Haversham Sailing Club offer sailing for junior members in a number of ways: Buccaneers, Youth Squad, Racing and MKBYSA.

Junior sailing is open to all children of members below the age of 18: coaching sessions, informal or otherwise, are led by certificated Instructors with DBS/CRB clearance, a safety boat is always on hand, and all activities are carried out in strict accordance with RYA Safe and Fun protocols. We have dedicated – and private – Facebook and WhatsApp forums, so you need never feel out of the loop with what’s going on.

Buccaneers:
Designed primarily, but not exclusively, for novices unable to sail a controlled triangular course, Buccaneers meet fortnightly from midday on Saturdays from late April to late September. Numbers are limited by volunteer Instructor availability, but will vary between 12 and 24 per 2-hour session.

There is no minimum age limit, but youngsters must be confident around water, and able to pay attention and work to instructions. The ability to swim is desirable, but not essential. We teach them to rig and de-rig dinghies, launch and retrieve boats, the basics of boat handling, and how to sail a triangular course.

We implement the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme, which encourages youngsters to enhance their skills and capabilities on the water and offers the opportunity to achieve Levels 1,2 and 3. Progress can be as slow or as quick as ability allows - there is no pressure. The Saturday sessions are not all serious: there is plenty of scope for making friends and having a good time, whilst also learning what fun you can have on the water – all under the watchful eyes of the Instructors!

Buccaneers activity is completely free, as is the use of dinghies, helmets and buoyancy aids, but it is essential to book places via the online system accessed through the Members Area of the club website. Members need also be aware that a child must be accompanied on site by a parent or guardian.

Out-of-season activities are encouraged, and may include swimming and other excursions depending on levels of enthusiasm and interest!

Youth Squad:
Youngsters must be able to sail a controlled triangular course, and be assessed to RYA YSS Level 3. Advancement to Level 4 and race coaching will depend entirely on Instructor availability. Competent youngsters are also encouraged to join the Tuesday evening Improvers sessions, with safety boat cover and experienced helms on hand to advise and guide.

MKBYSA: For more details, please follow this link.

Racing:
For competent youngsters, we offer start-of-season basic race coaching and the opportunity to join the adult mid-week racing on a Wednesday evening in their own Rookie Fleet. Aspiring racers will need to be able to rig and de-rig, launch and retrieve their boats without assistance. Once confident, and having acquired a basic knowledge of the Rules of Racing, juniors are encouraged to join in the Sunday afternoon Series Racing in the Bronze Fleet.

Further Training:
If desirable, juniors over the age of 16 may consider the formal adult training schemes the club has to offer. More details, including course fees, can be found on the website.

Junior Sailing Week:
Every summer we organise a summer-camp-style sailing week in which we take children off your hands for five days – traditionally the first full week in August. At a modest charge (which compares very favourably with commercial childcare) we will entertain your offspring with games, crafts, team events and, of course, sailing. Our staff:children ratio is 1:2, and adults are DBS/CRB vetted. We’ll accept any child between 7 and 15 on a first-come-first-served basis, all you need to do is undertake to deliver and take them away on time, and make sure they come with packed lunches. Full details are usually published in the Members Area of the club website in April, with the signing-on taking place at the start of May. This event caters for 30-36 children, depending entirely on the goodwill and availability of volunteers. Our unofficial goal is to send your children home to you at the end of the week able at least to sail a triangular course, totally exhausted and with huge grins on their faces. We have yet to fail!

Any questions? Email Alison Butler at [email protected]

For further information on the RYA Safe and Fun protocols, please visit https://www.rya.org.uk/about-us/policies/policy

BUCCANEERS, YOUTH TRAINING & FUN !
Saturday afternoon sessions:
April 27th fortnightly until Sept Sat 28th.

Booking on courses and activities is via the Buccaneer WhatsApp Group. To join or link with this Group please contact Robin or Alison.

Alison: [email protected]

Buccaneer and Youth Facebook.
The group is private. You need to be invited to join by an existing member who is in your Facebook friends list. If you do not know any existing members simply send a request through above links, stating that you wish to join the group and giving your membership number.

Child Protection Policy

Junior Sailors' Code of Conduct