Sailing and Powerboat 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 the 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 feel free to contact 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 Club.

Adult dinghy training courses 2023
- All courses run from 9am - 5pm.
- Buoyancy aids and boats are provided.
- More dates and courses for 2023 may follow depending on demand.
- Course can be booked by WSC members through SCM accounts.
- Courses are available to non-members but will only be available to book one month prior to the date of the course and must be paid in full at the time of booking. Email: [email protected]
- Further course details and booking forms can be found here.
Download a RYA sailing summary of courses here.
RYA Level 1 - Start Sailing (2 day course)
Cost: WSC members £125 and non-members £250
No previous knowledge of sailing required.
Members book through your membership SCM account.
Non-members book by emailing [email protected]
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RYA Level 2 - Basic Skills (2 day course)Cost: WSC members £125 and non-members £250 Previous sailing knowledge required to Level 1 equivalent. Members book through your membership SCM account. Non-members book by emailing [email protected]. |
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Adult powerboat training courses 2023
- All courses run from 9am - 5pm.
- Buoyancy aids can be provided.
- More dates and courses for 2023 may follow depending on demand.
- Course can be booked by WSC members through SCM accounts.
- Courses are available to non-members but will only be available to book one month prior to the date of the course and must be paid in full at the time of booking. Email: [email protected]
Further course details and booking forms can be found here.
Download a RYA powerboat summary of courses here.
RYA Powerboat Level 2 (PBL2) (2 day course)Cost: WSC members £125 and non-members £250. Skill level: No previous experience required - you do not need to have passed PBL1 to sign up for this course. Members book through your membership SCM account. Non-members book by emailing [email protected]. |
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RYA Safety Boat (2 day course)Cost: WSC members £125 and non-members £250. Skill level: PBL2 pre-requisite Members book through your membership SCM account. Non-members book by emailing [email protected] |
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WSC Safety Boat (1 day course WSC members only)Cost: Free Members book through your membership SCM account. PBL2 pre-requisite |
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WSC Safety Boat refresher course (half day WSC members only)Cost: Free Members book through your membership SCM account. Skill level: PBL2 and WSC Safety Boat pre-requisite |
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WSC Tiller Steer Conversion (members only on demand) |
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]