Our Courses
RYA Sailing Courses
Shell Bay Sailing is an RYA training centre and we offer a range of courses for ages of 8 years and upwards.
RYA National Sailing Scheme
A series of two day courses for older teenagers and adults. These can be provided over a weekend or as a series of sessions over a longer period.
Level 1: Start Sailing
An introduction to sailing using a mix of crewed dinghies with an instructor aboard, and single handers. After completion you will know about launching and recovering your boat, and be able to sail effectively in light winds under supervision.
Level 2: Basic Skills
This follows on from Start Sailing. At the end of the course the successful sailor will be safety conscious and have basic knowledge of sailing in light winds without an instructor. The course includes sailing theory and a controlled capsize recovery with a safety boat in attendance.
Level 3:
This course is ideal if you have gained level 2 and want to consolidate your skills and gain more experience.
Seamanship Skills
Boat handling in more challenging conditions and learning to sail independently.
Day Sailing
This course teaches passage planning and decision making for small boat cruising.
Sailing with Spinnakers
Covers everything you need to know about sailing a modern 3 sail dinghy.
Individual Tuition
We offer individual lessons with an instructor for up to three persons.
RYA Junior Courses
The RYA Youth Scheme follows similar lines to the National Scheme, but is arranged as stages 1 to 4. Stage 2 is roughly equivalent to 'Start Sailing', and Stage 3 equates to 'Basic Skills'. Youngsters wishing to progress further can move on to the advanced modules of the National Sailing Scheme. These courses are aimed primarily at children of 8 years and over, and run during each school holiday.
We also run children's clubs on Saturday mornings from May until September. These are for all levels of ability and for ages 8 to 16.
What to wear
Please bring plenty of clothing as it is always colder on the water than it is on dry land, and you will get wet!! There are only a handful of days a year when you can comfortably go out on the water in just a wetsuit or shorts and tee shirt.
As a rule of thumb: You should wear one, or two additional layers when sailing, compared to when standing on the shore.
You should bring with you:
- Wetsuit, if you have one. It is not usually warm enough to wear just a wet suit. You will need other layers as well,
- Plenty of thin layers eg. Tee shirts, rash vest, thin fleeces Rubber soled shoes. Old trainers, or tennis shoes are ideal. Open toe shoes are not suitable,
- Waterproof/windproof jacket and also trousers if you have them.
- Hat (woolly if cold, cotton if hot), sunscreen cream, a towel, and at least one change of clothing/shoes.
Buoyancy aids are provided free of charge.
For details of pricing please see our '2010 Programme' page.