A special update with a focus on the upcoming 2026 youth and Junior programme, and reminder about the police breakfast invitation
2026 Youth Programme
Youth courses
This year we are hoping to run RYA youth courses for stage 1-4 for children aged 8 to 16 and a separate Chew Crew youth sailing programme for those who have already achieved RYA stage 2 or higher and are wanting to practice their sailing, start to participate in club races and/or improve their racing skills.
The youth programme will be led suitably qualified club members with instructor experience. All children will need to have a nominated responsible adult on site, who may need to assist the instructing team by crewing rescue boats, helping with launching and landing, etc.
The sign up forms for the following courses will ‘go live’ on Webcollect at 7pm on Wednesday 11 February:
Chew Crew – stage 2+ MORNINGS : 8 Sunday morning sailing sessions (09:30-12:30), for sailors who have already completed stage 2 or higher, to build skills and confidence. Dates: 26/04, 03/05, 10/05, 17/05, 07/06, 14/06, 28/06, 19/07. Cost £120. (6 spaces)
Chew Crew – stage 2+ AFTERNOONS : 6 Sunday afternoon sailing sessions (13:30-16:30), for sailors who have already completed stage 2 or higher, to build skills and confidence. Dates: 26/04, 03/05, 10/05, 17/05, 14/06, 28/06, 12/07. Cost £90 (6 spaces)
Chew Crew – stage 3+: 8 Sunday morning sailing sessions (09:30-12:30), for sailors who are sailing at stage 3 or higher (i.e. happy to rig & sail a single hander independently) to build skills and confidence. Dates: 26/04, 03/05, 10/05, 17/05, 07/06, 14/06, 28/06, 19/07. Cost £120 (6 spaces)
Chew Crew – Topper/Tera racing: 8 Sunday morning sailing sessions (09:30-12:30) focussing on boat control and racing skills. Aimed at more confident sailors, sailing at stage 3 or higher (i.e. happy to rig & sail a single hander independently). Sailors who sign up for this programme will learn to race/improve their racing skills and are expected to attend most weeks and are strongly encouraged to stay on for Sunday afternoon club races. Dates: 26/04, 03/05, 10/05, 17/05, 07/06, 14/06, 28/06, 19/07. Cost £120 (9 spaces)
Chew Crew – Feva racing: 6 Sunday morning sailing sessions (09:30-12:30) focussing on boat control and racing skills. Aimed at more confident sailors, sailing at stage 4 or higher (i.e. happy to rig & sail a double hander independently). Sailors should sign up independently and will swap around as helms/crews throughout the course. Sailors who sign up for this programme will learn to race/improve their racing skills and are expected to attend most weeks and are strongly encouraged to stay on for Sunday afternoon club races. Dates: 26/04, 17/05, 07/06, 14/06, 12/07, 19/07. Cost £90 (8 spaces)
RYA stage 1 Youth course: 4 Sunday afternoon sessions (13:30 – 17:30), where you’ll learn the basics of sailing a single hander and the opportunity to earn your stage 1 certificate. Dates: 26/04, 03/05, 10/05 & 17/05. Cost £60 (12 spaces)
RYA stage 2 Youth course: 4 Saturday/Sunday afternoon sessions (13:30 – 17:30), where you’ll develop the basics of sailing a single hander and the opportunity to earn your stage 2 certificate. 13/06, 14/06, 28/06, 12/07. Cost £60 (12 spaces)
Club Optibats, Teras, Picos, Toppers, Fevas and Quests will be used the courses and Chew Crew sessions. Similar personal boats could also be used, subject to agreement by the organizing team.
We also hope to offer stage 3 & 4 courses and autumn Chew Crew, after the summer holidays. Further information on these courses will be shared in due course.
Youth racing- Summer youth race trophy
We strongly encourage young sailors, who have already learnt the basics of racing, to join in with club racing, particularly on Sunday afternoons.
The summer race trophy series will run on the following Sunday afternoons: 26/04, 03/05, 10/05, 17/05, 07/06, 14/06, 28/06, 19/07. There’s no advance sign up, participants enter at their own risk, but Nick Martindale will be offering coaching on and off the water, for these races.
Further information
To receive further updates about the youth sailing programme, please join the WhatsApp group by following this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DjVdEnURE3bKOujtLYoiMA. Due to high levels of spam you will be asked to provide your name and membership number before being added to the group.
Please contact the organizing team at chewcrew@chewvalleysailing.org.uk if you have any queries or would like to help out. We aim to check the mailbox at least once a week.
Breakfast at the Lake
A reminder that Avon and Somerset Police Sailing Section have invited members of CVLSC and NARPO members to join them for a breakfast on Wednesday 25-Feb-26
Venue is Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club, Walley Court Road, Chew Stoke, BS40 8XN.
Time: 10:00
Full details and how to book can be found in the event poster available here, details are summarised also below:
Breakfast options:
1– Full English Breakfast plus toast and endless tea/coffee – £12.00 per head
2 – Full Vegetarian Breakfast plus toast and endless tea/coffee – £12.00 per head
3 – 2 x poached eggs on toast, more toast and endless tea/coffee – £7.00 per head
Places are limited, so book early to secure your breakfast!!!
Booking procedure
Email sailing secretary Kim Huxtable –asfcsailingsecretary@gmail.com with confirmation that you/others wish to attend and your menu choices from the above menu.
Kim will add you to the attendance list and then ask you make payment – see below
Please let us know of any specific dietary requirements so these can be catered for
Preferred payment is by BACS.
Please DO NOT pay any monies until you have received email confirmation of booking.
Any questions please speak or email jeffstratford@btinternet.com
Andy Jones
Commodore