Following a long period of consultation and discussion, the new National Sailing Scheme is now available. From January 2002, Recognised Teaching Establishments will offer the new scheme that replaces the old level 1-5 courses.

The new scheme, say the RYA, “is designed to better support the newer asymmetric spinnaker designs, together with keelboats and multihulls, whilst also including existing activity in aft mainsheet boats. In response to many requests the new scheme provides opportunities to run short courses in flexible formats. All courses have a minimum length of two days, and courses can be combined where required to make longer courses”.

The new scheme begins with a Basic Skills Level 2 Course, after which the sailor is presented with five options:

The ‘Performance Sailing’ course is an opportunity for sailors to be coached and improve their boat handling. Aimed at the club racer, this course focuses on sail control, balance and sailing the best course possible.

‘Day Sailing’ is a coastal course designed to teach the skills of small boat cruising. This course can be delivered at certain inland venues if supervised by a coastal Senior Instructor, but does require an extensive cruising area with navigation marks and traffic.

‘Sailing with Spinnakers’ enables the student to get a good grasp of handling one type of spinnaker, asymmetric or symmetric.

‘Seamanship Skills’ and ‘Start Racing’ courses are aligned with levels 3 and 4 previously.

To supplement the courses, the Beginners Handbook G3/2002 will be available during March 2002 and the Advanced Handbook G12/2002 will be available in the summer. A new logbook G4/2002 is available now.