RYA Youth Sailing Level 3 in Brighton - Coastal Sailing

We are located at Brighton Marina. You will be sent the full address and postcode upon booking, but here is a guide to finding us:

• By Car: Approaching the marina from the A27 take the B2123. Turn right at first set of traffic lights, signposted Brighton Town Centre, Racecourse and Marina Village. Turn left at second set of traffic lights, pass the Racecourse and follow the signs for the Marina Village where there is free parking for 1500 cars in the multi-storey car park. From the car park you can either go across a linking bridge on level 6 or from the ground floor of the car park towards all the waterfront cafes and bars. Walk to the end of the boarded walk way where there will be a large ramp heading down towards the pontoons. We are the first set of pontoons on the right. Pontoon 6.
• By Bike: Brighton Marina has a bike share station which is either pay per minute or a yearly membership. For your own bike, racks are available on the main concourses of the pontoons. You must use the racks and not leave bikes on the pontoons otherwise Premier Marina will take them away.
• By Bus: Brighton and Hove bus service operates a number 7 bus approximately every 15 minutes 24 hours a day, from Brighton Town Centre (North Street or Queens Road), to the Marina Village.
• On Foot: Brighton Marina is a pleasant walk along the seafront from the centre of Brighton, it is 20 minutes walk from the main West Pier. During the summer you will also find the Volks electric railway operates along the front.
• By Train: The nearest main line station is Brighton with regular connections to Chichester, Portsmouth and London is under an hour away.
• By Air: Brighton is within easy reach of Heathrow and Gatwick international airports. Follow the A23 from Gatwick to Brighton. Shoreham airport is also available for private light aircraft.

• Quick-drying clothes can be very practical, please avoid jeans
• Packed lunch(essential as we might stay out to sea for lunch and anchor)
• Water and snacks
• Swimsuit and towel, just in case want to go for a swim
• Sunglasses, sunhat and suncream
• Non-slip deck shoes, wetsuit shoes or trainers that don’t mark
• If you have your own waterproofs, please bring them, or you can borrow ours
• If you are worried or unsure whether you suffer from seasickness then pills and wrist-bands work well. Don’t arrive on an empty stomach and take tablets with breakfast if you have never been sailing on the sea before, sometimes the motion takes a while to get used to
• Bring some snacks and drinks for a mid break, plenty of fluids and some snacks

This course is ideal for:

• Children aged 10-16 who have completed RYA Stages 1 & 2
• Young sailors who want to become more independent on the water
• Anyone interested in progressing to RYA Stage 4 and beyond

If your child is younger than 10, we recommend starting with sailing courses at Hove Lagoon before progressing to Stage 3.

The course will cover the following key skills:

• Rigging the boat
• Sail handling: Hoisting, setting, and trimming sails
• Motoring in and out of the marina
• Sailing techniques: Tacking, gybing, and sailing on all points of sail
• Sailing around a triangular course: Gaining experience on a set course
• Mooring techniques
• Sailing theory: Understanding the basic concepts and safety involved in sailing

By the end of the course, your child will be confident in controlling the boat under sail and have the skills to helm or crew a boat with minimal supervision.

The course runs for two days, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM each day. This schedule provides plenty of time for practical learning on the water, as well as theory sessions to reinforce important concepts.

Participants must have completed RYA Youth Sailing Stages 1 & 2. The course is suitable for children aged 10 to 16 who want to take their sailing skills to the next level. If your child has not yet completed Stages 1 & 2, we recommend starting with those courses first.

Yes, upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive the RYA Youth Sailing Stage 3 Certificate. This certificate is recognised across the UK and is the next step in the RYA youth sailing programme, preparing participants for Stage 4.

We provide:

• Sailing Keel Boats for use during the course
• All safety gear, including lifejackets
• Waterproofs, although participants are encouraged to bring their own if preferred
• RYA-qualified and DBS-checked instructors who will provide full tuition and guidance throughout the course

Safety is our priority, and we monitor weather conditions closely. If the weather is unsuitable for sailing (high winds, storms, etc.), we may adjust the course schedule to focus on theory or reschedule the on-water sessions. We will keep parents informed of any changes.

We follow all RYA safety guidelines, and our instructors are RYA-qualified and DBS-checked. Every participant is provided with a lifejacket and full safety equipment. Instruction takes place in a controlled, safe environment, and children are closely supervised, both on and off the water.