Becoming a sailing instructor?
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1906
Printed Date: 15 Aug 25 at 4:26pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Becoming a sailing instructor?
Posted By: Philsy
Subject: Becoming a sailing instructor?
Date Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 3:36pm
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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 |
Replies:
Posted By: 29er397
Date Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 3:47pm
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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 ------------- http://www.kielderwatersc.org - Kielder Water Sailing Club |
Posted By: Guest
Date Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 3:55pm
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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 ------------- |
Posted By: 49erGBR735HSC
Date Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 4:15pm
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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 http://www.helensburghsailingclub.co.uk/ - Helensburgh S.C http://www.noblemarine.co.uk/home.php3?affid=560 - Boat Insurance from Noble Marine |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 4:17pm
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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 |
Posted By: jpbuzz591
Date Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 7:18pm
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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 |
Posted By: Philsy
Date Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 8:40pm
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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 ------------- |
Posted By: m_liddell
Date Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 9:07pm
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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. |
Posted By: Philsy
Date Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 9:10pm
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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 ------------- |
Posted By: jpbuzz591
Date Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 9:15pm
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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 |
Posted By: Calum_Reid
Date Posted: 20 Jun 06 at 10:16pm
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Yeah its easy changed I did my instructor with 5 over 40's from my club and they all coped fine.
Its great fun teaching people and very rewarding! ------------- 
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