To be eligible for the Sailing Leaders program, applicants must hold one or more of the awards listed below. Although Sports Leaders do not currently offer sailing instructors training, we've added a link to provide more information on gaining coaching awards as we always encourage people to gain instructing qualifications.

Each award has been certified by the UK governing body for sailing, the RYA (Royal Yachting Association):

RYA Powerboat Level 2 - This award encompasses the main skills a powerboat driver on camp would need to drive safely and competently. Along with the basic skills required in powerboat driving, applicants who have gained this qualification will have demonstrated their competence in launching, mooring, anchoring and recovery.

RYA Dinghy, Multihull and Small Keelboats Level 2 - With the basic skills of sailing already obtained, the level 2 certificate allows the candidate to learn the finer tactics of rigging, launching and sailing. They'll also be taught the knowledge and skills of capsize recovery and safe yachting.

RYA Intermediate Windsurfing - Having learned the basic knowledge of equipment and sailing techniques from previous courses, the intermediate level helps the applicant to advance as a windsurfer. They'll be competent in the skills of harness and footstrap techniques, board planning, beach starts and all-points sailing.

RYA Personal Water Craft Proficiency Course - Although the PWC or jet ski is considered to be the easiest craft to pilot, it's believed that applicants should have a qulification to prove their ability to operate safely before working with PWC's on camp. This award teaches the applicant the vital skills of launching, handling and recovery skills and also provides them with the knowledge of safe passage and decision making.
(More information on the RYA awards can be found at www.rya.org.uk)