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Dinghy, Keelboat and Multihull Instructor

This section is for people wanting to teach the RYA Sailing Scheme. This scheme can be taught in dinghies, small keelboats and multihulls, and the instructor qualifications endorsed accordingly.

Dinghy, Keelboat and Multihull Instructor

This section is for people wanting to teach the RYA Sailing Scheme. This scheme can be taught in dinghies, small keelboats and multihulls, and the instructor qualifications endorsed accordingly. 

For simplicity, we will generally use the term 'dinghy instructor' here, but there is also specific information below about qualifying as a keelboat or multihull instructor. 

Qualification summary:

Assistant Instructor

Pre-entry assessment

Recommendation by Principal of the Recognised Training Centre 

Required certificates

One of the Sailing Scheme advanced modules 

Training course

Training should be based on a 20-hour course covering basic teaching principles, centre procedures and specific training in any unfamiliar equipment (see RYA book G14). Candidates will be assessed on their teaching ability with beginners. 
 
The training and assessment can be conducted by an appropriately trained Senior Instructor who has been nominated by the Principal or Chief Instructor. 
 
The Principal/Chief Instructor will authorise and sign the certificate. 

Qualified to teach

Up to Sailing Scheme Level 2 or Youth Sailing Scheme Stage 3 under the supervision of a Senior Instructor. As the AI's training is limited to assisting qualified instructors and does not include first aid or powerboat handling, AIs must never be allowed to work without direct supervision. 

Certificate validity

This is a centre-specific certificate, awarded by the training centre and valid for five years

Additional important information:

One of the Sailing Scheme advanced modules 

To find out more about becoming an Assistant Instructor, please contact your local training centre. 

Instructor

Minimum age

16

Required certificates

Experience

Experienced sailor in strong winds 

Pre-entry assessment

To be completed within one year prior to the instructor course. Read more... 

Training course

Normally a 50 hour/5 day week but could be modular over a number of weekends or days, with extra time allowed for revision. 
 
Training in teaching techniques afloat and ashore is provided during the course. 
 
Run by an RYA Dinghy Trainer and moderated on the final day by another RYA Coach/Assessor who has not been involved in the candidate's training. 
 
Candidates will be required to demonstrate competence in course preparation, delivery and management, as well as customer liaison. 
 
Instructor Course Dates 

Qualified to teach

Sailing Scheme Levels 1, 2 and 3, Day Sailing, Seamanship Skills and Sailing with Spinnakers (if suitably experienced and approved by the Principal or Chief Instructor) 
 
Youth Sailing Scheme Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4. 
 
Instructors are qualified specifically to teach on either dinghies, small keelboats or multihulls, depending on their training course and experience. 
 
Instructors are not assessed as competent in running a training centre, and should always work under the supervision of an RYA Senior instructor. 

Validity

Five years from the date of issue, provided that a valid first aid certificate is maintained. 

Additional important information: 

RYA membership is required for your RYA instructor qualification

Keelboat/Multihull endorsement 

Candidates who complete their instructor course in dinghies, but who want to teach in small keelboats or multihulls should obtain the relevant endorsement. Endorsement courses are run over two days by Trainers with the relevant experience, who have been appointed by the RYA. 
 
During the course, candidates must demonstrate their pre-entry test skills and teaching techniques. 
 
Candidates will be assessed on a continuous basis afloat and on successful completion, the course organiser will sign their logbook. 

Advanced Instructor 

Minimum age

16

Required certificates

Experience

Have at least one season's teaching experience. 

Pre-entry assessment

RYA instructor certificate, with experience of teaching sailing recorded since qualifying. 

Skilled to at least the level of the Performance Sailing and Sailing with Spinnakers courses. 

Should have previous powerboat handling experience in a teaching environment. 

Training course

This is a two-day course covering the teaching of boat handling, the use of spinnakers and 5 essentials coaching to the required standard, as well as powerboat driving. Candidates will be assessed on a continuous basis afloat and may be given a theory test. 

Upon successful completion of the course, the Trainer will sign their logbooks.  

Instructor Course Dates 

Qualified to teach

Can teach the Performance Sailing and Sailing with Spinnakers courses from the RYA National Sailing Scheme as well as all the courses that can be taught as an instructor. 

Validity

Five years from the date of issue, provided that a valid first aid certificate is maintained. 

Additional important information: 

RYA membership is required for your RYA instructor qualification

Racing Coach Level 1

Minimum age

16

Required certificates

Experience

Club racing

Pre-entry assessment

Minimum of nine club races completed and Assistant Race Officer role once

Training course

This one-day course will include the organisation of club racing, preparation and management of the Start Racing course and instructional techniques afloat including the use of race training exercises. Assessment is continuous. 

On successful completion, the candidate’s logbook will be signed by the Trainer. 

Instructor Course Dates 

Qualified to teach

Can teach National Sailing Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme Start Racing

Validity

Five years from the date of issue, provided that a valid first aid certificate is maintained. 

Additional important information:

RYA membership is required for your RYA instructor qualification

Foiling Instructor

Minimum age

16

Required certificates

Experience

RYA Sustained Flights 

Pre-entry assessment

RYA Dinghy Instructor with personal foiling experience to a RYA Sustained Flights level 

Training course

Four-day course. You will be assessed continuously throughout the course.  

Instructor Course Dates 

Qualified to teach

RYA First Flights or higher (Personal foiling level dependent) 

Validity

Five years from the date of issue, provided that a valid first aid certificate is maintained. 

Additional important information:

RYA membership is required for your RYA instructor qualification

Senior Instructor

Minimum age

18

Required certificates

Experience

Candidates must first be an RYA Dinghy Instructor and must fulfil the following criteria prior to the SI course: 

At least two years intermittent or one-year full time instructing since qualifying as an RYA Dinghy or Multihull Instructor (for Dinghy Senior Instructors) or as an RYA Keelboat Instructor (for Keelboat Senior Instructors). 

Sailing ability to at least the standard of RYA Instructor (an assessment may be necessary if sailing ability cannot be adequately demonstrated during the training course)  

Pre-entry assessment

Signed recommendation from the Principal of an RYA Recognised Training Centre. 

Completion of the Senior Instructor Workbook and any preparation work sent out by the Coaches prior to the course starting. 

Training course

Courses are run on a regional basis with a minimum of six students. 

The course may take the form of two weekends (four whole days) and include some material covered prior to the course. 

The assessment will be continuous and will be made by at least two Trainers.  

Application form 

Instructor Course Dates

Qualified to teach

On completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  • Organise and manage RYA National Sailing Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme sailing courses. 

  • Organise and control group sailing tuition of all ages and abilities. 

  • Supervising, direction and assisting a team of Instructors and Assistant Instructors. 

Validity

Five years from date of issue if supported by a valid first aid certificate. Little or no logged experience may require a re-assessment. 

Additional important information:

RYA membership is required for your RYA instructor qualification

An RYA recognised dinghy/keelboat/multihull training centre must have a current SI as its Principal or chief sailing instructor, though a Yachtmaster™ instructor may fulfil this role in a keelboat centre.

Dinghy Trainer 

Experience

A Senior Instructor with proven ability and extensive experience of the Sailing Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme in a variety of training centres. A thoroughly competent sailor with good communication, motivation and leadership skills, good fleet management and coaching, with a positive and enthusiastic approach. 

Required certificates

Pre-entry assessment

Nominated by a Regional Manager or RYA Training. 

Two-day selection process where instructors should be able to: 

  • Demonstrate and teach any part of the National Sailing Scheme including all the modules. 

  • Sail competently in a variety of boats including single handers and high-performance craft. 

  • Plan and manage a course involving sessions ashore and afloat. 

  • Demonstrate effective safety boat and coach boat skills. 

  • Give a formal presentation including the use of visual aids and chair a discussion. 

  • Show enthusiasm, motivation and leadership. 

Training course

This five-day course is held once each year and will include: 

  • The skills of teaching and assessing RYA Instructors. 

  • The RYA National Sailing Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme and standards required for instructional awards. 

  • Administration of the scheme. 

  • High performance sailing. 

  • Students with special needs, safeguarding and child protection. 

Qualified to teach

On successful completion of the course, you will normally be expected to organise and run your first instructor course with the help and mentoring of a more experienced Trainer. 

On successful completion of this you will be appointed as an RYA Trainer. 

Validity

Appointed annually. After five years a practical revalidation is required. 

Additional important information: 

RYA membership is required for your RYA instructor qualification

Self-declaration 

You will be asked to sign a declaration: 

In your capacity as an instructor, you must be able to effectively deliver the relevant syllabus and to look after the safety of your students. Accordingly, you confirm that at all times you can: 

  1. Communicate effectively with students, other water users and the centre.
  2. Recover other craft.
  3. Recover a person from the water without assistance.
  4. Keep an effective lookout by sight and sound and monitor the safety the vessel and crew. 

If for any reason, health or otherwise, you may require support to fulfil the requirements above you will be asked to provide further details. This information will be used by the RYA to consider what reasonable adjustments may be needed for me to instruct. Recognise also that adjustments identified on the training course may be taken into account.