Youth Sailing

Paignton Sailing Club offers comprehensive sailing tuition and race training for individuals aged eight years and older. Our objective is to promote safe participation in dinghy sailing and foster a positive experience on the water for young sailors.

Details of our Learn to Sail Courses can be found under the Calendar tab

Big Friday Sailing - During the summer months, commencing at the end of March, Friday evenings will once again be designated as our Big Friday Sailing night. This initiative offers juniors a safe and structured environment designed to enhance their sailing skills through a variety of activities such as informal instruction, short races, and cruises to nearby beaches. While these sessions primarily cater to younger participants, Friday evenings also provide an excellent opportunity for adult members seeking to develop new abilities or refresh existing ones in a supportive setting.

Family and parental involvement is essential both onshore and on the water. We strongly encourage parents to participate by assisting around the harbour, supporting in the galley, acting as instructors, serving as rescue boat drivers, or providing general assistance—or even learning to sail themselves. Engagement in Friday night activities allows participants to acquire practical skills including rigging and launching club dinghies and manning safety boats, while observing youth sailors in action in our scenic bay.

All skill levels are welcome, and boat ownership is not required. The Club maintains a fleet of boats suitable for various sailing experiences. The participation fee for a Friday evening session is £7 per sailor.

Moving Up to Racing - On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, juniors can join club racing sessions with full rescue support available. Participants should be confident in current conditions and have parental supervision on land. The club offers boats for hire during these times, but we strongly encourage junior racers to consider owning their own boat.

Owning a boat brings many benefits and shouldn't be a financial obstacle; we can help find suitable boats and offer boat parking arrangements. Additionally, we encourage involvement in regional and national training opportunities. Currently, several junior and youth members are participating in competitions and training programs at both regional and national levels.

Last updated 18:45 on 4 April 2026