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: JuniorsWomen 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.

RYA Training Centre

Adult dinghy training courses 2025

  • 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 through the Membership Portal.
  • 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]
  • Cost: WSC members £150 and non-members £275 ( 2-day course )
  • Any "tbc" dates depend on demand - please email your interest!

Download a RYA sailing summary of courses here.

RYA Level 1 - Start Sailing (2 day course)

Cost: WSC members £150 and non-members £275

No previous knowledge of sailing required.

Members book through your Membership Portal.

Non-members book by emailing [email protected]

  • Sat/Sun 10th / 11th May 2025
  • Sat/Sun 5th / 6th July 2025
  • Mon/Tue 28th / 29th July as part of Training Week 2025
  • Sat/Sun 20th / 21st September 2025
  • Sat/Sun 4th / 5th October 2025

RYA Level 2 - Basic Skills (2 day course)

Cost: WSC members £150 and non-members £275

Previous sailing knowledge required to Level 1 equivalent.

Members book through your Membership Portal.

Non-members book by emailing [email protected].

  • Sat/Sun 5th / 6th July 2025
  • Mon/Tue 28th / 29th July as part of Training Week 2025
  • Thurs/Fri 31st July / 1st August as part of Training Week 2025
  • Sat/Sun 20th / 21st September 2025
  • Sat/Sun 4th / 5th October 2025

RYA Level 3 - Better Sailing (2 day course)

Cost: WSC members £150 and non-members £275.

Previous sailing knowledge required to Level 2 equivalent.

Members book through your Membership Portal.

Non-members book by emailing [email protected].

  • Dates to be confirmed
 
 
 

RYA Advanced Skills (2 day course)

Cost: WSC members £125 and non-members £250.

Members book through your Membership Portal.

Non-members book by emailing [email protected]

  • Sailing with Spinnakers - Sat/Sun 26th / 27th July as part of Training Week

  • Seamanship Skills - Thurs/Fri 31st July / 1st August as part of 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]