In 2025 we will be running another popular crew training programme based in the RYS Jubilee Yacht Haven, sailing J70s. Everyone who comes to the event stays in and around the Castle and all meals are taken in a combination of the Platform and the Ladies Dining Room, with a guest speaker on the Tuesday evening.

The object of the event is very much to encourage our young to step up from dinghy sailing. We aim to “light the fire” so the focus is on energy and enthusiasm as much as boat experience. We welcome a whole range of talent as long as they really want to be there and learn! The ideal age is sixth form, gap year and university, but we are prepared to make exceptions for good dinghy sailors in the GCSE year.

The sailing involves a series of races over 2 days, delivered by the RYS Race Committee. On each J70 we have one Member Instructor, one experienced crew and two to three students, and the idea is that each sailor works their way around the boat, having a taste if not getting to grips with each role on the boat. 

Members are invited to put forward suitable candidates - they could be children, grandchildren, godchildren, or friends of the family. The reputation of this programme rides very high and with such a high caliber of instructors - many of them past students themselves, the places for this coming year will fill up fast.

It makes an excellent Christmas present for every youngster with a keen interest in sailing and the opportunities that come from it, whether racing or cruising. The current cost is £475.00 per student, which includes food and accommodation and charter costs. All the volunteers are unpaid and in fact pay for their own costs.

We hope that Members will come forward with racing and cruising opportunities next year for the young who have been on this course. This will give added reason for coming and joining our wonderful event. The racing and cruising crew lists on our refreshed website are now live.

Please support the great work the team have been doing by sending all your keen youngsters along for what is always a great fun event and watch them fly. This course gives them the opportunity to walk away (of course having had some fun in the process) armed with a new set of skills which they can spring into action and make themselves useful - perhaps even invaluable - crew members of the future.

Please book through the Online Booking Form. A flyer for the event is available here.