Becoming a sailing instructor?

   OK, this may be a far-fetched idea, but it would be good to have some 

feedback.

I'm 43 and have been sailing since I was very young, although never had 

any lessons.

After about 20 years of living inland and doing mainly windsurfing and 

some yachting, I'm now back on the coast and keen to get back into 

dinghy sailing.

I've found that I'm rusty and a bit lacking in confidence, so I need to get 

lots of practice in. I've also toyed with the idea of becoming a part-time 

instructor - more as a hobby than to earn money - which, if nothing else, 

will give me an incentive to improve.

I have some concerns though:

1, Am I too old?

2, I assume I'll have to adapt my style to conform to RYA standards. Is it 

possible to change habits of a lifetime?

3, What is the process of becoming an instructor? Do I need to go through 

all the RYA levels beforehand?

Be interested in some sensible feedback!

Cheers

Phil

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Philsy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Sep 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 344	Post Options Post Reply Quote Philsy Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Becoming a sailing instructor? Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 3:36pm
	OK, this may be a far-fetched idea, but it would be good to have some feedback. I'm 43 and have been sailing since I was very young, although never had any lessons. After about 20 years of living inland and doing mainly windsurfing and some yachting, I'm now back on the coast and keen to get back into dinghy sailing. I've found that I'm rusty and a bit lacking in confidence, so I need to get lots of practice in. I've also toyed with the idea of becoming a part-time instructor - more as a hobby than to earn money - which, if nothing else, will give me an incentive to improve. I have some concerns though: 1, Am I too old? 2, I assume I'll have to adapt my style to conform to RYA standards. Is it possible to change habits of a lifetime? 3, What is the process of becoming an instructor? Do I need to go through all the RYA levels beforehand? Be interested in some sensible feedback! Cheers Phil

29er397 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 02 Feb 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 505	Post Options Post Reply Quote 29er397 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 3:47pm
	Hi Phil You are certainly not too old! I think you have to do the RYA levels 1 and 2 and one of the advanced courses to be accepted on to one of the pre-course assesments, once you have done this you can go on to the instructor course. It is worth wile helping out on some courses at a local club to get the practice working with the RYA system and practice at teaching. I myself am doing the DI course at the end of this season, and i have been helping as an assistant instructor for a number of years at my club. If you can get hold of an RYA coaching log book it is a good idea, it helps to pass the course if you can show what your previous experiance is. hope this helps Edited by 29er397
	Kielder Water Sailing Club

Guest Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 21 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guest Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 3:55pm
	Go for it - never too old. I am sure you'd get a huge ammount out of the process and others would benefit from your experience. Most instructors's are people doing it as a holiday or gap year job - there are a few who make a career out of it. I someone with a bit of life experience stands a good chance of becomming an excellent instructors. Rick

49erGBR735HSC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1991	Post Options Post Reply Quote 49erGBR735HSC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 4:15pm
	As everyone else is saying, age isn't an issue. I've worked with instructors from the age of 16 to late 50s early 60s. During the pre-assesment, your sailing ability will be tested and from this, its very easy to see if you have the experience to be an instructor, (the pre-assesment isn't hard if you are a competant sailor). Throughout the course, your confidence will build teaching wise. If you are a little bit un-confident about sailing and rusty, try and build on this but its still worth while doing the pre-assesment.
	Dennis Watson 49er GBR735 Helensburgh S.C Boat Insurance from Noble Marine

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 4:17pm
	The only reason you would need to do any RYA qualifications, bar the pre assessment, would be for your own sake, to see what happens on the courses you'd be teaching. They can be fun, though, anyway, and you meet a good cross section of people.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

jpbuzz591 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 24 May 05 Location: England Online Status: Offline Posts: 793	Post Options Post Reply Quote jpbuzz591 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 7:18pm
	I've been a qualifierf DI since october and have done quite a lot of teaching since then. Its very rewarding watching your students learn. I would recommend you do it, just make sure that you know what is in the pre-assessment (details on the RYA website) and make sure you can do it all to a competent standard.
	Jp Indoe Contender 518 Buzz591 Chew Valley Sailing club Bristol

Philsy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Sep 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 344	Post Options Post Reply Quote Philsy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 8:40pm
	Thanks for the encouraging feedback :) I've looked at the RYA site and it seems that I need a Level 2 powerboat certificate and a first aid one too. So I'll work towards those while I'm getting back into sailing. Then there is the pre-assessment, which sounds reasonably straightforward. I think I'll aim towards doing that next year. Cheers Phil

m_liddell Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 583	Post Options Post Reply Quote m_liddell Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 9:07pm
	Go for it, age is no issue at all, I know of loads of instructors 40+. Loads of centres get large amounts of people that age to do courses so you will be able to relate to them maybe better than an 18 year old. I did my DI course with no RYA sailing quals at all, just PB2 and first aid. Would be a good idea to read the RYA handbooks beforehand though. Edited by m_liddell

Philsy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Sep 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 344	Post Options Post Reply Quote Philsy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 9:10pm
	Is there a big relearning curve? I know, for instance, that the RYA teach the 'crossed daggers' method of holding the mainsheet and tiller extension. When I was a kid, the tiller extension went over your back shoulder. I'm sure I can change these things, though. Phil

jpbuzz591 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 24 May 05 Location: England Online Status: Offline Posts: 793	Post Options Post Reply Quote jpbuzz591 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 9:15pm
	Its not that big a change, I did the course after being self-taught, and was quite sloppy on tacks etc. not being the RYA way, but you soon get used to it. Its a good laugh and definately worth doing.
	Jp Indoe Contender 518 Buzz591 Chew Valley Sailing club Bristol