The Royal Yacht Club of Victoria is a Australian Sailing (formerly Yachting Australia) Discover Sailing Centre accredited to teach the Australian Sailing Dinghy Program. The program introduces students to the basic principles of small boat sailing, water safety, wind and tides, rigging and boat handling in small Off the Beach Dinghies.

All courses are conducted by accredited Australian Sailing instructors and assistants and incorporate both on-water and class room activities. Royals Training Centre teaches courses in the Small Boat Sailing Dinghy program in Pacer dinghies. The Pacer is a 4 meter double handed ‘Off the Beach Dinghy’ and is the boat of choice for both Learn to Sail and Teams Racing throughout Australia.

There are five courses in the Australian Sailing Small Boat Sailing Dinghy Program. Royals Training Centre combine the first two courses in the program, Start Sailing 1 and 2, into an 8 week course designed for youth and adults with little or no experience sailing. More advanced skills and techniques are gradually introduced as students progress through the syllabus so that, by the end, they will be ready to start racing at their local sailing club or just enjoy being out on the water.

Start Sailing 1 & 2 – Introduction to Sailing

This course is designed for youth and adults with little or no sailing experience.

What you’ll learn:

Upon completion of this course you will have a basic understanding of:

• safety & equipment
• rigging (setting up)
• rope work
• sailing techniques and manoeuvres – including sailing on all points of sail
• capsize recovery
• basic awareness of weather and tides
• sailing theory – including ‘rules of the road’ and sailing technology

Duration: Weekly morning sessions spread over 6 weeks.

Cost: $320 for RYCV Members | $350 for non-members

Dates: TBC

Better Sailing – Intermediate

This course is designed to equip you with enhanced skills and awareness of the surrounding environment and build on the skills and knowledge introduced in the Start Sailing 1 and 2 programs. It is expected that students have mastered the skills of Start Sailing 2 prior to commencing this course.

What you’ll learn:

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

• rig a boat to suit the conditions
• demonstrate correct boat, sailing gear and sail care
• participate in multiple boat towing
• correctly roll tack, roll gybe, sail the boat backwards
• set sails to advantage
• identify controls used to adjust sail shape
• correctly adjust sail shape to suit conditions
• identify wind shifts

Duration: 8 Weeks

Cost: $320 for RYCV Members | $350 for non-members

Dates: Contact the office.

Start Racing – Advanced

Designing to introduce you the fundamentals of racing an ‘Off the Beach’ Dinghy and prepare you to start racing.

What you’ll learn:

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

• ring a boat for optimal performance in current conditions
• perform over the gunwale capsize recovery
• identify line bias and favoured end
• perform starts in accordance with start signals
• understand boat trim, balance & centreboard position on all legs of the racing course
• adjust sail shape in response to changing conditions
• observe rules covering starting, mark rounding, overlaps, penalties, on same back on opposite tacks and obstructions while racing

Duration: 8 Weeks

Cost: $320 for RYCV Members | $350 for non-members

Dates: Contact the office.

Better Racing – Advanced

Introduces advance racing techniques for those wanting to improve their performance during racing.

What you’ll learn:

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

• be aware of rig and sail combinations, best suited to individuals
• raft up with support boat between races
• control boat speed to advantage at starts
• engage in two boat tuning
• identify wind patterns to determine favoured side of course and develop a race plan
• use a compass to determine line bias, wind patterns and timings
• use Racing Rules to gain tactical advantage

Duration: 8 Weeks

Cost: $320 for RYCV Members | $350 for non-members

Dates: Contact the office.

Contact our Sail Training & Development Manager on (03) 9397 1277 or at training@rycv.asn.au for dates, further information and to enrol. Ian may also be contacted by mobile on 0413 615 874.