Junior Training

Welcome to the Winsford Flash Sailing Club junior section page.

WFSC has, in recent years, provided the opportunity for many children and young people to discover the joy of sailing through regular training and coaching by fully qualified RYA instructors, leading to certification in RYA qualifications.

As a club we value our junior members and are committed to ensuring as many young people as possible can get involved in the sport and progress at their own pace. In recent years the club has invested in training more adult members as RYA recognised dinghy instructors to increase the breadth of tuition and to ensure our young members have greater opportunities to develop as sailors.We aim for our junior members to feel very much part of the club and this vision has led to the development of a junior section.

Alongside tuition we will provide opportunities to try racing, social activities, and hope to include racing/sailing at other clubs and locations. Junior members will also have access to use club boats, the facilities and clothing equipment such as spray tops, buoyancy aids and footwear.You can find out more about how we train and the great team who deliver that training below.

Training is Structured in Stages

Stage One

A basic understanding of sailing, with some experience of steering and handling the boat

Stage Two

A range of sailing skills and knowledge to help in becoming a confident sailor

Stage Three

Rigging, launching and sailing in any direction. Equivalent to Level 2 in the National Sailing Scheme

Stage Four

Sail a double handed boat as crew or helm, and solve a variety of problems afloat. (optional if Stage 3 was taken in a double hander

Beginners over the age of 8 years are able to start sailing independently using our club boats under instruction and coaching after they have attended our Saturday afternoon stage 1 sessions.

Once a beginner sailor has attended two Saturday afternoon sessions which are designed to introduce them to the basics of boat control and how to stay safe on the water, they will then be invited to join our Friday night sessions.

The Friday sessions are run for our more advanced juniors who are looking to continue to develop their boat handling skills and sailing ability. The tuition offered at these sessions are based on the syllabuses from the RYA sailing scheme.

At the end of a season we aim to offer our juniors the opportunity to attain a RYA qualification from the youth sailing scheme in line with their progression.

Race coaching is offered on several Sunday mornings throughout the year to build confidence and knowledge of racing for those juniors who wish to join our Sunday club racing.

A junior regatta is held at the end of August which enables Juniors to demonstrate their sailing skills in a safe and friendly competition.

If you would like your child to get involved in our junior section and all it has to offer then please contact Victoria Skelding, Junior Section Development Officer.

Last updated 22:06 on 26 February 2024