This page is only for current ‘Young Leaders’ and current ‘HOAC Staff’.*
*Please note if you book through this page and you are not a current member of our team your booking will be void.
This is an exciting opportunity for enthusiastic Young Leaders to develop into fully qualified instructors. The course has been split into four specific watersport sections: Sailing, Windsurfing, Kayaking and Sculling. This allows students to work towards becoming an instructor in their favourite watersport.
Within each watersport section there are 3 areas to complete before passing as a fully qualified instructor.
Training Programmes
Sailing Training Programme
Pre-requisites: Ideally hold RYA Seamanship Skills or Level 2/Stage 4 plus two seasons sailing experience
This intensive six day programme will run during the summer holidays. The initial five days of the course will build on existing skills in an attempt to get the candidates up to pre-assessment standard. Passing the final day pre-assessment is essential to proceed onto the Dinghy Instructor course in October. The cost also includes the online safe and fun course.
Over the autumn you will be expected to practise your skills and build your experience in preparation for the instructor’s course.
Instructor ratio: 1:5
Windsurfing Training Programme
Pre-requisites: Start Windsurfing & Beach Start Clinic and 20 hours logged windsurfing this year.
This course runs over four weekends over the summer months allowing for practise time between each course. The four days will be spent working on the RYA Fastfwd non-planing skills, which include harnessing, faster tacking & gybing and improved steering skills aiming to get you to the entry level to become a Windsurfing Instructor. The cost also includes the online safe and fun course.
Instructor ratio: 1:5
Kayaking Training Programme
Pre-requisites: 1 Star or Discover
The training programme is broken down into the 2 day Explore Award course and the 1 day Foundation Safety and Rescue Test.
Explore Award – These 2 days will be spent improving your Kayaking and Canoeing skills on flat water: paddling skills, rescues, safety, leadership, theory all working towards achieving your Explore award.
Foundation Safety & Rescue Training – The day will be spent working on water and shore-based rescues in order to achieve a wider knowledge of rescues in preparation to become an instructor.
Extra add-on courses
Before moving on to your instructor course, some of the National Governing Bodies (NGB’s) require you to gain additional qualifications. We offer the following at a discounted rate for Young Leaders:
- RYA First Aid
- RYA Powerboat Level 1 & 2
- RYA Safety Boat
- RYA Safe & Fun (free when booking onto an RYA Instructor Course)
Instructor Courses
The final thing to then complete is an instructor course in the relevant sport.
RYA Dinghy Instructor Course
Due to Covid the RYA Dinghy Instructor Course will be run over 3 days in single handers only with the last day being moderated This will allow you to work going forward in single handers only. A 2 day top up will need to be completed in double handers in the future to allow you to become fully qualified. These final 2 days will be organised with the centre once it is safe to do so and is included in the above cost.
This course is five days of intensive but enjoyable training in all aspects of teaching beginners and improvers to sail, including moderation by another coach at the end of the course. Our coaches will make sure you pick up top tips and new ideas.
Pre-requisites: Sailing Pre-assessment, Appointed Person First Aid, RYA Powerboat Level 2, Safe and Fun, RYA Membership.
Instructor ratio: 1:5
RYA Start Windsurfing Instructor Course – Cancelled for 2020
During October Half Term we will be running a five day Windsurf Instructor Course here or at Bray Lake, near Windsor. This intensive course will improve your demonstration skills and give you all the techniques needed to teach windsurfing. Students will not be accepted on the instructor course unless they have windsurfed in a location other than HOAC. Discounted sessions are available at Bray Lake prior to the course (contact Bray Lake for more information)
Pre-requisites: RYA Fastfwd Non-Planing, Observation of a ‘RYA Start Windsurfing Course’, Appointed Person First Aid, RYA Powerboat Level 2, Safe and Fun and RYA Membership.
Instructor ratio: 1:5
Core Coach Training & Sheltered Water Training
The Core Coach training will explore different approaches to coaching. It will help work on your personal coaching and put learning into practice. Once you have completed core coach the sheltered water coach training is based on the knowledge, understanding and skills that the coaches need to plan appropriate sessions for participants. The training course focusing on the ‘What and How’ to coach, building on your core training in a sheltered water environment. (Optional Skills refresher day 21st October – £25)
Pre-requisites: 2 Star or Explore, FSRT, Appointed Person First Aid, BC Membership.
1 Day Sheltered Water Coach Assessment
When you feel ready you can complete your sheltered water coach by passing a 1 day assessment which includes practical coaching, rescue skills, personal skills and a discussion topic.
Let us know in the ‘notes for staff’ section when booking the course whether you wish to be assessed as sheltered water kayak coach or sheltered water canoe coach or both.
Assessments must be booked 2 weeks in advance and all paperwork must also be submitted by this point.
Pre-requisites: Aged 16 years or over (at the time of the assessment) Coach Award Core Coach Training, Coach Award Discipline Specific Training, Appointed Person First Aid, Safeguarding Training (as required by your Home nation Association) BC membership.
We also run the following courses on demand:
- British Rowing Level 2 Sculling Session Coach
- British Canoeing SUP Module
All instructor courses are open to individuals 16 years and over. The cost of the course includes HOAC membership and free equipment hire.
Places are limited and allocated on a first come first served basis, so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
