Sailing
Achieve RYA qualifications from Youth Stages to advanced modules with expert instruction.
What's Involved?
We run a comprehensive range of RYA sailing courses for all ages from 8 upwards, all delivered by highly qualified and caring instructors.
Our courses operate with exceptionally high instructor ratios – typically 2-4 students per instructor – coupled with a wide selection of excellent training boats to ensure quality learning. Children's and teenage courses (ages 8-12 and 12-15) run within the RYA Youth Scheme, offering Stages 1-4. Adults can progress through the RYA scheme appropriate to their level.
We also offer specialist RYA Modules including Seamanship Skills, Day Sailing, Spinnakers, and Performance Sailing for those wanting to develop specific techniques.
Whether it's your first time on the water or you're honing racing skills in high-performance boats, we'll place you with others of similar experience and guide your progression to the next level in Chichester Harbour's beautiful and sheltered waters.
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Events Calendar
Click on the events below to find out more or to book.
RYA Stage 1 June (8-15)
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RYA Stage 1 June (8-15)
Youth Sailing – RYA Stage 1
Come and learn to sail at CYE! We're a recognised RYA Training Centre and the beautiful, sheltered waters of Chichester Harbour are a great place to get started.
Stage 1 is the perfect introduction, with no previous experience needed. Our qualified, attentive instructors will help you get to know the boat and teach you the basics, including launching and recovery, steering and how to get moving on the water.
Our courses are practical and hands-on, with small groups giving everyone plenty of individual support as they develop their skills and grow in confidence.
Stage 1 takes two days to complete and is the first step through the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme. All kit and equipment is provided, so just bring a packed lunch, a change of clothes and a keenness to learn!
This is a non-residential course.
Come and learn to sail at CYE! We're a recognised RYA Training Centre and the beautiful, sheltered waters of Chichester Harbour are a great place to get started.
Stage 1 is the perfect introduction, with no previous experience needed. Our qualified, attentive instructors will help you get to know the boat and teach you the basics, including launching and recovery, steering and how to get moving on the water.
Our courses are practical and hands-on, with small groups giving everyone plenty of individual support as they develop their skills and grow in confidence.
Stage 1 takes two days to complete and is the first step through the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme. All kit and equipment is provided, so just bring a packed lunch, a change of clothes and a keenness to learn!
This is a non-residential course.
RYA Stage 2 June (8-15)
Start date:
End date:
Age range:
RYA Stage 2 June (8-15)
Youth Sailing – RYA Stage 2
If you've mastered the basics and are ready for the next step, RYA Stage 2 will help you develop your skills and become more confident on the water.
You'll spend plenty of time in the boat, learning to tack and gybe, control your speed and make decisions as you go. You'll also cover some of the wider skills and knowledge that every young sailor needs, including basic ropework and the rules for avoiding other boats.
Our qualified, attentive instructors teach in small groups, so there's plenty of support and encouragement as you learn.
Stage 2 takes two days to complete and you'll need to be able to sail to Stage 1 standard before joining the course. All kit and equipment is provided, so just bring a packed lunch, a change of clothes and a keenness to learn!
This is a non-residential course.
If you've mastered the basics and are ready for the next step, RYA Stage 2 will help you develop your skills and become more confident on the water.
You'll spend plenty of time in the boat, learning to tack and gybe, control your speed and make decisions as you go. You'll also cover some of the wider skills and knowledge that every young sailor needs, including basic ropework and the rules for avoiding other boats.
Our qualified, attentive instructors teach in small groups, so there's plenty of support and encouragement as you learn.
Stage 2 takes two days to complete and you'll need to be able to sail to Stage 1 standard before joining the course. All kit and equipment is provided, so just bring a packed lunch, a change of clothes and a keenness to learn!
This is a non-residential course.
RYA Stage 3/4 June (8-15)
Start date:
End date:
Age range:
RYA Stage 3/4 June (8-15)
Youth Sailing – RYA Stages 3 & 4
Ready to take things further? Stages 3 and 4 are for young sailors who have mastered the basics and want to develop their skills, independence and confidence on the water.
At Stage 3, you'll work on your boat handling and techniques in a wider range of conditions, alongside rigging, launching and recovery, sailing theory and capsize recovery.
Stage 4 moves into double-handed boats, where you'll put the skills you've already learned into practice while developing your abilities as both helm and crew.
As with all our RYA courses, our qualified, attentive instructors work with small groups, giving you plenty of opportunity to learn, practise and progress.
Each stage takes two days to complete. You'll need to be at Stage 2 standard for Stage 3, and Stage 3 standard for Stage 4. All kit and equipment is provided, so just bring a packed lunch, a change of clothes and a keenness to learn!
These are non-residential courses.
Ready to take things further? Stages 3 and 4 are for young sailors who have mastered the basics and want to develop their skills, independence and confidence on the water.
At Stage 3, you'll work on your boat handling and techniques in a wider range of conditions, alongside rigging, launching and recovery, sailing theory and capsize recovery.
Stage 4 moves into double-handed boats, where you'll put the skills you've already learned into practice while developing your abilities as both helm and crew.
As with all our RYA courses, our qualified, attentive instructors work with small groups, giving you plenty of opportunity to learn, practise and progress.
Each stage takes two days to complete. You'll need to be at Stage 2 standard for Stage 3, and Stage 3 standard for Stage 4. All kit and equipment is provided, so just bring a packed lunch, a change of clothes and a keenness to learn!
These are non-residential courses.
RYA Stage 1 July (8-15)
Start date:
End date:
Age range:
RYA Stage 1 July (8-15)
Join us for RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Stages at CYE! Our instructors deliver the full RYA Stages syllabus in engaging, hands-on sessions – building skills, safety awareness and confidence on the water. Following RYA Stages 1,2,3 and 4 will take your young sailors from complete beginner to confident helm in a safe and fun environment (please note each Stage takes 2 days to complete).
Stage 1 – Start Sailing
A gentle introduction with no prior experience required. On this course you will learn the basics of sailing, parts of the boat and how to launch, recover and steer.
Progression Requirements
Please note, you must complete each stage before moving to the next – it’s a step-by-step journey.
Stage 1 - Stage 2
Stage 2 - Stage 3
Stage 3 - Stage 4
Stage 1 – Start Sailing
A gentle introduction with no prior experience required. On this course you will learn the basics of sailing, parts of the boat and how to launch, recover and steer.
Progression Requirements
Please note, you must complete each stage before moving to the next – it’s a step-by-step journey.
Stage 1 - Stage 2
Stage 2 - Stage 3
Stage 3 - Stage 4
RYA Stage 2 July (8-15)
Start date:
End date:
Age range:
RYA Stage 2 July (8-15)
Join us for RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Stages at CYE! Our instructors deliver the full RYA Stages syllabus in engaging, hands-on sessions – building skills, safety awareness and confidence on the water. Following RYA Stages 1,2,3 and 4 will take your young sailors from complete beginner to confident helm in a safe and fun environment (please note each Stage takes 2 days to complete).
Stage 2 – Basic Skills
Building on from Stage 1, sailors will continue to develop basic sailing skills, including taking and controlling a boats speed. This course will also include holistic sailing such as basic ropework and rules of the road. This course looks to grow a young sailors confidence sailing and is excellent preparation to progress to stage 3
Progression Requirements
Please note, you must complete each stage before moving to the next – it’s a step-by-step journey.
Stage 1 - Stage 2
Stage 2 - Stage 3
Stage 3 - Stage 4
Stage 2 – Basic Skills
Building on from Stage 1, sailors will continue to develop basic sailing skills, including taking and controlling a boats speed. This course will also include holistic sailing such as basic ropework and rules of the road. This course looks to grow a young sailors confidence sailing and is excellent preparation to progress to stage 3
Progression Requirements
Please note, you must complete each stage before moving to the next – it’s a step-by-step journey.
Stage 1 - Stage 2
Stage 2 - Stage 3
Stage 3 - Stage 4
RYA Stage 3/4 July (8-15)
Start date:
End date:
Age range:
RYA Stage 3/4 July (8-15)
Join us for RYA Youth Sailing Scheme Stages at CYE! Our instructors deliver the full RYA Stages syllabus in engaging, hands-on sessions – building skills, safety awareness and confidence on the water. Following RYA Stages 1,2,3 and 4 will take your young sailors from complete beginner to confident helm in a safe and fun environment (please note each Stage takes 2 days to complete).
Stage 3 and 4 - improver and advanced skills
Stage 3 and 4 will develop a sailors basic sailing skills to an improved or advanced level. This course will continue to cover rigging and sailing techniques, sailing theory, launching and recovery skills. Stage 4 applies all of the skills learnt up to and including Stage 3 but in double handed boats, allowing development as a helm or crew.
Progression Requirements
Please note, you must complete each stage before moving to the next – it’s a step-by-step journey.
Stage 1 - Stage 2
Stage 2 - Stage 3
Stage 3 - Stage 4
Stage 3 and 4 - improver and advanced skills
Stage 3 and 4 will develop a sailors basic sailing skills to an improved or advanced level. This course will continue to cover rigging and sailing techniques, sailing theory, launching and recovery skills. Stage 4 applies all of the skills learnt up to and including Stage 3 but in double handed boats, allowing development as a helm or crew.
Progression Requirements
Please note, you must complete each stage before moving to the next – it’s a step-by-step journey.
Stage 1 - Stage 2
Stage 2 - Stage 3
Stage 3 - Stage 4