Training

Toward Sailing Club is an RYA Training Centre certified to teach Dinghy courses Levels 1-4, Start Racing and Seamanship Skills, Stages 1-4 in the Youth Sailing scheme and Powerboat Levels 1, 2 and Safety Boat. This certification is maintained through an annual inspection by the RYA during which the qualifications of the instructors, the standard of the instruction and the condition of the facilities and equipment are checked.

The Club also offers keelboat training for adults on a more informal basis.

The Club maintains a fleet of 6 Optimist dinghies and 5 Topper dinghies and has recently supplemented this with 2 Pico dinghies.

Training takes place on a Monday evening from May till September with additional race training on a Wednesday when numbers are appropriate. Cadets are also encouraged to join in the club racing on Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons. Once deemed competent, cadets can have the use of any of the club’s fleet of dinghies if they don’t have a boat of their own.

In keeping with the ethos of the club at large the success of training depends entirely on the good will and effort put in by all those involved. All the instructors and safety boat drivers work on an entirely voluntary basis. Learners, young and old, are expected to take their turn with duties around the club ranging from serving in the kitchen to assisting with Race Officer and Safety Boat duties on race days. This culture of giving something back is what has made the Club so successful. Older cadets help with new members and many cadets have gone on to become fully qualified instructors themselves, instructing at the Club as well as in various centres both in Scotland and around the world. Toward Sailing Club is also where several cadets had their first taste of sailing before going on to be selected for both dinghy and keelboat national squads.

Club membership costs £44 for adults and £22 for juniors (18 and under). Training fee is £50.

RYA certificates and trophies will be presented at the Club’s annual prize giving in November. This includes the Munro Quaich for the outstanding cadet and the Alison Currie Trophy for best attitude both of which remain a closely guarded secret until the day.