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Instructor courses
Turn your time on the water into a qualification. RYA instructor courses for dinghy sailing, windsurfing and powerboating, on the lake where you could be teaching next summer.
Instructor courses.
Instructor courses are run and assessed with RYA Trainers. Entry requirements are set by the RYA. Wirral Watersports is an RYA Recognised Training Centre.
RYA Dinghy Assistant Instructor
Help qualified instructors teach beginners. A first step into instructing, by recommendation of a centre’s Principal.
About 20 hoursRYA Dinghy Instructor
Teach the RYA National and Youth Sailing Schemes. Needs a pre-entry assessment in the last year, a first aid certificate, Powerboat Level 2 and RYA Safe and Fun.
Age 16+ · 5 daysRYA Senior Dinghy Instructor
Run courses and manage instructors. For Dinghy Instructors with two part-time seasons or one full-time season of teaching.
Age 18+RYA Start Windsurfing Instructor
Teach the Start Windsurfing course. For competent windsurfers who’ve completed RYA Safe and Fun.
Age 16+ · 5 daysRYA Powerboat Instructor
Teach RYA powerboat courses. Needs five seasons of logged powerboating (one if it’s your job), Powerboat Level 2, first aid and a pre-entry skills assessment.
Age 18+ · 3 daysRYA Advanced Powerboat Instructor
Teach the Advanced Powerboat course, including a night exercise.
Powerboat InstructorsCourse dates go on sale before we open in spring 2027. Instructor courses run mainly in spring, before the summer season.
The instructor pathway.
- 1. Get the tickets
- RYA First Aid, Powerboat Level 2 and Safe and Fun. You need all three before the Dinghy Instructor course, and you can do them all here. See staff courses.
- 2. Pre-entry assessment
- Show your sailing is up to the RYA standard, within a year of your instructor course.
- 3. Instructor course
- Five days of training and assessment with an RYA Trainer.
- 4. Teach
- Start instructing, then work towards Senior Instructor.
Good to know.
Can I do all the pre-course qualifications here?
Yes. We plan to run RYA First Aid, Powerboat Level 2 and Safe and Fun, so you can get everything you need in one place. Ask us about dates.
Do you employ instructors?
We’ll be recruiting for the 2027 season. Email us with your qualifications and experience.
How long does it take to qualify?
If you already sail well, you can get the pre-course tickets, the pre-entry assessment and the five-day Dinghy Instructor course done in a few weeks.
Hear when instructor courses open.
Instructor course dates go on sale before we open. Sign up and we’ll tell you when they’re out.