How do I get to the centre?

We are situated on the Southern shore of Grafham Water in a small village called Perry in West Cambridgeshire. There is easy access to us from the surrounding area through the A1 and the A14.What3Words: Should you be using What3Words, the reference for our entrance is sleepless.slices.crunch.By Road: Leave the A1 at the Buckden roundabout and take the turning onto the B661 signposted to Kimbolton. Carry on down the road to Perry. Once in Perry turn right opposite the Wheatsheaf Pub down Chichester Way. At the bottom of the road turn a tight right into our entrance.By Rail: Huntingdon Train Station and St Neots Train Station are the two closest stations to the Centre. Both are under a 15 minute taxi ride away.By Bus: Huntingdon Bus Station and St Neots Bus Station are the two closest stations to the Centre. Both are under a 15 minute taxi ride away.

RYA Level 3 Better Sailing Course in Cambridgeshire

This two-day RYA Level 3 course is aimed at sailors who have already mastered the basics and are ready to improve their confidence, boat control, and independence on the water. It builds directly on the skills gained during the Level 2 Basic Skills course and introduces practical elements from more advanced modules, preparing participants to take their sailing further.

Key Details

Group size: 1–6 people
Duration: 2 days (9:30am–5:00pm each day)
Minimum age: 16
Location: Perry, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 0GW

Key Skills

Improve consistency in tacking, gybing, and sail trim
Strengthen boat handling in varied wind and water conditions
Enhance decision-making and control during manoeuvres
Gain experience with seamanship techniques and day sailing tasks
Build confidence sailing independently and progressing towards advanced modules

What to Expect

This course offers structured coaching sessions that focus on refining and reinforcing all aspects of core sailing. You’ll revisit key techniques from previous levels—such as five essentials, balance, trim, and boat setup—and work towards applying them more confidently and efficiently in a variety of sailing scenarios. Coaching will be tailored to your individual pace, allowing you to consolidate your skills while pushing them to the next level.

Taster sessions from the RYA advanced modules are also woven into the programme, giving you the chance to explore new techniques in a low-pressure setting. These may include basic seamanship skills like sailing in confined spaces or handling adverse conditions, as well as introductory aspects of day sailing such as route planning or sailing longer distances. There’s plenty of opportunity to ask questions, troubleshoot technique, and try new skills, with instructors offering guidance throughout.

By the end of the two days, you should be noticeably more confident in your sailing ability and comfortable managing the boat with minimal input from instructors. You’ll be in a great position to move on to more advanced courses, such as RYA Seamanship Skills or Day Sailing.

Location

Based at a well-equipped sailing site in Perry, just outside Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, this course benefits from a spacious and controlled inland water environment. The lake offers ideal conditions for building skills with consistent wind patterns, clear launching areas, and a safe perimeter.

Facilities on-site include changing rooms, classrooms, and safety support boats to ensure a secure and smooth learning experience. The venue is easily accessible from major routes in Cambridgeshire and the wider East of England.

Prerequisites

To join this course, you should already have completed RYA Level 2 Basic Skills or have equivalent sailing experience. You need to be confident in rigging, launching, basic tacking and gybing, and controlling your speed and direction.

This course is not suitable for beginners and is best suited to those looking to consolidate their experience and start working towards advanced sailing modules.

Why Choose Us

The centre is known for its supportive learning environment and high-quality instruction. Sessions are led by qualified RYA instructors with experience teaching a wide range of skill levels. The small group size means you receive focused, personalised coaching and feedback throughout the course.

Whether you're working on fine-tuning technique or trying advanced skills for the first time, the team is committed to helping you progress in a way that’s both structured and enjoyable.

Use of sailing boats and equipment
Instruction from qualified RYA instructors
RYA Level 3 Better Sailing certificate (subject to successful completion)
Safety boat cover during sessions
Buoyancy aids and wetsuits if required

Transport to and from the meeting point
Meals or refreshments
Personal insurance
Accommodation
Waterproof footwear or personal sailing gear

We are situated on the Southern shore of Grafham Water in a small village called Perry in West Cambridgeshire. There is easy access to us from the surrounding area through the A1 and the A14.

What3Words: Should you be using What3Words, the reference for our entrance is sleepless.slices.crunch.
By Road: Leave the A1 at the Buckden roundabout and take the turning onto the B661 signposted to Kimbolton. Carry on down the road to Perry. Once in Perry turn right opposite the Wheatsheaf Pub down Chichester Way. At the bottom of the road turn a tight right into our entrance.
By Rail: Huntingdon Train Station and St Neots Train Station are the two closest stations to the Centre. Both are under a 15 minute taxi ride away.
By Bus: Huntingdon Bus Station and St Neots Bus Station are the two closest stations to the Centre. Both are under a 15 minute taxi ride away.

The RYA Level 3 Better Sailing course is designed for sailors who have completed the Level 2 Basic Skills course and want to further develop their sailing techniques.

It focuses on consolidating the skills learned in earlier levels and introduces elements of more advanced modules, including seamanship skills and day sailing.

This course is suitable for individuals aged 16 or older who have completed the RYA Level 2 Basic Skills course or have equivalent sailing experience.

It is for those who are looking to build their confidence and improve their sailing ability before progressing to more advanced modules.

The course will help you refine your boat handling, tacking, gybing, and sail trim. You will gain confidence in different wind and water conditions and experience advanced modules like Day Sailing and Seamanship.

By the end of the course, you will be ready to take the next step toward more advanced sailing qualifications.

The course lasts two full days, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm each day, offering a total of 16 hours of hands-on sailing instruction.

This format allows plenty of time to practice the skills and techniques that will build your confidence on the water.

Yes, successful participants will receive an RYA Level 3 Better Sailing certificate, which indicates that you have gained the skills and knowledge to progress onto more advanced sailing qualifications.

This certificate will be awarded upon demonstrating the required proficiency during the course.

Accommodation is not included as part of the RYA Level 3 Better Sailing course. However, there are several nearby options for those who need overnight stays. The centre can provide recommendations for local hotels, guesthouses, or bed and breakfasts within a short drive of the sailing location in Perry, Huntingdon.

You will need to arrange and book your accommodation separately.

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