Instructor 2023

RYA Instructor Training

Why an RYA Course?

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the National Governing Body for sailing, windsurfing and powerboating and is generally considered to provide the benchmark for watersports training standards globally. RYA recognised clubs and centres are inspected and approved by an independent assessor as working to the highest standards for safety, learning and enjoyment for the students of all of their programmes, so this certainly gives peace of mind when entrusting loved ones to a new activity and environment.

RYA training is delivered around the world so if you always look for the badge you can be reassured that instruction is consistent and moving from one RYA venue to another shouldn’t result in having to learn everything again from a different syllabus or training style.

we look back on a brilliant season, I am once again incredibly blessed to be running such

wonderful business. I am beyond proud of what our amazing staff team have achieved

delivered to each and every one of our customers this year.

The past few years have certainly been interesting and as such, we have changed and adapted the business accordingly. Dare I say it, things feel a lot more like ‘normal’ and it is really inspiring to see young people enjoying themselves with us again and having the full outdoor experience that we know brings so many benefits.

This time of year gives me a great opportunity to reflect on some of our successes and more moments to be proud about including: The Dorset School Games and Can Do Festival, the completion of phase 1 of our proposed developments at Buddens Activity Centre, reaching full capacity at Buddens with 300 students per week and our hugely successful Apprenticeship programme. An outstanding education provision for our sixth form students Looking ahead to next year, we do have some exciting plans for further development at our Buddens Activity Centre which will really enhance the experience of our young people staying there. We are also hugely excited about returning to France again next summer after a three-year absence.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere thanks for your ongoing support and custom this past year and I look forward to seeing you again at Rockley soon. Pip Woods, MD

RYA Instructor Training

With our experienced team of four full time RYA Coach Assessors, we offer unrivalled experience and expertise with more training, courses and qualifications on the water than anyone else. Based at our flagship watersports centre, Rockley Point in Poole Harbour, you can learn and train in a spectacular setting and achieve remarkable results.

RYA Instructor qualifications are recognised worldwide, opening up opportunities for you to work around the world. Our hugely popular Instructor Training courses are taught by a team of highly qualified individuals with many years’ experience between them. We offer the highest standard of training to ensure a future generation of highly skilled and competent individuals.

MOST POPULAR

RYA Dinghy Instructor (16+)

Our very popular 5-day RYA Dinghy Instructor course teaches you the RYA method, the structure of the RYA and how to teach sailing. An RYA Dinghy Instructor qualification is highly valued and is recognised as the industry standard for employment at watersports centres and holiday organisations both here in the UK and overseas.

This course runs throughout the year and every week of the school holidays. It is our most popular RYA Instructor course so ensure you book in plenty of time to guarantee a space. If you would like any advice regarding this course and the pre-requisites required, call the office on 01202 677272.

Please note that you are required to complete the RYA Pre-entry Assessment before attending the RYA Dinghy Instructor course, RYA Powerboat Level 2, First Aid & RYA Safe & Fun Safeguarding

RYA Dinghy Instructor Pre Entry Sailing Assessment

(16+)

An RYA pre-requisite for the RYA Dinghy Instructor course is that all candidates have to pass RYA Pre-Entry Sailing Assessment, conducted by an RYA Coach Assessor. Sailing skills such as man overboard, sailing tight circles, sailing a triangular course and sailing a follow-my-leader course will be assessed to advanced sailing standard. We offer an optional practice day prior to the assessment.

Instructor Preparation Week (16+)

Aimed at those who would benefit from more practice and preparation prior to taking the RYA Pre Entry Assessment. With 4 days on the water working through the assessment syllabus really getting to grips with the manoeuvres in our local conditions, you will have the best possible preparation before taking the RYA Pre Entry Assessment on the Friday.

RYA Powerboat Level 2 (14+)

This ever-popular 2-day course includes basic seamanship skills such as handling the boat safely under power in a variety of conditions. You will practice manoeuvres such as coming alongside and man overboard. Some speed work will also be undertaken outside the harbour.

RYA First Aid

This one day course covers the principles of first aid with the emphasis on working in a water-based environment. The qualification is valid for 3 years and recognised for all RYA Instructor qualifications.

RYA Safe And Fun Safeguarding - Online Course

This course is suitable for anyone working with children and vulnerable adults in an RYA environment. This includes those volunteering or working at recognised training centres and affiliated clubs. It provides a basic level of knowledge and awareness, put in the context of realistic scenarios that anyone could encounter at their club or centre and is also a pre-requisite for instructor training.

RYA Senior Instructor (18+)

This 4-day course covers preparation and delivery of sessions, course and centre management, powerboat handling in a teaching environment, RYA Sailing Schemes and the role of a Senior Instructor. Students will be assessed on a continual basis over the 4 days when running water-based sessions.

RYA Safety Boat (18+)

This 2-day course trains competent powerboat drivers in fleet rescue and the techniques required when rescuing small craft. It is useful for those wishing to assist with rescue cover at their local sailing club and is also a pre-requisite for the RYA Senior Instructor Course.

RYA Start Windsurf Instructor (16+)

This 5-day course is for competent windsurfers who are looking to teach the RYA Start Windsurfing course and the RYA Youth Windsurfing Scheme.

RYA Powerboat Instructor (16+)

This 3-day course trains you in the various techniques and teaching methods required to instruct the RYA Level 1 and 2 syllabus and is run by an RYA Powerboat Trainer. All students will run a number of sessions to develop personal skills and teaching ability. Please note that you are required to complete the 1-day RYA Powerboat Instructor Pre-skills Assessment before attending the course.

RYA Powerboat Instructor Pre-Skills Assessment

This is a pre-requisite for the RYA Powerboat Instructor Course. It is a 1-day assessment and candidates must demonstrate a high level of powerboat driving competence.

This is a compulsory assessment day to allow entry onto the RYA Powerboat Instructor course. During the day the students will cover a series of manoeuvres and demonstrate competence of powerboat driving to Instructor standards.

2 Day Instructor Endorsements

RYA Advanced Instructor (16+)

The RYA Advanced Instructor qualification enables experienced RYA Dinghy Instructors to coach advanced boat handling skills and the RYA Performance Sailing module.

RYA Race Instructor (16+)

The RYA Racing Instructor qualification enables experienced RYA Dinghy Instructors, with a passion for racing, to develop skills and techniques required to teach the RYA Start Racing module.

RYA Multihull Instructor (16+)

The course will involve the coaching of multihull skills through the running of sessions ashore and afloat. In order to run such sessions successfully a good practical knowledge of multihull sailing techniques and manoeuvres is expected.

If you book all the required pre requisites along with your RYA Dinghy Instructor course (RYA Pre Entry Assessment, RYA Powerboat Level 2, RYA First Aid) we will give you 10% off the courses.

12 Week Outdoor Instructor Package

Your fast-track route in to the watersports and outdoor industry. We’ll get you there faster!

Since 1976, Rockley have been passionate about developing instructor candidates, and have a proven track record when moving on to gain successful employment. At Rockley, our passion is the outdoors, not only do we do it as our jobs (and love it!), but we extend that when introducing both young and old people to the outdoors through our very own College, based at Rockley Point, with over 100 students each year.

NEW COURSE

The Details

Based over 2 of our centres, Rockley Point and Buddens Activity Centre, both in the heart of Dorset, the 12 week Professional Outdoor Instructor Course offers each candidate expert training and qualifications to start your career in the outdoor industry. By combining both land and water qualifications, you will have an extremely diverse set of qualifications to enhance your skill sets to enable you to gain employment in a variety of outdoor industry settings, and of course, the opportunity to work at any of Rockley’s venues upon completion of the course.

We are offering each candidate the opportunity to gain up to 25 industry qualifications to start their new career or enhance an existing passion for everything outdoors.

Watersports Qualifications

• RYA Level 1

• RYA Level 2

• RYA Level 3

• RYA Seamanship Skills

• RYA Day Sailing

• RYA Racing

• RYA Sailing with Spinnakers

• Instructor Preparation Week plus Assessment

• RYA Powerboat Level 2

• RYA First Aid

• RYA Safe and Fun Safeguarding Course

• RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship

• RYA Dinghy Instructor Course

• BSUPA Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor

• BSUPA Paddleboard Instructor

• Foundation Safety and Rescue Training

Course Costs

£6,500 (excluding accommodation and food) £7,000 (Inclusive of accommodation and food)

Sponsorship opportunities might be available with a course cost of £3,000 (inclusive of accommodation and food) for the right candidates, subject to an application process

Land Based Qualifications

• BSUPA Level 1 Instructor – Ready to Ride

• British Canoe Paddlesport Instructor

• Foundation Safety and Rescue Training

• NCFE Level 2 Bushcraft Instructor

• Archery GB Leader

• NRSA Rifle Training and Assessment

• Climbing Wall Award

• ERCA Training

• Tomahawk Leader Training

Outdoor Sports Education & Development Programmes 16 - 18 year olds

Rockley Education has expanded to offer both, our ever popular, Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport & Physical Activity (Outdoors) course, a Level 2 Diploma in Sport (Outdoors) and the Level 3 Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship following the Level 3 course. This year will see Rockley becoming the largest provider of the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport & Physical Activity (Outdoors) course with over 120 students. Its popularity has increased year-on-year.

“The Rockley Level 3 programme really has changed my life and has given me the confidence to chase my dreams! I can’t thank them enough for what they have helped me achieve and my time here will stay with me forever.” Charlotte Moors, Graduate

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport & Physical Activity (Outdoors)

This is our flagship course and our most popular. With 18 units, it really covers the depth and breadth of the skills, knowledge and understanding required to work in the Sports and Outdoor Adventure Industry. This two-year Advanced Level 3 Extended Diploma course is equivalent to 3 A Levels and carries UCAS points and is therefore suitable for progression to university. As well as offering a high level of vocational training giving you the qualifications required to go straight into employment.

Level 2 Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Adventure)

This course is designed as the entry level course for our students. It’s a Level 2 programme and is equivalent to GCSE level study. This one year course is equivalent to 4 GCSEs and covers all the elements required to get you started in the Sport and Outdoor Adventure industry. This is perfect for someone who prefers a more practical approach to learning.

Example modules include: Participating in Sport, Outdoor and adventurous activities plan, deliver and evaluate an activity session, leading an outdoor activity session, expedition experience.

Level 3 Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship

This course is specifically designed to kick start your career as an Outdoor Activity Instructor and fast track you on to senior roles in our delivery team. You will be trained in all the activities we deliver including water-based and land-based activities and you will have the opportunity to work across all our three UK centres. You will have a full induction into the company and will cover elements such as First Aid, Health and Safety, Customer Care, Manual Handling, COSHH, Fire Safety, Child Protection and Safeguarding and learning all operational procedures.

College Open Events & Campus Tours

Our College Open Events and Campus Tours are the perfect opportunity for you to check out our campus, speak to teachers and chat to students. Find out more about the courses we offer, the range of additional qualifications you can achieve through our free optional training days and discover the benefits of studying at Rockley over a traditional sixth form college. All our Open Event and Tour dates are listed on our website.

our website for our

Open Events -

Serious about Safety

With over 46 years of experience in teaching watersports, we have an enviable reputation for our high safety standards, which are rigorously applied at all our centres throughout the UK and France.

Being part of the Rockley Watersports group we can boast the highest level of qualified staff, with four RYA Coach Assessors and 10 Senior Instructors amongst our permanent staff. All our instructors are RYA qualified - the majority in more than one discipline. You can relax and be confident in the safety of all activities.

All our centres are fully recognised by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) – the National Governing Body for the sports of sailing, windsurfing and powerboating. The RYA inspects recognised training centres annually.

In addition, our UK centres hold an Adventurous Activity Licensing Authority (AALA) licence.

Poole Harbour

Rockley Point

Our sailing area in Poole Harbour, just off the beach from our Rockley Point centre offers the most perfect place for you to gain your RYA instructor qualification, whichever course you choose.

For those wishing to book an RYA Instructor course or package with Rockley, we also offer on-site accommodation for 16-24 year olds.

Our purpose-built accommodation is only a short walk from the sailing centre. Each ensuite bunkroom sleeps between four and six people with males and females accommodated separately. Please inform us if fyou wish to share a room with another person on the course. Our own catering team provide three healthy, balanced meals a day.

Alternative Options -

B&B - contact Poole Tourism on 01202 262600 or www.pooletourism.com

Rockley Park - mobile homes are available to rent located on Rockley Park, call 01202 679393

Your Future with Rockley

At Rockley we recognise that it’s our staff who are our most valuable asset and are some of the best in the industry and for this reason we go to great lengths to ensure that Rockley is a great place to work.

We offer a variety of management and senior management positions as well as water/activity based roles, support and catering vacancies. All these roles come with all the benefits you would expect with working for one of the most reputable companies in the watersports industry. Our development programme also gives you the opportunity to grow your skills set during your time with us.

Got what it takes?

RYA Sailing &

RYA Powerboat Courses

RYA Shorebased Courses