There are two main avenues to learning to windsurf via the Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club:
CLUB TRAINING
Club Training – Informal tuition in a series of beginner sessions run on various Saturday mornings from April to October from 10am-12 noon. They include practice on the shore with a simulator and training and can lead to achievement to RYA stages/levels. You can feel safe as there will be a safety boat to look after you and equipment IS provided by YDSC. The sessions are run entirely voluntarily and there is no charge for club members, but we do ask for a voluntary contribution of £10 per person to help towards the cost of kit, boat maintenance and the cost of fuel for the safetyboats. Participants can work towards RYA Start Windsurfing syllabuses and sessions are open to adults and to children over the age of 8. Sessions must be booked in advance. Coordinator Vince Grealy Email:
Please arrive at 9.30am for a morning session to register and get kitted up. The club can provide you with a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and helmet. Please bring with you either wetsuit boots or an old pair of trainers you do not mind getting wet, warm socks, a waterproof top and a pair of thin gloves with a grippy palm.
BOOKING CLOSES AT 14:00 ON THE THURSDAY BEFORE
Dates:
Sat 3 May 25
Sat 17 May 25
Sat 14 Jun 25
Sat 28 Jun 25
Sat 12 Jul 25
Sat 6 Sep 25
[Sat 20 Sep 25 – cancelled due to no instructors available]
Sat 4 Oct 25
RYA 2 DAY COURSES
YDSC is a RYA Recognised Training Centre and runs intensive 2 day courses that follow RYA syllabus and lead to RYA certificates. There is a £149 charge for these courses. They are an ideal way of fast tracking your learning. The courses are aimed at adults and teenagers.
The 2 day RYA Start Windsurfing Course is aimed at beginners and successful candidates will learn to handle a board and be able to sail competently in appropriate conditions. The course includes instruction, RYA logbook, use of club boards and rigs and loan of wetsuit, buoyancy aid and helmet if needed. Detailed joining instructions will be sent to participants in advance of the course.
These courses are only open to club members. If you are not a currently a club member you can join the club for a minimum period of 3 months in order to access the course and hopefully your experience will make you want to join the club permanently! Coordinator Vince Grealy Email: . For membership please contact and for further information on RYA courses please contact Erica Caswell at
In the event of a cancellation your course fee will be refunded. Bookings close 7 days in advance. Dates for this year are below. If these dates don’t work then contact Vince at to see if it is possible to make other arrangements.
- Dates for 2025 will be posted by the end of the year.