SCYC offers training in a number of different areas and is an RYA recognised teaching establishment using fully qualified instructors in all areas. Courses are run both from the Club and beach at Abersoch and at nearby Pwllheli. Over the past 12 years these courses have become increasingly popular. To avoid Summer disappointment, please be sure to book early.

		Places on the courses will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, upon receipt of the completed Application Form and Course Fee. Should we not be able to accommodate a child on a course, then the fee will be returned. Please note, however, that we will not be able to return the Course Fees when cancellation is requested, unless notice is received 14 days prior to the date the course is due to commence, except in the case of extreme emergency. This will enable us to bring forward any children from waiting lists, who otherwise may not have the opportunity to participate

Over the past 12 years over 1,600 children have been taught to sail by the Abersoch Sail Training Association (ASTA) During that time the Club has been extremely fortunate in the Instructors and now Senior Instructors that we have employed. Above all it is meant to be a fun introduction into a sport at which Team Great Britain excels, and we would ask all parents to bear this in mind.

Early booking is encouraged as these courses are always oversubscribed. The rough rule of thumb would be that children between 7 and 12 years of age who have not sailed before should enroll on the Optimist courses and that children over 12, or those who have successfully completed the first stage, should enroll on the Pico Courses instead. We are also offering courses in Fast Asymetric boats that should suit more advanced sailors or adults.

Course Briefing Notes
Course Objectives
Joining Instruction
Schedule
Clothing
Parental Supervision
Complaints
Certification
Medical Conditions and Disabilities
Food
Refunds

Course Briefing Notes - Introduction
The lessons will be carried out by an RYA Qualified Dinghy Instructor together with an assistant using the Abersoch Sail Training Association (ASTA) OPTIBAT's for children aged 8 to 11‚ PICO dinghies for the older children and fast asymetric dinghies for teenager's upwards.
The courses are suitable for children and adults over the age of 8yrs who should preferably be able to swim or are taking swimming lessons.

Course Objectives
The courses are run in accordance with the RYA YOUNG SAILORS scheme, which is a national scheme and has three stages as outlined on our website www.scyc.co.uk.

Joining Instruction
The meeting point for the lessons is the main beach in Abersoch, near the Yacht Club end. You should aim to arrive 10 minutes before the lesson time.

Clothing
If your child has suitable water sports clothing please bring it along. The club will provide buoyancy aids.
Tracksuits or other similar loose fitting clothes are very suitable. Please ensure your child has a towel and change of clothes, they will get wet!
A risk assessment has been carried out on the training activities and has identified the need for suitable footwear to protect against cuts by glass and stings from Weaver Fish. Please also ensure that your child has adequate protection against sunburn and on cooler days has clothing that is warm enough.

Parental Supervision
Courses will be run whatever the weather. When sailing is not possible there will be theory lessons however these are likely to be shorter than sailing due to attention span! The instructor will inform you of any changes to the finishing times.

The club-training establishment follows the RYA Child protection policy.

Certification
On satisfactory completion of the course a relevant RYA stage certificate will be issued, an RYA logbook to keep the certificate in is included in the cost of the course. Please remember children's progress varies, not all children will be able to achieve what is required for the issue of a stage certificate.
The RYA logbook has a section for "signing-off " what has been achieved so that progress made during a course can be recorded towards a certificate in the future.
Our objective is for your child to enjoy the sailing course and hope that they want to do more sailing; the certificates are not a priority.

Food
No food will be provided during these courses however bring an apple or chocolate bar if you wish.

Refunds
It is at the discretion of the RYA Training Establishment Principal, whether any refunds are given. This would normally happen after a meeting between the Principal and related parties.

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