sylwia
Had great experience, Max was knowledgeable and very helpful. All went smoothly and loved every bit of it !



Progression towards becoming an RYA Dinghy Instructor starts here, with a formal assessment day focused on advanced sailing ability. The RYA Pre-Entry Assessment is a required step before joining the instructor course and is designed to confirm confidence, control, and consistency on the water. Sailors attending should already be comfortable sailing at an advanced level and ready to demonstrate their skills under assessment conditions.
Assessment day begins with an onshore briefing outlining how the day will run, what assessors are looking for, and how skills are judged. Expectations are clearly explained so sailors understand the standard required and how their sailing will be observed throughout the day.
Time on the water focuses on demonstrating advanced sailing techniques rather than coaching or practice. Sailors are asked to perform a range of manoeuvres that show control, awareness, and good decision-making. Seamanship skills form a key part of the assessment, with emphasis on calm handling, accuracy, and consistency rather than speed.
Sailing takes place within Poole Harbour, an ideal environment for advanced assessment sailing. Sheltered waters allow clear observation of technique, while tidal conditions provide a realistic setting for testing seamanship skills.
Shore facilities nearby support briefings and debriefs, ensuring the day runs smoothly and professionally.
Candidates must be aged 16 or over and already sailing to RYA Advanced standard, including completion of RYA Seamanship Skills. This assessment is mandatory before attending the RYA Dinghy Instructor course.
Anyone unsure whether they meet the required standard is strongly encouraged to complete a training day or preparation week beforehand.
The assessment is hosted by a centre with long-standing experience delivering instructor pathways and supporting sailors through RYA qualifications. Clear organisation and familiarity with RYA standards help ensure the day is fair, structured, and focused.
Experienced assessors understand the pressure candidates may feel and aim to create a professional but calm environment, allowing sailors to show their true ability on the water.
Had great experience, Max was knowledgeable and very helpful. All went smoothly and loved every bit of it !
An excellent practical and well explained course - Fin is very knowledgeable and experienced and this was evidenced through both days.
Had a fantastic time. Our instructor Steve was brilliant. We learnt so much. Would absolutely recommend.
it was a very exciting experience in a nice group of people☺️ I recommend it to everyone!
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