Training Calendar
9 April 2025- 10.00-1.00
Junior Race Training – this is for experienced helms and those wishing to get involved in racing
12/13 April, 26/27 July 2025
Adult & Youth Training Course, RYA level 1-2, Youth 1-3, possible race course
28 July – 1 August
Optimist Training Week, RYA Stage 1-3 and racing courses
- All training takes place at Cam Sailing Club unless otherwise stated and is for members only.
- Add the training events to your calendar https://www.google.com/calendar/ical/4ss741so2de87hrc34qm26ap80%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
Adult & Youth Training
Our Adult & Youth Training will be held over 2 weekends as above from 9.30am to 5.00pm. All these are for adults and youths of 14 yrs and upwards. All these are run under the RYA training establishment and all instructors are qualified by the RYA. Level one and level two courses are available. You do need to be members to access these courses. Fees for membership are shown under membership on this website.
The level one course provides a short introduction for novices. By the end of the course you will have a basic understanding of dinghy-handling techniques and background knowledge.
Level two leads you onto a basic knowledge of sailing and sailing in light winds without an instructor on board. It will be assumed that every candidate has already mastered the skills required for Start Sailing if this course is selected.
The cost for the two days is £140.
In addition to these days there are some sessions for informal training that is being run by experienced helms, not necessarily RYA instructors. These can be access by contacting Henry Bird by e-mail – address on the club card under Press Officer. Times and dates for these are by arrangement.
Following the course there are races in which beginner helms can enter and compete against good helms using a personal handicap. It works a little like a golf handicap in reverse so the better the helm is the higher the personal handicap which is applied to the finish time. The better helms have personal handicaps of above 10, beginners will be zero so stand a good chance of finishing closer to the winning boat or winning.
The following races are deemed as personal handicap:-Pitteway Salver, Easter Egg Race, Harris Sugar Bowl, SM Pennant, DSF Pennant, Doctors Cup (this is for those who have not won any silver ware)
The closing date for applications is 21st March for 12/13th April and 5th May for the other courses. Please email John Howett at john.howett3@googlemail.com to apply.
Optimist & Youth Topper Training Week 28 July – 1 August
Optimist & Youth Topper Training Week is the main training week for the Cam Optimist & Topper Fleets. The week was set up to enable children sailing with us to train and be coached at our club and then to become, or continue to be, involved with the Cam Optimist & Topper Fleets attending sailing and racing sessions.
If a child only attends the week and does not sail at other times during the year, the child’s and parents’ expectations for improvement during the week have been found to be higher than the standard the child will actually achieve. It is also difficult for instructors to move forward with their groups if they have to recap course work and instruct on basic sailing on the water from the previous year. Although it is good to be awarded a RYA Certificate, it is always ‘time spent on the water’ which consolidates what has previously been learned, improves sailing standard and produces good helms.
We do want children to have fun but would like to point out to parents that the week is primarily a sailing course to promote Junior Sailing at our club and not meant for purely a summer holiday activity. However, no keen Cam child will be discouraged from taking part as we also wish to promote Junior Sailing at all levels for children who wish to be involved in the sport.
In previous years the week has often been oversubscribed. Partly with this in mind we have set a minimum age of 8 years for all children applying.
The Beginner Group is for children with little or no sailing experience, or for children just needing to gain further confidence afloat and will have 12 children sharing the 6 Club Optimists. Member’s children will be accepted in line with the following criteria:
- Club member at time of sign up and gone through committee,
- Age 8 or over
- Siblings in the other groups
- Discretion of the committee
Children applying for other groups do need to provide their own Optimist or Topper dinghy for the week. We will also wish to know the sailing experience your child has had since the previous year’s Optimist Week and evidence of your child’s own commitment for wanting a place on the course to learn and improve. Preference will be given to those who attended last year’s Junior Training Week.
The Training Committee will look at all applications before children are offered a place on the course in other groups.
The cost for the week will be £100 per child. The Beginner Group children will also pay an extra charge of £35 for the hire of the Club Optimists.
Application forms can be downloaded from the website. Completed forms must be submitted to John Howett, Principal of our Training Establishment at Cam, by 5th May. You will be informed by the end of May if your child has a place on the course.