Racing Scheme

The revised Racing Scheme provides a progression through the core racing areas of starting, boat-handling, speed, tactics and strategy. The focus moves from taking the first steps onto the start line for beginners through club racing, open circuits and onto larger championships.

What is the RYA Racing Scheme?

The RYA has revised its dinghy racing scheme. The new focus is on developing sailors’ skills and providing guidance for clubs, training centres, coaches and instructors. At the heart of the scheme are the five core elements: starts, boat-handling, speed, and tactics and strategy. These are covered at four levels: Start, Club, Regional and Championship. Many subjects previously in the courses are now online, the updated content focuses on making the most of the contact time between students and their coaches.

Start Racing introduces the basic skills needed to enter and compete in a race. Club Racing (intermediate) is where most club sailors are expected to start their training, and builds the boat-handling, speed and knowledge required to develop a strategic plan based on the conditions. Regional Racing (Advanced) gives sailors the skills to adapt to sailing at different venues and in more challenging conditions, while Championship Racing is more tailored to the needs of sailors and is probably conclusion of a full training programme.

RYA sailing instructors with the Racing Instructor endorsement can deliver Start Racing; Level 2 and 3 race coaches can deliver Club Racing and Regional Racing; and Level 3 race coaches can deliver the Championship Racing course.

The scheme serves two purposes:

It is a framework for coaches to award qualifications as part of their coaching programme.
It is a guide to help coaches design their course structure effectively.

Who can use the RYA Racing Scheme?

Race Coach Level 2 can award Start, Club and Regional level awards.
Race Coach Level 3 can award the Championship level award.

Overview of the RYA Racing Scheme

The core areas of starting, boat-handling, speed, tactics and strategy form the basis of the scheme. These skills are developed further through each of the four awards: Start, Club, Regional and Championship. The scheme guides coaches and sailors from their first races whilst still learning to sail, through to joining in club racing, sailing at other venues (such as open meetings etc.) and onwards to championships.

We recognised that many subjects in the previous version of the scheme are now easily accessible online and therefore the content of the revised scheme is focused on making the best use of the contact time with the instructors/coaches.

Start Racing

This is aimed at sailors who have recently started sailing. RYA National Sailing Scheme Level 2 or Youth Sailing Scheme Stage 3 are the recommended pre-requisite skill levels. Start Racing introduces the basic skills needed to enter and compete in a race.

Club Racing

This is where we expect most club sailors to start and build on their boat-handling, speed and knowledge required to develop a strategic plan based on the conditions.

Regional Racing

This gives the sailors the skills to adapt to sailing at different venues and in more challenging conditions.

Championship Racing

This is more tailored to the needs of the sailors and is quite likely the end result of a full training programme.

Where can I see all the details of the RYA Racing Scheme?

The full details are available on the RYA Learning Network.