Chew Crew

Friendly informal group tuition is provided for youngsters aged between 8 (by the 01-May-18), and 16. We use Optibats, Topper and Terra dinghies with full safety cover on Sunday Mornings from 10 am from May to September.

These sessions provide a marvellous opportunity for personal development of our children acquiring the skills of sailing and seamanship whilst having fun on the water. The sessions are open to all youngsters with Stage 2 ability.

Please note the following points:

  • Junior Sailing takes place every Sunday morning between 10.00 and 13.00.
  • Please be punctual to maximise time on the water.
  • Juniors must register on arrival and sign out before leaving.
  • Juniors must wear a correctly fitted Life Jacket or Buoyancy Aid and protective footwear at all times. A wet suit is highly desirable.
  • Plenty of warm clothing should be brought each week, including windproof and/or shower proof jacket a change of clothes and shoes.
  • No boat is allowed to sail unless the Rescue Boat is in attendance.
  • All Juniors must be prepared to enter the water for capsize drill, and be able to swim.

Junior Sailing relies on adult volunteers for the wide range of jobs that keep this activity going. Please will parents or guardians indicate in the space available on the Junior Application Form how they can help us with Junior Sailing. Once applicants have been confirmed parents will be contacted to find out more.  Adult helpers will be sent a form that needs to be completed in regard to the necessary child protection procedures. Please don’t be offended by this;  it is an essential procedure to protect our volunteers. Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult helper in order to be allowed on the water.

Beginner Sailing RYA Stage 1 & 2

Learn to Sail

Intermediate Skills

(Sunday mornings if more people then the groups will be split up in to A & B weeks)

This group is for young sailors who have had some sailing experience and are gaining confidence on the water. They should be able to sail a sailing dinghy in light weather conditions and if necessary will be paired up with another more experienced sailor.  There will be a programme of activities on and off the water to gain confidence and learn skills in a fun environment.

This group will work on RYA Stage 1 &2 as a refresh/rust remover at the beginning of the season, and them move onto RYA Stage 3 activities.  The group will have the options of trying different boats such as RS Tera, Topper, Feva or Visions, which gives participants the chance of trying big boat sailing.

Please note if the weather is bad there will be on shore based activities and theory sessions instead of being on the water

Chew Crew Junior Race Days

Chew Crew Junior Race Days are all day sessions running approximately monthly. Aimed at those with some experience in the Intermediate group or above, or with equivalent experience, who want to improve their sailing and to try out some racing. The goal is to improve sailing skills, while having fun, and trying to make the boats go faster! Typically with multiple coaches for each session, both those that are brand new to trying racing, and those that may already have done a number of races and are looking to refine their technique, are well catered for. Sailing is either in private or club boats, Optimists, RS Teras, Toppers, Mirrors and RS Fevas are all welcome.

More details on webcollect.

Booking via Webcollect

Youth Sailors must be members of Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club to access the Junior Programme or RYA training.

There is a single annual charge of £50 to participate in the Chew Crew Youth Programme.  This is a one-off fee regardless of the number of days you attend.

Contact the Chew Crew Co-ordinator if you would like to find out more.  Contact details are listed on the Youth Contact page.

RYA Stage 1&2 (youth) – Chew Crew 2019

A course providing RYA combined Stage 1 and 2 dinghy sailing training, aimed at newcomers to sailing aged 8-16.

Chew Crew 2019 – Intermediates (RYA Level 2 and above)

Friendly informal group tuition is provided for youngsters aged between 8 (by the 1st May), and 16.