Youth Training
Youth Training at Warsash operates on a voluntary parent-led basis with all parents involved either as coaches or support team. We have a strong focus on encouraging the development of grass roots sailing and over the last 10 years the youth section has grown to over 160 children; with an age range of 6 -18 years, many of whom have gone on to represent GBR at various levels. The club prides itself on making sailing available to everyone and provides Optimists for at least the first 3 years of a child’s sailing development; after that we expect children to obtain their own boat, though we have some Picos and Fevas for older children.
The diagram below shows the progression through youth training with further details in the table below it. As well as offering opportunities for those wanting to sharpen up their Racing skills our programme also offers participants a chance to develop the Seamanship side of sailing via the “Seabass” and “Adventure” groups.
Many “ex Kippers” continue to be involved in Youth Sailing @ WSC as Dinghy Instructors, Assistant Instructors & Race Coaches and the club is pleased to be able to help them gain these qualifications. We are proud that a number of our sailors are invited to join the various RYA and Class Association training squads each year and subsequently show us their new found racing skills during Club Racing.
Places on the WSC Youth Training programme are typically filled at the start of the programme each year, late entry is therefore not usually possible and we cannot promise a place in advance. Only children who are members of WSC may join the programme.
Registration for the 2023 was on Sunday March 12th at 11am.
Click here to download the Youth Registration Checklist 2023.
See the briefing slides for 2021 here:
Welcome to Youth Sailing Registration 2021 (office.com)
Non-members wishing to join WSC, so that their children can take part in Youth Training in a particular year, are advised to apply for family membership by no later than the beginning of January of that year. This is so that their membership applications can be considered by the Executive Committee meeting held at the start of February. Children already holding RYA qualifications will be assessed by our Youth instructors to determine where their skills fit within our training programme.
For more information please email kippers@warsashsc.org.uk
| Group | Objective | Min Age (and weight) | Min Entry Requirement | Boats Used |
| Sprats | Gain water confidence, being safe, wind awareness and having FUN. | 6 (Year 1) | Enthusiasm | Club Oppies |
| Kipper 1 | Work towards: RYA Youth Level 1: Tacking, boat balance and sailing using Tiller Extension. | 7 (Year 2) | Water confidence | Club Oppies |
| Kipper 2 | Work towards: RYA Youth Level 2: Sailing around a shallow triangle & gybing correctly. | 8 | RYA Youth Level 1 | Club Oppies |
| Kipper 3+ | Work towards: RYA Youth Level 3/4: Basic racing skills, starting, upwind, downwind & performance sailing. | 8 | RYA Youth Level 2 | Your own Oppie |
| Sea Bass | Work towards: RYA Youth Level 3: Sailing upwind, performance tacking & gybing, crewing & seamanship skills. | 8 (35kg for Toppers) | RYA Youth Level 2 | Club Picos or Your own Topper 4.2 |
| Adventure | Work towards: RYA Youth Level 4: Day sailing, seamanship skills, adventure & fun. | 9 (35kg for Toppers) | RYA Youth Level 3 | Club Picos or Your own Topper |
| Race Topper | Gain RYA Youth Level 4: Racing skills, events & competitive sailing. | 9 (35kg) | RYA Youth Level 3 | Your own Topper |
| Race Feva | Gain RYA Youth Level 4: Spinnakers skills & competitive sailing. | 11 (combined crew weight >80kg) | RYA Youth Level 3 | Club Fevas |
| Laser | Gain RYA Youth Level 4: Racing skills, events & competitive sailing. | 11 (35kg) | RYA Youth Level 3 | Your own boat |
| Race Open | Club racing, events, coaching & mentoring by WSC members. | 12 | RYA Youth Level 4 | Your own Boat |
Safeguarding Officer Kristy Warren
OnBoard is the RYA’s children’s sailing and windsurfing programme. It offers children the opportunity to try watersports in a safe, fun and structured environment.
OnBoard is a beginner programme that gets people on the water for their first time. If you would like to learn how to sail, there is no experience or equipment needed to get you started. The programme is also progressive, so you can work your way through the RYA Youth Schemes.
As well as getting fresh air and exercise, children’s sailing offers a wide range of invaluable life skills, from problem solving to confidence and teamwork.