Youth Overview

Welcome to the Youth section. Here you can find out all about the fantastic opportunities for young sailors at Chew. With the help of many volunteers our goal is to provide:

  • Sail training and fun & games on the water
  • Race coaching
  • Safe and enjoyable environment

The Club has a strong commitment to youth sailing, not least because over one third of our members are under 19! And we have an excellent track record of success at both national and international youth sailing events.

We provide a safe and enjoyable sailing training and racing environment with a programme of activities designed to cater for different objectives and sailing abilities:

  • “I want to be able to confidently handle a boat”
  • “I want to gain RYA sailing qualifications”
  • “I want to progress to club racing / RYA Squads”

For parents and sailors alike, the club is a sociable, involving, fun and safe place to spend time with like-minded families enjoying the sport we love!

The dates for all events are included in the Club Sailing Programme and/or on the online youth calendar.

 Club Boats

For youth sailors, there are club Optibats, RS Teras, Toppers and RS Fevas that are available for members to hire. If you want any advice or help with rigging, then contact any of the Youth Sailing team.

 Training for Parents and Helpers

The Youth Sailing Programme is run entirely by volunteers, and the more volunteers we have the more activities we can provide. Even if you have no experience we can help you get qualifications in Power Boat and First Aid, and for the more experienced, Dinghy Instructor and Race Coach qualifications. If you would like to get involved, then please get in touch.

 Safety

Safety is of paramount importance to the volunteers who run the activities. However, participants (and their parents) are entirely responsible for their own safety, whether afloat or ashore, and nothing reduces this responsibility. It is for participants/their parents to decide whether both they and /their boat are fit to sail in the conditions on the day. Parents should attend the club during events unless notified otherwise

All participants are to wear a buoyancy aid of an appropriate standard at all times when afloat. In addition, all participants are to wear a wetsuit or dry-suit, whenever to “W” code flag is flying on the Club mast.

Coaches use RIBs and other boats to enable them to provide instruction on the water. They have VHF radios to stay in touch with the Duty Club Rescue officer who has overall rescue responsibility.

Coaches using RIBs are all Power Boat 2 qualified and so will also provide safety cover. Chew Crew and Race Group instructors and coaches are also generally Dinghy Instructor or Race Coach qualified. Both these qualifications include basic First Aid.

You should ensure the Coach is aware of any relevant medical conditions before each event.