In-House Instructor Training

Our Instructor Training programme is unique and unrivalled in Ireland. Our course ensures all students sailing are at the level required for the Royal Yachting Association pre-entry assessment. Our programme concentrates not only on sailing ability but on other key aspects necessary to be a successful instructor including presentation skills, interpersonal skills, risk analysis and on the water safety.

Parent’s and Candidate’s Information

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Candidates must be 16 years of age to become an instructor. For the 2019/20 programme, candidates must be 16 years of age by Friday 21st February 2020, the final day of the instructor course.

Step 1: Sail Training Module

Sail training runs on Saturdays from 10am-5pm and Tuesday to Friday of the Halloween Break (9am-5pm).

Sail Training Dates:

September 14th, 21st, 28th
October 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, 29th, 30th, 31st
November 1st, 2nd, 9th

The cost for this module is €459. Payment can be made in full, or split into two instalments, one of €259 due upon initial booking and the second of €200 due on the 26th of October. Both options can be availed of online below, or by calling 01 2844195.

Step 2: External Examination of Sailing Ability – RYA Pre-Entry Assessment

Prior to an instructor course all candidates are required to be assessed by an RYA appointed assessor. Currently the date for this assessment is Saturday the 16th or Sunday 17th November. The assessment takes place from 9am-5pm and costs €59.

Please note, that in the case of bad weather we have scheduled the weekend of Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of November as reserve dates.

This is a pass/fail exam. Attendance at training session will undoubtably help a student prepare, however, they may not be at the required standard to become an instructor. If they are unsuccessful, they will be unable to continue on the programme.

Step 3: Pre-Course Qualifications

Candidates undertaking a RYA instructor course are required to hold the following qualifications:

RYA Powerboat Certificate
First Aid Certificate – please note the RYA only accept a very limited number of first aid certificates
VHF Radio License

These courses have been scheduled to run after the RYA Pre-Entry Assessment on the 18th of November, and bookings for these courses will not be open until this date. This is to ensure that parents are not out of pocket if their child dosen't reach the required standard.

RYA Powerboat Certificate: Saturday 23rd and Saturday 30th November (9am-5pm each day). The cost is €249.
First Aid Certificate: Saturday 4th January (9.30am-4.30pm). The cost is €129.
VHF Radio License: Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th January (10am-5pm each day). The cost is €199.

Bookings can be made online after the 17th of November, or by calling 01 2844195.

Step 4: Sailing & Powerboat Handling Practice

All instructors must be able to safely operate a powerboat around sailing boats and perform safety duties. To provide training for this in addition to that of the powerboat course we’ve organised several practise days where candidates can build experience. Training runs from 10am-5pm on Saturdays.

December 7th, 14th, 21st
January 18th, 25th
February 1st, 8th, 15th

The cost for this training is €279.

Step 5: RYA Dinghy Instructor Course

The final hurdle to overcome is a 5 day course where candidates who were successful at the Pre-Entry are trained and assessed by RYA coach assessors.

The course will run over the February Mid-Term break, from Monday 17th-Friday 21st February from 9am to at least 5pm each day. The cost of the course is €299.