We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Develop the skills and confidence needed to teach windsurfing at an introductory level through an internationally recognised qualification. This five-day instructor course is aimed at experienced windsurfers who want to move into teaching, combining technical refinement with clear, structured instructional methods. It provides a direct pathway into delivering recognised windsurfing courses within a professional framework.
Over the course of five full days, time is split between shore-based learning and extensive on-water practice. Early sessions focus on refining personal windsurfing technique, ensuring your own sailing is consistent, controlled, and adaptable to different conditions. Alongside this, you’ll begin breaking skills down into teachable steps, learning how to explain, demonstrate, and observe effectively.
As the week progresses, attention shifts towards session delivery and group management. You’ll practise running complete beginner and youth windsurfing sessions, covering briefings, launching, on-water coaching, and safe recovery at the end of each session. Emphasis is placed on creating sessions that are clear, engaging, and suitable for first-time windsurfers, while still being adaptable to different learning speeds.
The final stage of the course brings everything together through formal moderation by an independent RYA Trainer. During this phase, candidates demonstrate their ability to plan, deliver, and review sessions to the required standard. Feedback is continuous throughout the week, helping you understand expectations and refine your approach before final assessment.
Training takes place near Forest Row, on a large inland reservoir well suited to windsurf instruction. The venue offers wide open sailing areas, sheltered zones for beginners, and reliable conditions for both teaching and skill development.
Launching areas and shore facilities are arranged to support instructor training, allowing clear visibility for demonstrations and easy transitions between land-based explanations and time on the water. This setting mirrors the type of environment many instructors will later work in, making the experience highly relevant.
To join the course, you must already be a confident windsurfer with the ability to sail independently and manage yourself safely in non-planing conditions. A recognised intermediate non-planing qualification, including beach starts and non-planing carve gybes, is required to ensure you can focus on teaching rather than personal skills.
Additional requirements include a powerboat qualification, first aid certification, safeguarding training, and active membership of the relevant governing body. These prerequisites ensure all instructors meet industry standards before delivering sessions to others.
Instruction is delivered by highly experienced trainers who work closely with candidates throughout the week, offering clear feedback and practical guidance rather than a pass-or-fail approach. The aim is to build confident instructors who understand not just what to teach, but how and why sessions are structured in certain ways.
By combining realistic teaching scenarios with supportive coaching, the course prepares you for real-world instruction rather than just assessment conditions. Graduates leave with a clear understanding of session delivery, safety management, and how to create positive first experiences for new windsurfers.
This course is designed for confident recreational windsurfers who want to start teaching beginners and youth sailors. You should already be comfortable handling a board and rig in non-planing conditions before attending.
Rather than focusing on advanced performance sailing, the emphasis is on teaching foundations clearly and safely, making it ideal for those interested in instructing at clubs, centres, or holiday venues.
Days are full and active, combining physical time on the water with classroom-style learning ashore. You can expect a mix of sailing, demonstrations, discussions, and teaching practice each day.
While demanding, the structure allows skills to build progressively, with regular breaks and clear objectives to keep learning manageable.
Assessment is ongoing throughout the course, with trainers offering feedback as skills develop. This approach helps you understand expectations early and make adjustments as you go.
Formal moderation takes place towards the end of the course, once you’ve had time to practise and refine your teaching techniques.
Training focuses on delivering RYA Start Windsurfing sessions as well as youth windsurfing stages. You’ll learn how to introduce absolute beginners to equipment, balance, steering, and basic sailing.
Attention is also given to adapting sessions for younger sailors, ensuring activities remain safe, engaging, and age-appropriate.
No formal teaching background is needed before attending. The course is structured to introduce instructional methods from the ground up.
Clear communication, willingness to engage with others, and an open attitude to feedback are far more important than previous coaching experience.
Personal wetsuits, footwear, and suitable clothing for prolonged time on the water are essential. Training equipment is typically provided during sessions, allowing you to focus on learning.
Bringing your own harness or accessories you regularly use can also help you feel comfortable during longer sailing periods.
The RYA Start Windsurf Instructor qualification is widely recognised and accepted by many centres in the UK and abroad. It is often used as an entry-level professional qualification within the windsurfing industry.
Individual employers may have additional requirements, but this certificate forms a strong foundation.
Many instructors go on to work seasonally at watersports centres, clubs, or holiday resorts. Others use the qualification alongside existing outdoor roles to broaden their skill set.
It can also act as a stepping stone towards higher-level instructional or coaching qualifications in windsurfing.
Accommodation is not included as part of the course. Candidates are responsible for arranging their own place to stay during the five days.
Local accommodation options can usually be recommended if needed, helping you plan your stay around the course schedule.
About the centre
East Sussex
