
OUR JUNIOR GROUP PROGRAMME
Organised Junior Group Sessions usually run once or twice a month from March – November (9.30am - 4.00pm). Our aim is to focus on the RYA Youth Scheme stages 1 – 4 through a mix of formal and informal instruction, games and generally messing about on the water.
Once children have progressed through all four RYA youth training stages (which usually takes several seasons) they can progress to the Youth Development Squad (YDS), where more experienced young sailors can hone their skills and discover advanced sailing skills, such as racing, sailing with spinnakers and seamanship.
For the 2023/24 season, each junior session will cost £17pp per day and can be booked via Sailing Club Manager - your membership portal.
THE 2023 JUNIOR GROUP PROGRAMME
This year we will be running sessions, which are suitable to all our Junior members. The maximum number of juniors for each session is 40 and the sessions are organised into the RYA Youth Scheme stages 1-4 and YDS. These sessions provide opportunities to practise, complete any parts of a stage not completed and start to work on the next stage, all under the excellent guidance of our parent and young volunteer instructors.
Children need to be dressed and ready to go for the start of any session and are expected to stick around for the de-brief and to de-rig and pack away boats and equipment before leaving.
Children need to bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks with them to each session, although we will provide regular hot chocolate to keep them warm on chillier days.
Please note: Junior group sessions are only open to members of the Juniors Group (new members welcome and can be signed up via your membership portal) and must be pre-booked, also via your portal (unless stated otherwise).
Click here for a complete run-down of all Juniors RYA training sessions for summer 2023.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Junior specific activities will be included within the Coronation Weekend on Saturday 6th and 7th May.
Our junior group organises the annual club away weekend to the Andrew Simpson Foundation @ the National Sailing Centre in Portland, Weymouth on **dates to be advised**
This is open to all club members not just juniors and parents – keep an eye on email and Facebook updates for more information.
The season ends with a fantastic end of season party and prizegiving (with morning sailing if weather permits) at the end of November. This date will be announced sooner the time.
Children need to be dressed and ready to go for the start of any session and are expected to stick around for the de-brief and to de-rig and pack away boats and equipment before leaving.
Children need to bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks with them to each session, although we will provide regular hot chocolate to keep them warm on chillier days.
Please Note: Parents/Guardians must remain on site whilst their children participate in Junior activities.
VOLUNTEERS
Member help is also appreciated in the rigging and de-rigging of all the boats. Also, if you would like to become more involved in supporting the sessions, there are opportunities for parents to become Assistant Instructors through training within the club.
CALLING ALL PARENTS
The Junior group is run by parents for the junior members - so parental help is vital to the successful running of this group.
Whilst we expect young sailors to learn how to rig boats themselves, help is always required with rigging/de-rigging, moving boats on and off the water, packing everything away and ensuring the children are happy and safe.
We also really appreciate help on the water, instructing and driving the coaching boats.
If you are an experienced sailor and wish to help instruct, or you’re a qualified safety boat driver, please get in touch or email [email protected].
HOW TO BOOK A SESSION
Our Junior Group courses and sessions are only open to members. This season we have over 12 sessions booked but there is a maximum of 40 juniors per sessions, so do book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. The sessions will be available to book on your membership portal. Booking for each session closes the week before, so we can coordinate our volunteer instructors.
Session prices for 2023 are £17.00 per junior per session and bookable through your membership portal once you become a Junior group member.
For further information please contact:
Group Chair: Tim Lee: [email protected]
Group Secretary: Victoria Farmer: [email protected]