RYA Training at Crawley Mariners
		CMYC is an RYA Recognised Training Establishment in the National Sailing Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme. As an RYA Volvo Champion Club we are committed to an ongoing progression of Youth Race Training. First Aid and Powerboat courses are also available to members. Informal sail training is organised for all members on a number of Saturdays throughout the season.

More about RYA Training by Jon Emmett

There has been a great deal of change in the training systems over the past couple of years. Much of this has been due to the increased amount of funding available to the sport because of our success at the last Olympics, and the involvement of lottery funding at the top level. In addition to this, Volvo have supported the youth and junior sailing to enable a far higher standard of training to become available to more people.

The National Sailing Scheme itself has been drastically updated so as to make the chunks more bite-sized. There is now more difference between level one and two, and with modern boats tending to be lighter and easier to sail, there is really no need to spend five days learning basic skills (level two). The aim of this is to make "start sailing" (level one) more accessible.

After that you have a choice of five modules, which may be taken in any order: Day sailing, Spinnaker, Boat Handling, Seamanship and Racing. All courses are of approximately the same complexity and cover the previous syllabus (levels three to five) but with perhaps a greater degree of emphasis on the water skills.

There is now a huge range of classes to sail and the modules reflect keelboats, spinnaker boats, asymmetric boats as well as the advanced boat handling and racing modules (of the old level four). All courses are just two days (so weather permitting one weekend) and are therefore an option for anyone who has completed their basic skills. There is also no need for further experience between courses as long as a sufficient level of expertise is shown. All courses are either coastal or inland.

Ideally the new system has lots of advantages, although to be honest the majority of them are for the sailing schools' benefit (especially professional ones) as the courses are much easier to run. This is a huge benefit to the holiday market that will hopefully bring in fresh blood, or at least hold people's interest in the sport.

For those wishing to progress further, especially within the field of racing, it is time to turn to the class association for further coaching. The advantage of sailing in a class with a large association, or one of the Olympic dinghies, is that the strength and depth of the sailors are reflected in the class coaches. Those who sail in smaller classes should maybe consider one of the freelance coaches, if they wish a higher level of coaching expertise.

There is now the open training initiative to provide race training for all. This is operated through the class associations. RYA Junior and Youth Classes are supported by the RYA. For those at the top end there are squads: for Zone Squads you must be under 15 on 31 st December that year, for Junior Squads you must be under 15 on 31 st December that year, for Transitional Squads you must be under 16 on 31 st December in that year, for Youth Squads you must be under 19 on 31 st December in that year, (although some classes do have squads for Youth Sailors who sail junior boats because they are too small).

The system is a very clear step by step progression, and it does not stop there. Those who manage to medal could end up in the Olympic Development squad (World Class Potential) which is the intermediate step to World Class Performance Squads which means you get funding (Category A top 5 in the World Championships, Category B top 10 in the World Championships, Category C top 20 in the World Championships). However a large proportion of funding still comes from sponsors.

It is this system which makes team GBR arguably the best in the World. It is easy to get into a catch 22 situation, where you need funds to get results, but you do not get funds until you get results! However, once you get to the top you are supported, but the pressure remains to keep getting results to keep on receiving funding.

For those interested in power boating, the RYA offers a scheme with Level 1 and 2 Powerboat (introduction and basic skills) which then splits into two. The Safety Boat qualification deals with the skills needed when giving support for a group of boats (rescue techniques). This is required if you wish to be a Dinghy Instructor. There is the intermediate and advanced Powerboat certificate, for those who wish to skipper in more demanding conditions.

There are also several courses which go hand in hand with the scheme, such as the RYA first aid (which is valid for three years and once again is required for Dinghy Instructors) and VHF License (for those who will be operating VHF Radios). Whatever your needs the RYA has the learning resources and the schemes are kept updated to keep up with the progress in our sport.

About the Author: Jon Emmett learned to sail with CMYC and is currently campaigning the 49er (High Performance Skiff). He funds himself by his freelance coaching (he is a RYA National Coach). More details may be found on his Website:

www.jonemmettsailing.co.uk