RYA Dinghy Instructor is the qualification that lets you teach beginners and improvers on the National Sailing Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme. You are already a strong sailor. This course teaches you how to explain skills clearly, manage groups afloat and run sessions that feel safe without feeling dull.
Most centres run a fifty-hour week, often five long days, though modular weekends are common. Training mixes shore briefings, teaching practice and personal sailing checks. The final day is moderated by a second RYA Trainer who confirms you meet the standard.
Entry is demanding: pre-entry assessment, first aid, Powerboat Level 2 and Safe and Fun must be in place before you arrive. Teaching beginners is harder than sailing well on your own.
Dinghy Instructor is a training and assessment course moderated on the final day by an RYA Trainer.
Quick answers about this qualification. For anything else, use live chat or browse bookable activities below.
Find activitiesIt is the standard RYA teaching qualification for dinghy sailing. Successful candidates can deliver National Sailing Scheme and Youth Sailing Scheme sessions up to Level 3 and Stage 4, plus selected advanced modules where the centre approves.
The course trains you to teach, not just to sail fast. Expect as much time on communication as on boat handling.
Experienced sailor in strong winds, with pre-entry assessment completed within one year, plus first aid, Powerboat Level 2 and Safe and Fun.
Leave a comment when you book with your assessment date and logbook summary if your sailing was mostly club rather than course-based.
Fifty hours, typically five days, though centres may split across modular weekends with homework between blocks.
Revision time is built into the RYA guidance. Rushing the week rarely helps moderation outcomes.
No separate classroom exam. Assessment is practical teaching, personal sailing and safety management, culminating in Trainer moderation.
Pre-course workbook tasks must be completed before day one. Centres check them on arrival.
RYA Dinghy Pre-entry Assessment confirms your personal sailing meets instructor-entry standard in strong winds. It must be done within one year of the instructor course.
Book pre-entry at the same centre if possible so assessors know their fleet.
Yes. RYA Dinghy Instructor candidates hold Powerboat Level 2 as part of the standard prerequisite set.
It supports rescue cover understanding even if you will mostly teach from dinghies.
RYA Safe and Fun is the online safeguarding module required before instructor training involving young people.
Complete it early. Centres will not moderate without valid safeguarding certification.
Sixteen on the first day of the instructor course. Some employers prefer older instructors for commercial roles, but the RYA minimum is sixteen.
Youth teaching still requires judgement beyond the certificate alone.
Levels 1, 2 and 3, Youth Stages 1 to 4, and Day Sailing, Seamanship Skills and Spinnakers where your centre approves your experience.
Senior progression toward Dinghy Senior Instructor needs instructing hours and a principal recommendation.
Trainers may defer you with specific remedial tasks: more teaching practice, stronger-wind sailing or clearer briefings. Re-assessment is arranged through your centre.
Deferral is coaching, not a dead end. Most deferred candidates pass after targeted practice.
adventuro lists RYA training centres running Dinghy Instructor courses. Compare moderation dates, accommodation and whether pre-entry can be booked at the same venue.
Leave a comment when you book listing prerequisites already held so the centre can confirm you are course-ready.
From £ 450
Somerset and Dorset, United Kingdom
From £ 450
Somerset and Dorset, United Kingdom
From £ 240
Somerset and Dorset, United Kingdom
From £ 150
Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
From £ 360
Lancashire, United Kingdom