Training Overview

Training is a very important part of the club activities. SSC is affiliated to the Royal Yacht Association and is one of the 300 accredited RYA Training Centres in the country. This means that training is carried out by RYA certified Instructors (who have passed examinations set by the RYA and proved their competence at training others to sail) or by Assistant Instructors (whose competence has been assessed and verified by an RYA Senior Instructor).

In addition, our Training Principal is able to assess students and award RYA qualifications as appropriate. The cost of this training is very reasonable but is only offered to members of the SSC so, to take advantage of it, you must join the club. Details of the RYA courses on offer at Slaughden are shown in the RYA Courses page.

A special group is dedicated to introducing young people to sailing. This group, the YOTAS (Youth On The Alde Sailing), is very popular and is usually fully subscribed. See the YOTAS page for further details.

The club holds outreach events for local scout and guide groups which are great fun for all, if the weather is kind!

Other training classes include a First Aid Course which is especially tailored to the needs of dinghy sailors. This covers, in addition to the usual broken limbs, practical advice on recognising and treating hypothermia, an insidious condition which can creep up without warning on the fittest when they have been immersed in water for too long.

Of course, the backbone of the training programme is the trainers themselves. Without their commitment the programme would soon founder. Here is a list of those members who are qualified trainers. In addition there are many members who are training assistants or provide valuable help on the day.