Welcome Info

Boat and Equipment (for Single Handed Dinghy Courses only)

Boats need to be complete with spars, sail, buoyancy bags (if buoyancy not built-in), daggerboard, rudder, tiller with tiller extension, paddle, bailer and sponge. A measurement certificate is not required. It is very helpful to have all loose parts identified with the sail number or boat name. The painter should be firmly attached, free of knots, and if possible 4 metres long. A launching trolley is essential for the skipper to be more independent when it comes to launching and recovery.

Optimists only:  To avoid the risk of serious damage to the mast thwart, a fitting to prevent the mast accidentally coming out of the mast step is essential, either a cleat or a mast clamp. Inflatable buoyancy bags must be without leaks, and firmly secured.

Clothing

Clothes suitable for sailing in the expected weather conditions.
Typically during Easter Courses: Warm clothes (including a hat, gloves and at least four layers of clothing on the upper trunk with a waterproof final layer), soft soled trainers or sailing boots, waterproof digital wrist watch (not essential for beginners).
Typically during Summer Courses: Ensure sun protection with high factor sun cream, hat and sunglasses (to reduce glare from water), soft soled trainers or sailing boots, waterproof digital wrist watch (not essential for beginners).
A wet-suit or dry-suit is not essential for beginners. Generally if a beginner capsizes they will come off the water, have a warm shower and debrief what happened with the group afterwards. Intermediate and advanced sailors are encouraged to continue sailing after capsizing, but for this to be done safely they will need to be wearing a wet-suit or dry-suit.

Needed Every Day

• A complete change of sailing clothes (as described above) including footwear
• Buoyancy aid (or one can be borrowed from ICS for the week)
• Waterproof lightweight jacket
• Waterproof lightweight over-trousers (recommended in cold or wet weather)
• Gloves (sailing gloves are best, fingerless in the summer)
• Hat (warm hat essential in cold weather / sun hat essential in hot weather)
• Large strong plastic bag for wet clothes (a strong dustbin bag is ideal)
• Large towel
• RYA Junior Log Book (we provide on first day if necessary)
• Single Handed Courses only: A large sponge and bailer (A large plastic bottle with handle and cap still attached, with bottom cut away, is perfectly adequate)

Labelling all items of clothing and equipment ensures that lost property has a chance of being identified.

What Not To Bring

Money, gaming devices, sweets (unless by prior arrangement – e.g. diabetic).

During Single Handed Courses mobile phones should be left in the office or changing room. For the residential Adventure Courses phones will be kept in the office except during the designated hour each evening when students can call home or access social media.