Our courses and training are for all SYC members regardless of background, physical or learning ability. 

We occasionally offer places to non-members on payment of a temporary membership fee.

We take safeguarding very seriously.  There’s always an independent person to talk to confidentially about any concerns.  Details of the SYC safeguarding team members can be found on posters in the clubhouse, Members’ Room and changing rooms.

You can read our full policy in the SYC Safeguarding and Equality Statement.  

• SYC, which is an RYA-accredited Training Centre, or
• other local Sailing Clubs accredited as RYA Training Centres, or
• local commercial RYA Training Centres.

Any RYA Training Centre requires a certain number of participants to make a course viable.
Rather than make you wait until enough members have shown an interest in a course at SYC (e.g. for Adult Sailing Beginner), the SYC Training Officer may refer you to a commercial RYA Centre or another nearby RYA sailing club to allow you to enrol promptly for your qualification.
Alternatively, for other courses in frequent demand (e.g. RYA First Aid or Power Boat Handling Level 2), you may be placed on a waiting list for a place on a course delivered at SYC.

To register interest in a course, or to discuss whether it is right for you, please get in touch with the contacts shown below:

• Youth sailing beginners and advanced (RYA Youth Sailing Stages 1-4 and race coaching) courses are run through Junior Training, which takes place on Friday evenings for young people who through their families are members of the Club.
• Adult sailing beginner (RYA Level 1 and Level 2) courses, adult sailing improver and advanced courses (Better Sailing (Level 3); Seamanship Skills; Day Sailing; Sailing with Spinnakers) and RYA Race Coaching (RYA Start Racing; Intermediate; Advanced; Club Race Officer) –Seasports Southwest, Back Beach, Teignmouth - tel. 01626 772555
• SYC Race Box training –SYC Sailing Secretary
• RYA Dinghy Instructor courses – SYC Training Officer
• RYA First Aid and Short Range Marine Radio (VHF) Certificate courses – SYC Training Officer
• RYA Diesel Engine Maintenance course– SFCC Training Officer
• RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship; Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean shore-based theory courses – available online from several companies including Kipper Sailing; Sunsail; Navathome
• RYA Powerboat Handling (Level 2) and Safety Boat courses – SYC Training Officer

SYC Fleet Captains also organise coaching sessions for their fleets.  Please contact your Fleet Captain for more information.

Use the booking arrangements given by each provider.

RYA Youth Sailing courses are delivered during SYC Junior Sailing on Friday evenings between March and July.  Please contact the Junior Membership Secretary by the beginning of March to reserve a Junior Sailing place.

For all other SYC-run courses, contact the SYC Training Officer to reserve a place or add your name to a waiting list.  When a place becomes available the Training Officer will send you the appropriate booking form, which he will ask you to return with the appropriate course fee.

Please ensure that you read the booking terms and conditions.

Take a look at our Handy Tips elsewhere on this page to help you get the most from any course you book.

We aim to make the cost of training affordable to all members. 

All members (excluding temporary members) are eligible for Exe Regatta Project grants of up to 50% of appropriate training course fees, subject to availability, regardless of where the course was taken. This grant funding is dependent on the member's readiness to apply their newly-acquired skills in the support of training at SYC.

New members joining SYC after successfully completing an RYA Level 2 dinghy sailing course with a local Training Centre are eligible for £50 off the first year joining fee.

We want you to enjoy and get the most from your course.  And, of course, our instructors will do all they can to help you learn and have fun!

You can follow these tips to get the most from your training:

• Make sure the course is suitable for what you need and your current level of ability. Always ask if you're unsure.
• Read the pre-course information letter which we send to you.
• Complete any pre-course work before the course starts.
• Arrive promptly for your course.  There’s usually a lot to get done.
• Make sure you bring all you need with you to the course.
• Let your instructor know before the course starts about any health or learning needs you haven’t already mentioned.
• Tell your instructor straight away if you don’t understand anything.  Your instructor will always go over points as often as you need.   We want you to learn!
• Tell your instructor immediately if you’re not enjoying the course for any reason.  Your instructor can’t help if you wait until the end of the course!

We’ll do all we can to help you succeed.  Your instructor will keep you informed about your progress throughout the course.  Sometimes it’s not possible to complete all aspects of a course for a variety of reasons.  Your instructor will explain what you’ve achieved and how you can achieve your goals.

If for any reason you’re unsatisfied or have a complaint after talking to your instructor, please contact the course organiser to discuss the matter.  If you still feel dissatisfied, please contact the SYC Training Officer.