Children at BTYC

Kid's Sailing

We are delighted to welcome children at BTYC.

We teach children from the age of 8 up.   As we are a voluntary, non-AALA registered club, parents or guardians are responsible for their children at all times; one of them must be present when their children are at the Club.

After the first taster session, both child and parent must become members of BTYC – as part of family membership or as a Junior with the parent a Standard or Social member.

Generally, we are not able to teach young people on their own.   However we are very happy to teach children in families, and to teach parents who can then teach their children.

You can download a summary of most of this page by clicking on: 2009 Children at BTYC (.pdf file, 23 kb).

Free Thursday evenings

Beginners. Children who are total beginners can come with their parents on Thursday evenings.   All training is at the discretion of the Senior Instructor on duty, but normally younger children will start by going out with their parent/guardian and an instructor.

Once the club knows the child and the child has got used to the way things work they can go out separately from their parent, or may, when circumstances are appropriate, be introduced to sailing our smaller boats (Oppies, Toppers, Picos).

Improvers. The Senior Instructor on duty will want to see how much experience the child has.   Then they can discuss what is the most appropriate step forward.

Contact: Helen Allen at click to email

Seasonal fee: HYS (Harp Young Sailors)

Harp Young Sailors is a cross-club enterprise for children aged 8–18. Recreational sailing takes place every Sunday afternoon from 1 o'clock. HYS also runs RYA training courses aimed at beginners, improvers and racers, during the holidays and selected weekends. 

Parents must be present with their children at all sessions.

Contact: Allen Talbot - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://harpyoungsailors.co.ukl

Club Checkout for Kids

Under 18s can be checked out to sail club boats independently, but must normally be accompanied to the Club by their parent or guardian.   Conditions of checkout are at the discretion of the training officer.

If Parents Can Already Sail

If you can already sail and want to take your child out with you then you need to be checked out on the Club boats.   When you have been signed off you can borrow a boat and take your child out with you.

There are also informal ad hoc sessions planned where club members and their children will meet for sailing and a picnic – these are not teaching sessions, but an opportunity to meet other families.

Kid's Windsurfing

Unfortunately due to the closure of the Youth Base on the Harp, the T15 club for youngsters has stopped.

However we can train younger members with a parent or guardian present.

The absolute minimum age for children to windsurf is 10 years, it is also at the discretion of the instructor on duty; for young windsurfers there is no guarantee they will be permitted to sail.

We have a number of small rigs specifically for children