Training
If you have any questions on any of these courses be sure to get in contact training@ndyc.org or contact our principal on principal@ndyc.org
Welcome to the Training Pages. May I introduce myself. My name is Jonathan Miles and I am the school principal. Having previously been Rear Commodore at the club and I am also an RYA qualified Race Coach and Race Officer. Our vision for the training department is to deliver the highest quality training for all our members and to encourage them all into the delights of water sports, whether cruising, racing, or motor boating. We seek to encourage full use of teh club and its facilities.
Message from the Principal
(17/4/25)
Hi Everyone. As the new sailing season approaches, I thought it worthwhile giving all an update on our activities in the Training Department.
First of all, I wanted to recognise the fantastic efforts by all training staff, and volunteers in the great achievements in 2024 culminating this February in winning the RYA Club of the Year award in the Young Persons category. This is one of the big awards of the season and recognition of the club in our developments supporting young persons sailing. You can see our certificates in the club entrance.
Last year the adult training also progressed well and the training department continues to support the Follow On Sailing (FOS) group with instructors and patrol boat resources.
Young Pirates was vastly oversubscribed and we are pleased to announce the arrival of 6 more Optimist sailing dinghies donated by the RYA on a purpose built trailer. More for our sailing Bosun Jon Farr!
The Youth Squad moved from strength to strength with the formation of a new Youth Committee and the appointment of a Youth Member on the general Committee. Thanks to all the young persons for their support.
This Year the Training department will continue to support Adult and Youth Sailing outside formal training and extend those resources. We have just invested in a new Patrol boat like Curlew and will be looking for names when it arrives next month.
Continuing development of our staff is important and recognised by the RYA in encouraging continuous professional development programmes. We have introduced Instructor days where we will be offering updates and further training to our instructor teams and it will be compulsory for all NDYC instructors to attend at least one such day every 2 years.
Instructor pay has been enhanced to keep pace with the living wage, but we also require more of our instructors. We aim to offer a clear pathway for all instructors and to this end we have created a post of Lead Instructor for those taking on greater responsibility as a pathway to Senior instructor. We aim to offer our young people not only training afloat but all continuous personal development in line with the RYA objectives.
Finally as we now take on our application for an RYA Racing Pathway club we are developing more race training opportunities and looking to offer multihull training.
For our powerboaters we are continuously looking at how we can develop our powerboat offer and planning opportunities with VHF and dayboat training but these need a bit more work. We welcome feedback from all members over what support the Training Group can offer.
Jonathan Miles
School Principal
Training Courses and Links:
To take part in any training course you need to be a member of the club. Jump to the Membership link if you are not a member.
North Devon Yacht Club is recognised by the Royal Yachting Association as a training establishment and as such offer full RYA training courses for:
Instructor Training and information
Our Instructors are either RYA Power Boat Instructors, RYA Dinghy Instructors or RYA Assistant Instructors and RYA Race Coach Level 2. Dinghy Instructors and Coaches all hold a valid First Aid Certificate, Power Boat Certificates and are DBS checked as do many of our other support staff. Our safety boat drivers are all experienced and qualified.
Our RYA courses are run to the guidelines specified by the RYA; this includes the instructor pupil ratio, the number of safety boats to number of sailing boats and the content of the course. Attending one of our RYA courses does not guarantee that a certificate for that course level will automatically be issued.
Cadet Weeks
Cadet weeks run over 3 weeks in August and we try to group ability levels. There is a big step from Stage 2 to Stage 3, and between Stage 3 and Stage 4. Completing Stage 2 during a week in the summer and then expecting to pass Stage 3 after one weeks training the following summer will not happen, the cadets need to practice and consolidate their skills, this is why the club boats are available for them to use during racing times throughout the year. Attending a cadet week does not guarantee a certificateIt as it is important that we only issue certificates to those cadets who have reached the required standard to pass the course. This is particularly relevant as they progress to the more advanced courses.
The RYA provides us with strict guidelines on how children should be treated and the measures we as a club should take to ensure their safety and protection. A copy of the Club Child Protection Policy is available for viewing in the club.
Youth Squad
We offer free access to the Youth Squad who have a qualified instructor assisting and encouraging safe sailing. Although group tuition takes place this is not an RYA certificated course. Within YS activities we are also trialing a full RYA certificate Race Coaching course that is paid for and is lead by an RYA qualified race Coach. This is targeted at youth sailors wanting to progress into racing at club level and beyond.
Contacts for Training:
School Principal - jonathan Miles: principal@ndyc.org
Training Officer - Bernadette Heason: training@ndyc.org
Club Admin - Camila Heaton :Info@ndyc.org
Senior Instructor Sail - Eric Evans
Chief instructor Power - Mike Worrall
Last updated 9:50am on 17 April 2025