RYA Instructor Preparation Week and Pre-Entry Assessment in Poole

This intensive week is designed for sailors preparing for the RYA Dinghy Instructor pre-entry assessment. Focus is on refining advanced sailing techniques, coaching skills, and consolidating theory knowledge, giving candidates confidence for the assessment. Open to adults and older youth, the course is aimed at those who already hold RYA Advanced Sailing modules, including Seamanship Skills.

🧭 Key Details

• Qualification: RYA Dinghy Instructor Pre-Entry Preparation
• Duration: 5 days (Monday to Friday)
• Ages: 16+
• Group size: 1–6 people
• Experience level: Advanced

⛵ Key Skills

• Refining advanced sailing manoeuvres
• Coaching and communication techniques
• Understanding RYA Pre-Entry Assessment requirements
• Theory consolidation for instructor-level knowledge
• Preparation for practical assessment in local sailing conditions

📘 Course Breakdown

The week begins with focused on-water practice, revisiting advanced sailing manoeuvres and seamanship techniques to ensure confidence and consistency. Candidates refine skills such as sail trim, boat handling under varied conditions, and manoeuvres commonly assessed in the Pre-Entry Assessment.

Midweek sessions introduce coaching scenarios, helping candidates develop their ability to give clear instruction and feedback. Theory knowledge is reviewed onshore, linking practical skills with teaching points. Instructors provide personalised feedback, ensuring candidates understand both technique and how to communicate it effectively.

The final day is dedicated to the RYA Pre-Entry Assessment. By this point, candidates have spent four days practising manoeuvres, consolidating theory, and rehearsing coaching techniques, allowing them to approach the assessment prepared and confident.

📍 Location

Sessions take place on Poole Harbour, offering sheltered waters for instruction while still providing tidal challenges that replicate typical assessment conditions. This environment allows candidates to practise manoeuvres with confidence while experiencing realistic sailing scenarios.

Nearby shore facilities support on-water sessions with space for briefings, debriefs, and theory discussions. Candidates can review techniques off the water and prepare for the assessment in a focused and structured setting.

✅ Prerequisites

Candidates must be at least 16 years old and hold the RYA Advanced Sailing modules, including Seamanship Skills. Prior experience sailing independently and confidently in varied conditions is essential.

The course is designed for those ready to progress toward instructor-level qualifications. Anyone unsure about readiness should contact the centre before booking.

🌊 Why Choose Us

Instruction is delivered by highly experienced RYA-qualified coaches familiar with assessment requirements. Small group sizes ensure candidates receive individual guidance on technique, coaching approach, and theory knowledge.

Structured practice combined with personalised feedback creates an environment where candidates can refine skills efficiently, build confidence, and approach the Pre-Entry Assessment fully prepared.