RYA Cymru Wales blog – join our Big Day Out!
It’s been fantastic to see the enthusiasm on our social media channels for our next major event in Wales – the Big Day Out!
Whether you are an instructor or coach, volunteer or paid member of staff, or simply a watersports enthusiast - this event on Saturday 3 May 2025 is for you.
Following on from our Big Weekend at Plas Menai in autumn, this spring day out in South and West is likewise inviting you to get on the water with us to stretch or refresh your skills, try something new or get qualified with RYA training.
Check out my at-a-glance guide below to what’s on where. You can also find all the details on our dedicated Big Day Out booking hub when you go to sign up.
Whatever you do, don’t delay as places are limited and we’re expecting that high demand will see some sessions selling out quickly now bookings are live!
Big Day Out overview
Pembrokeshire Yacht Club, Milford Haven
- RYA Race Coach Level 2 Course – Saturday and Sunday
- Intermediate Powerboating with PPSA & Swansea Watersports including boat handling and radar skills
- Refresh your powerboating skills and perhaps complete an RYA Powerboat Instructor pre-assessment
- RYA Regional Race Officer course
- Sailing skills & drills – get the box ticked for the RYA Dinghy Instructor pre-entry assessment or revalidate a lapsed Dinghy or Senior Instructor qualification
Dale with Windswept Watersports & Celtic Sea Watersports
The sheltered, shallow waters of Dale are ideal for watersports and we’ve lined up:
- Morning – intro to winging, or a SUP tour if the wind gods don’t want to play
- All day- beginner/improvers windsurfing
- Afternoon – an opportunity to gain the OnBoard/Swim Safe instructor endorsement for delivering SwimSafe if you’re a windsurfing or dinghy instructor
- RYA Safety Boat Course – Saturday and Sunday
Neyland Yacht Haven with PPSA
- This will be the starting point for a day’s sailing aboard a yacht to explore Milford Haven and the Pembrokeshire coast to develop your skills or perhaps give big boat cruising a go for the first time.
Book now for the RYA Cymru Wales South & West Wales Big Day Out
Be inspired
A sold out RYA Cymru Wales Big Weekend in 2024 saw participants from across north Wales and beyond, with a similarly ambitious programme proving to be a hot ticket!
The feedback from Gresford Sailing Club’s Training Principal, James Eastbury, reflected why we’re so keen to run these events. James revalidated his RYA Dinghy Instructor qualification while fellow members honed their powerboat and paddleboarding skills.
He commented: “It was a good opportunity for our members to diversify their experience and try different watersports, and we came back with ideas and new enthusiasm for getting on the water and for what we can do at the club.”
It was certainly a memorable two days, with people enjoying getting afloat with likeminded people, trying new activities and getting inspired. I’m now really excited to replicate this winning formula with our Big Day Out!
Take a break!
I’ve aimed to ensure we have something for everyone at the Big Day Out and sessions are open to everyone from across Wales, as well as those in the South and West.
If you’re needing to travel and book accommodation to join us, why not make the most of it being a Bank Holiday weekend and enjoy all that Pembrokeshire has to offer!
The Big Day Out is subsidised and supported by RYA Cymru Wales, so our sessions start from as little as £40 and all of them include a packed lunch, which I’m looking forward to delivering in person to you all when I drop by each venue to say hello 😊
There’s also some great value camping options in Dale and you can check out everything you need to know about this beautiful part of Wales at Visit Pembrokeshire.
Come along and enjoy our Big Day Out at Destination Pembrokeshire and explore the coastline with a little holiday – you might even spot a puffin because they’ve already started arriving. What’s not to like?!
See you soon at our Big Day Out!
Hester.