Last updated:
29th February 2024
Instructor training
If you’re looking to work in the outdoors we can help you qualify as a sailing or paddling instructor, or simply keep your first aid up-to-date.
We're proud to be the centre where many sailing and paddlesport instructors start their careers. We select only the best tutors and educators to run our comprehensive instructor training programme. Many candidates go on to work for us, delivering high quality adventurous activities to our visitors.
We provide all the equipment you'll need, although you are welcome to bring your own, and a car parking permit for the duration of your course.
For the younger sailor looking to achieve their Assistant Instructor certificate, take a look at our Teen Sailing Club: here participants are encouraged to become independent, confident sailors, and is the perfect pathway for learning advanced sailing skills or starting on an instructor pathway.
For adults, work through the Introduction and Improvers Dinghy Sailing courses, progressing to achieve your advanced module through bespoke tuition before moving on to qualify as an Assistant Instructor.
RYA First Aid Course (8hr)
9am - 5pm (1day) | Age 14+
Learn the basics of land-based lifesaving skills and keep up to date with new techniques and procedures. The course is delivered by an experienced watersports instructor, who has many stories and tricks of the trade to share. The course meets the requirements for RYA and BC Instructors.
Archery GB Instructor Award
9am - 5.30pm (2 days) | Age 17+
The Archery GB Instructor Award is an entry-level Instructor training course that prepares Learners to deliver fun, safe sessions for beginners. It is designed for Learners with little or no prior experience of archery and is practical in nature with Learners take part in practical archery sessions.
You need to be 17 years old by the first day of the course and it is open to Both members and non-members of Archery GB.
Full details about the terms and conditions of entry onto a course can be found in the supporting guide ‘Archery GB Instructor Award Guidance for Learners’ found at www.archerygb.org/instructor
Book Archery GB Instructor Course
RYA Dinghy Assistant Instructor
9am - 6pm (2 days) | Age 13+
The RYA Assistant Dinghy Instructor award is the first step towards becoming a dinghy instructor. Participants will be encouraged to take a leadership role and develop their coaching and organisational skills. Once completed they will be able to assist as a volunteer on courses and events at the Activity Centre. This course is also suitable for people working towards their Duke of Edinburgh, Queen’s Guide, or Queen’s Scout awards.
Participants need to have RYA Stage 4 and at least one of the RYA Sailing Scheme advanced modules before taking the course.
Book Dinghy Assistant Instructor
RYA Dinghy Instructor Pre-Assessment
9.30am - 4.30pm (1 day) | Age 16+
Pre-assessment day for the RYA Dinghy Instructor course. An external RYA coach will assess your sailing skills to ensure they are up to standard before embarking on the course.
Book RYA Dinghy Instructor Pre-Assessment
RYA Dinghy Instructor
9.30am - 5.30pm (5 days) | Age 16+
Become qualified to teach dinghy sailing and pass on your love of the sport to others. Enjoy five days of developing your coaching style, refining your sailing technique and learning how to deliver sailing schemes professionally and enthusiastically. On successful completion, you will be eligible to work as a dinghy instructor in RYA training centres. Pre-requisites include:
- Pre-entry sailing assessment successfully passed
- RYA First Aid or equivalent
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
- RYA Safe and Fun safeguarding course
BCAB Foundation Safety and Rescue Training
9.00am - 5.30pm (1 day) | Age 16+
The Foundation Safety and Rescue training is for anyone wishing to keep safe and prepared on sheltered water venues. This is the ideal course if you would like to feel better prepared when paddling with friends, family or as a prerequisite to instructing and leadership qualifications, such as the British Canoeing Awarding Body (BCAB) Paddlesport Instructor, Leader or Coaching qualifications.
This course is open to all boaters and covers a variety of crafts to equip you for all situations when out paddling. The course has no assessment so there is more time to focus on training and practice to build on your existing experience.
For more information about the skills covered please visit here: https://www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/foundation-safety-rescue/
BCAB Paddle Sports Instructor Award
9.00am - 5.30pm (2 days) | Age 16+
Are you a paddler? Do you love to have fun on the water and want to share your passion for paddling with people of all ages and backgrounds? Fancy a change of pace and want to work outdoors doing something you love?
Then why not sign up to the British Canoeing Awarding Body (BCAB) Paddlesport Instructor course? As a Paddlesport Instructor you are often the first person to introduce people to the wonderful world of watersports, through taster or beginner sessions within a club, centre, youth group or other organisation setting. As the qualification is not discipline specific it allows instructors to work with paddlers of all crafts in a competitive or non-competitive discipline.
The course combines training and assessment, and you will learn:
- How to equip and prepare a group for the activity
- Explore a range of activities to engage your group such as games, tasks and journeys
- The tutor will provide you with tips and techniques to motivate your group and tweak participants technique with common ‘fixes’
- Maintaining safety; both your personal and the participants
- That being a Paddlesport Instructor is a fun and rewarding job!
Additional Costs:
Please note that you will need to register for the award individually through the British Canoeing website.
Membership of the BCAB will also be required and a current First Aid certificate.
For more information on the course syllabus please visit here:
https://www.britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/level-1-paddlesport-instructor/
RYA Safe and Fun
Online Course
This course is suitable for anyone working with children and vulnerable adults in an RYA environment. This includes those volunteering or working at recognised training centres and affiliated clubs.
It provides a basic level of knowledge and awareness, put in the context of realistic scenarios that anyone could encounter at their club or centre.
It is a requirement for all newly qualifying Level 2 Racing Coaches, Dinghy and Windsurfing Instructors and Senior Instructors to complete prior to their instructor/coach training course. They must also complete a pre-course worksheet which is accessed within the Safe and Fun course, and take that with them to the instructor course.