Race Coach Level 2 and 3 courses
Everything you need to know about starting coaching and booking onto a course
What is Race Coach Level 2?
A race coach with this qualification is someone with racing experience who can help others to learn racing skills or improve their existing skills. They will do this by creating simple exercises, such as races, games, or drills, that give sailors the chance to practise a specific racing skill. This will usually be done within a framework of “Plan-Do-Review”. A Race Coach Level 2 can coach Start, Club and Regional awards under the RYA Racing Scheme. (A Race Coach does not need to hold any other instructional awards).
What is the Race Coach Level 2 course?
This intensive two-day course looks at different areas of coaching and how to apply coaching skills in a practical series of on-the-water exercises. Each candidate will be expected to run complete sessions including a briefing, on-the-water exercises, and review. The aim of the course is to provide candidates with techniques to safely coach racing to youth and adult sailors. Our courses comply with RYA and club guidelines.
What experience do I need?
If you would like to become a Race Coach Level 2 you must satisfy the following criteria
- Be an RYA member
- Be a UK based passport holder to benefit from the subsided course cost of £160. (If you are a non-UK passport holder, you can attend however, the charge is £250 for the weekend, as you would not be eligible for RYA/Sport England funding)
- Be a minimum age of 16 - Level 2 coaches aged under 18 should be appropriately supervised
- Hold a RYA Level 2 powerboat handling certificate
- Have an approved and valid first aid certificate
- Should be a good club racer - see the RYA Racing Scheme: Club Racing award for more details
- Have completed the RYA Safe and Fun Safeguarding Awareness Course. This online course can be completed as part of the Race Coach Level 2 if required.
How to book:
To view or book upcoming Race Coach Level 2 courses please go to the RYA Events page where you can search using the filters on the left hand side, by "event audience (coaches)" and region.
You may find that the course you are interested in states "Club members only" rather than "Open to all RYA members". This status may change nearer to the start date if places are still available. Generally, if this is the case, courses are opened up to all RYA members about a month to six prior to the course.
If you don't see a suitable course in your region, or the course is full, please do pop your name on our waiting list. We consult this list if there are any last minute cancellations and it also gives us an idea of where we need to ensure more courses are run.
Clubs wishing to host a course for club members can find out what's involved here.
If you have any questions regarding the Race Coach Level 2 Course, please contact us at coachingdevelopment@rya.org.uk.
Continue your training after Racing Coach Level 2
The Race Coach Level 2 qualification is just the start of your journey. See Improve my coaching for more details.
Race Coach Level 3
This course is for those sailors who wish to take their coaching to the next level. To be considered for this course you will need at least 2 years post Race Coach Level 2 coaching experience.
You will be required to complete an application form enabling the Coach Development team to understand your coaching background. If your application is successful you will be sent the link to book onto one of the courses.
If you wish to be notified of RCL3 courses when they become available, please register your interest.
If you have any questions regarding the Race Coach Level 3 Course, please contact us coachingdevelopment@rya.org.uk.
Still not sure if being a race coach is for you?
We have created a coaching taster Discover Coaching and Instructing programme. This half-day programme is aimed at people interested in the idea of becoming a coach or instructor, but want to know more before they make the commitment to taking a race coach or instructor qualification.
If you are interested in attending or setting up a Discover Coaching and Instructing event for your club or class, please contact coachingdevelopment@rya.org.uk for more information.