Course and qualification

RYA Dinghy Start Racing

IntermediateAdvancedAfloat

About this course

Having learnt to sail you may wish to start racing and join a club. This course takes you through the fundamentals of getting off the start line and round the course, introducing the basic skills needed to enter your first race or have fun with friends

Course fundamentals

Minimum age	Age requirement varies by training centre
Duration	8 hours on water tuition
Course content	All the skills required to start club racing, including basic start sequences and timing; improved tacking and gybing, using the 5 essentials to best effect and having a basic understanding of the racing rules
Certificate or qualification	The appropriate RYA course completion certificate is awarded following successful completion of the course and its prescribed assessment.
Award type	Course completion certificate
Separate assessment	Not required

Prerequisites

Knowledge or skills to a stated level

Sailing and knowledge to at least the standard of the Level 2 course or Stage 3 in the Youth Sailing Scheme Level 2 or Stage 3

Check the official RYA prerequisite information (opens in a new tab)

Recommended course progression

Starting from the beginning

We have not assessed your existing qualifications, knowledge or experience yet, so every step is shown as still to do.

View your course roadmap5 steps · Starts from the beginning

Follow these courses in order to build the course knowledge or certificates described above.

Once you tell us what you already know or hold, we can recognise equivalent knowledge or skills and adjust this route.

Step 1 · To do
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 1
RYA schemes:Small Boat Sailing RYA
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 1
An introduction to the parts of the boat and the basic principles of how to get a boat sailing. Launching and recovery; Sailing across the wind; Turning around; Steering and…
Age requirement varies by training centre.
Level:Beginner
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 2 · To do
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 2
RYA schemes:Small Boat Sailing RYA
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 2
Develop the skills needed to sail around a course and understand the basic principles needed to become a confident sailor. Improved sailing skills on all points of sail. Tacking, gybing,…
Age requirement varies by training centre.
Level:BeginnerIntermediate
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 3 · To do
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 3
RYA schemes:Small Boat Sailing RYA
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 3
Build your confidence and develop the skills needed to sail in different directions in moderate conditions. Improved rigging; Sailing theory; Launching and recovery; Building confidence in a range of sailing…
Age requirement varies by training centre.
Level:BeginnerIntermediate
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 4 · To do
RYA Dinghy Level 1 – Start Sailing
RYA schemes:Small Boat Sailing RYA
RYA Dinghy Level 1 – Start Sailing
An introduction to sailing dinghies for complete beginners, covering everything you need to know to get afloat under supervision. How to sail in all directions, including an awareness of launching…
No RYA minimum ageProviders may set their own age rules, especially for under-18s.
Level:Beginner
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 5 · To do
RYA Dinghy Level 2 – Basic Skills
RYA schemes:Small Boat Sailing RYA
RYA Dinghy Level 2 – Basic Skills
Build your confidence and develop your skills. By the end of this course you'll be a competent sailor in light winds. Rigging; Launching; Building confidence sailing in all directions; Capsize…
No RYA minimum ageProviders may set their own age rules, especially for under-18s.
Level:BeginnerIntermediate
Setting:Afloat
View course