One of the prime objectives of the Alderney Sailing Club is to encourage the island’s young generation to take up sailing – and every year the club organises and hosts a series of junior training courses at different levels.
The courses for are part of the RYA’s “GET ONBOARD” Youth Sailing Scheme which are run by qualified instructors.
This year’s first Junior Training Course took place at the beginning of this week and no less than 15 juniors aged 8-10 took part in the 5-day course- Stage 1.
Stage 1 introduces the children to the practical elements of sailing : from rigging a boat, launching & recovering a dinghy and learning to tie an 8-knot and some basic sailing techniques & manoeuvres to recovery from capsize, plus other practical knowledge.
The course was run by three qualified instructors: Rich Cook and Jess Day from Shuttleworth College, Bedfordshire and Alderney instructor Danni Woodnutt.
All of the juniors clearly enjoyed the training and experience and all passed with flying colours. On Friday afternoon 24 July , at the end of the course, the young sailors were presented with their certificates by Alderney Sailing Club Commodore Ellis Downes who congratulated them and expressed his thanks to the instructors.
To view/download or share more photos of the prize presentation, please follow the link below
July 2026: Youngsters learn to rule the waves | Flickr
The next course – Stage 2 – will start next week and most of the youngsters have already signed up. Here’s to plain sailing ! ENDS