The club runs regular beginners courses for children during the spring and summer. The courses are aimed at children wishing to have an introduction to sailing in a safe and fun environment.

The course takes place on two consecutive Saturday mornings (9.30am-12.30am) or afternoons (1.30pm-4.30pm).

The course itself follows the International Optimist Class Association (IOCA) Start Sailing Award and aims to teach the children at their own pace the basics of sailing an Optimist Dingy. The courses aim to cover the following areas.

·        Launch & Recovery – can launch and recover the boat.

·        Sailing Tech & Manoeuvres - can go about on the water, broad reach to broad reach.

·        Clothing & equipment – can select and fit the right size buoyancy aid and helmet.

·        Capsize & Recovery - can swim around an Optimist in a buoyancy aid.

·        Safety – Understands basic safety and how to be towed.

·        Meteorology – can find the wind direction.

Typically the child should be able to swim and will be between the ages of 7-10. Younger children will be accepted if the parents feel they are sufficiently confident to sail on their own. The club provides the use of an Optimist dingy, safety helmet and buoyancy aid for the duration of the course, however the children will need clothing suitable for the conditions.

Prices per child for the courses are as follows: Non-members £60 (£20 refundable if you subsequently join the club), £40 for members.

The training group consists of a maximum of six children and so places on the beginners courses are in high demand. For further information or to check availability on a course please email beginners@wwsc.org.uk.

This is a great introduction to Optimist sailing and following this children are able to progress to the intermediate level in their own boats and join in Optimist Club on a regular basis. Hire boats are also available for children, coming out of beginners, to use for a couple weeks until they get their own boat.