Youth Sailing

Youth Training at Warsash operates on a voluntary parent-led basis with all parents contributing as either coaches or part of the support team.  We have a strong focus on developing grassroots sailing, and over the last 10 years, our youth section has grown to include over 160 children aged 6 to 18. Many of these young sailors have gone on to represent GBR at various levels — a testament to the strength of our programme.

The club takes pride in making sailing accessible to everyone. We provide Optimists for at least the first three years of a child’s sailing journey. After that, we encourage children to obtain their own boat, though we also have a fleet of Picos and Fevas available for older sailors.

The table below outlines the progression from youth training to racing for those whose children are inspired by it. In addition to opportunities for improving racing skills, our programme also allows participants to develop their seamanship through the “Seabass” and “Adventure” groups.

Many former “Kippers” continue to contribute to youth sailing at WSC as Dinghy Instructors, Assistant Instructors, and Race Coaches. The club is proud to support them in gaining these qualifications. We are also delighted that several of our sailors are invited each year to join RYA and Class Association training squads, where they refine their racing skills and showcase them during Club Racing.

Every March, we hold Youth Sailing Registration, where our Kipper King, Laurence Shell, provides a full briefing on the upcoming season, including all the sailing weekend dates — be sure to mark it in your diary! Youth Sailing Registration bookings are open for just two weeks, so don’t miss the deadline. Places on the Youth Sailing programme are usually filled at the start of the year, and late entry is rarely possible. We cannot guarantee a place in advance, and participation is open only to children who are members of WSC.

Non-members who wish to join the Club so their children can participate in Youth Training are encouraged to apply for family membership by early January. This allows their membership applications to be reviewed at the Executive Committee meeting held at the start of February. We may be able to accommodate later applications, so please contact the Member Services Office for more information. Children who already hold RYA qualifications will be assessed by our Youth Instructors to determine the most suitable level within our training programme.

Registration for 2025 is on Sunday March 16th at 11am.

Click here to download the Youth Registration Checklist 2025.

Please login to the members portal to book your child onto Youth Sailing 2025. Available from 16th March 11:45 until 30th March 23:59.

See the briefing slides for 2021 here: Welcome to Youth Sailing Registration 2021 (office.com)

For more information please email kippers@warsashsc.org.uk

Safeguarding Officer Kristy Warren

OnBoard is the RYA’s children’s sailing and windsurfing programme. It offers children the opportunity to try watersports in a safe, fun and structured environment.

OnBoard is a beginner programme that gets people on the water for their first time. If you would like to learn how to sail, there is no experience or equipment needed to get you started. The programme is also progressive, so you can work your way through the RYA Youth Schemes.

As well as getting fresh air and exercise, children’s sailing offers a wide range of invaluable life skills, from problem solving to confidence and teamwork.