Senior instructor training 

The Senior Instructor (SI) is an experienced instructor who has been assessed as competent to organise and manage courses within the RYA's Sailing Scheme.

Senior Instructors are qualified to organise and control group sailing tuition and to supervise and assist instructors. SIs must be confident, competent managers, capable of organising groups of all ages and directing the work of their instructors.

An RYA recognised dinghy/keelboat/mulithull training centre must have a current SI as its Principal or chief sailing instructor, though a Yachtmaster instructor may fulfil this role in a keelboat centre.

Eligibility

Candidates must first be an RYA dinghy instructor and must fulfil the following criteria prior to the SI course:

• Minimum age 18;
• Dinghy Senior Instructor: At least two years intermittent or one year full time instructing since qualifying as an RYA Dinghy or Multihull Instructor
• Keelboat Senior Instructor: At least two years intermittent or one year full time instructing since qualifying as an RYA Keelboat Instructor
• RYA Safety Boat certificate*
• Valid first aid certificate (either the RYA’s First Aid Certificate, or one recognised by the Health and Safety Executive, covering the treatment of hypothermia and a minimum of six hours course length)
• Signed recommendation from the Principal of an RYA recognised Training Centre (see G14/05)
• Sailing ability to at least the standard of RYA Instructor (an assessment may be necessary if sailing ability cannot be adequately demonstrated during the training course).

* Please note that if you wish to attend a coastal instructor training course, the Safety Boat certificate should be completed at a coastal location.

During the course candidates will be asked to demonstrate that they have sailing ability to at least the standard of an RYA dinghy instructor.

Training

Courses are run on a regional basis with a minimum of six students. Courses are organised through the Regional Coach and staffed by two or more RYA Coach/Assessors. The course may take the form of two weekends (four whole days) and include some material covered prior to the course.

Assessment

The assessment will be continuous and will be made by at least two Coach/Assessors.

*All candidates are required to hold a first aid certificate.  Acceptable certificates include the RYA’s First Aid Certificate, First Aid at Sea, or any other certificate issued on completion of a course which is a minimum of one day’s duration, recognised by the Health and Safety Executive and includes the treatment of hypothermia, cold shock and drowning.