Sailing Courses
Whitefriars Sailing Club (WSC) is a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Recognised Training Centre where we offer a range of RYA courses for both dinghy sailing and powerboating, as well as an accredited first aid course. The courses are aimed at WSC members and its affiliated groups, but we open certain training dates to non-members on application.
The RYA courses offer structured learning programs run in an informative, enjoyable and safe manner by instructors who are also WSC members.
The Club also offers instructor-led informal training for club members on most Saturdays from mid-March throughout the season.
If you are interested in learning to sail or helm a powerboat, please email the WSC Training team [email protected] and arrange to visit our friendly sailing club in the Cotswold Water Park.
Dinghy sailing is a very easy sport to enter and can cater for a wide age range and even if you are less able-bodied, we are able to offer sailing instruction with our Sailability Group.
Don’t worry about not having a boat to start with, as we have a fleet of training dinghies ready for you to learn.
Once you've learnt to sail you can focus your activities by taking part in club racing or through one of our groups: Juniors, Women on the Water and Sailability – check their pages to see what they have planned. The Club also has hire boats available once you have demonstrated your new skills.
Various courses will run through the year. They are advertised on this website and on the Training noticeboard in the Clubhouse.
Adult dinghy training courses 2026
- All courses run from 9am - 5pm.
- Buoyancy aids and boats are provided.
- More dates and courses for 2025 may follow depending on demand.
- Course can be booked by WSC members and non-members through the Membership Portal.
- Cost: WSC members £150 and non-members £250 ( 2-day course )
- Any "tbc" dates depend on demand - please email your interest!
- Please email any training enquires to: [email protected]
Download a RYA sailing summary of courses here.
RYA Level 1 - Start Sailing (2 day course)
Cost: WSC members £150 and non-members £250
No previous knowledge of sailing required.
Book through the Membership Portal.
2026 Dates
- Sat/Sun 11th / 12th April
- Sat/Sun 23rd / 24th May
- Sat/Sun 13th / 14th June
- Sat/Sun 11th / 12th July
- Sat/Sun 25th / 26th July (Training Week)
- Mon/Tue 27th / 28th July (Training Week)
- Sat/Sun 5th / 6th September
RYA Level 2 - Basic Skills (2 day course)
Cost: WSC members £150 and non-members £250
Previous sailing knowledge required to Level 1 equivalent.
Book through the Membership Portal.
2026 Dates
- Sat/Sun 11th / 12th April
- Sat/Sun 23rd / 24th May
- Sat/Sun 13th / 14th June
- Sat/Sun 11th / 12th July
- Mon/Tue 27th / 28th July (Training Week)
- Thurs/Fri 30th / 31st July (Training Week)
- Sat/Sun 5th / 6th September
- Sat/Sun 10th / 11th October
RYA Advanced Skills (2 day course)
Cost: WSC members £150 and non-members £250
Previous sailing knowledge required to Level 2 equivalent, ideally with some practice since
Book through the Membership Portal.
2026 Dates
- RYA Seamanship Skills - Sat/Sun 25th / 26th July (Training Week)
- RYA Sailing with Spinnakers - Thurs/Fri 30th / 31st July (Training Week)
For more information, please contact
Sailing courses: Tim Hopes (Training Principal and Chief Sailing Instructor)
Powerboat and safety boat courses: Pete Bone (Chief Powerboat Instructor)
Instructional opportunities and courses not listed: Tim Hopes (Training Principal and Chief Sailing Instructor)
For general enquiries: [email protected]