Junior Training
SYC runs a training scheme which is for the children of FAMILY members, aged between 8 (on the 1/4/2020) and 18. It takes place on Friday nights (5:00pm - 9:00pm) from 27th March 2020 to mid July 2020
, and caters for beginner to competent sailors. It is organised and run by club volunteers who are RYA instructors, or assistant instructors, with the aim of encouraging children to sail, race and have safe fun on the water. We are also running a younger splash group from 6yr to 8 yr, to act as a taster for water sports and sailing.
The cost is £44/child per season which contributes towards maintenance and fuel for the club dinghies, safety boats and equipment. Fees are payable with your annual membership renewal.
Parents will need to remain on site during the sessions. You will also have junior duties on a Friday eve to help with the smooth running of the sessions. These may include galley or helping get the rescue boats on the water. THESE DUTIES ARE ON TOP OF NORMAL CLUB DUTIES.
How to apply
The training sessions are limited to a maximum of 80 children for safety reasons (THIS ALSO DEPENDS ON THE BOATS BEING SAILED). Applications will be accepted on the following basis:
- For new applications please e-mail the Junior Membership Secretary via the contacts page. Current SYC members have priority for places until January 1st after which places will be opened up to new SYC members in order of application.
- Returning juniors can be signed up via Webcollect at the same time as family membership renewal. Please sign up by March 1st. After this date please e-mail to check availability.
It should be noted that Juniors membership depends on parents fulfilling duties such as junior galley, clearing up etc. (these are in addition to your main club duties). Failure to fulfill duties effectively may lead to exclusion in future years.
Coaching
Starcross Yacht Club is a recognised RYA Training Centre, we aim to encourage good skills and seamanship. These skills will be recognised by way of the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme, with the award of certificates. In line with RYA guidance, sessions are overseen by Senior Instructors and delivered by a mix of Dinghy Instructors, Race Coaches (Level 2), Assistant Instructors and parent helpers. We are all volunteers, who give our time freely. Your young sailor will be placed in a group based on sailing ability and age.
An overview of the coaching scheme can be found here.
| Groups | Boats | Experience required |
Coaching Topics |
| Beginner | Optimist,Topper, RS Feva, Wayfarer | None | RYA YSS Stage 1 |
| Improvers | Optimist / Topper/Tera | Can Tack, and Gybe | RYA YSS Stage 2 |
| Sailors | Optimist / Topper/Tera | Able to sail a shallow triangular course |
RYA YSS Stage 3 |
| RYA YSS Stage 4 | Topper, Oppie, Laser 4.7/Radial. Double-handers will intermittently be used to sign off on the RYA YSS Stage 4 topics. |
Able to easily and competently sail a triangular course, and an upwind sausage. Has (hopefully) raced at club level. | RYA YSS Stage 4 and some racing. |
| Advanced sailing skills and racing | Topper, Laser 4.7/Radial (must have own boat), double handers |
By selection |
topics/skills - race |
| Double handed race/RYA Seamanship Skills, free sailing, RYA Dinghy Instructor preparation. | Any boat | By selection |
RYA Seamanship Skills, free sailing, RYA Dinghy Instructor preparation |
NB ANYONE WANTING TO COUNT JUNIOR SAILING FOR THEIR DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD NEED TO INFORM US BY THE 1ST SESSION AT THE LATEST.
Club boats
The club owns several single and double handed boats. The single-handed Toppers and Oppies are used for beginners and more advanced sailors depending on size. The double-handed boats are used by beginners to enable a number of children to be coached at one go, or by the advanced group to learn double-handed sailing, spinnaker work, or instructor training.
Priority for the Club boats goes to new Juniors, but they can be used by all on a rota basis as decided on the Junior nights by the instructors.
Once able to sail, we encourage children to have their own boat in order to maximise the benefits of Junior Sailing and to provide fair access for all beginners.
Parents' Responsibilities
Would all parents please make themselves conversant with our Parents' Responsibilities page
Safeguarding and Equality
SYC Safeguarding and Equality Statements