Learning to Sail at Polkerris
Learning to sail is like nothing else; using nature to move across the water, being encompassed by the environment, understanding the science of sailing, feeling free, happy and alive.
Whether you are looking to learn to sail from scratch, improve your sailing skills, hone your technique, gain new qualifications or you are dreaming of sailing across the channel, we can help you take your next steps.
Polkerris Beach is an RYA Recognised training centre: your assurance that we are equipped and managed to provide you with quality and safe experiences.
We provide all equipment, including a full wetsuit and buoyancy aid, and have changing room facilities with showers, a cafe and shop all on site.
Sailing Lesson
A perfect way to sample sailing, feel the wind in your hair and explore St. Austell Bay. Your lesson can be tailored to suit your needs and what you want to get out of the session.
Please note that all sailing lessons will take place in single handed Pico boats. The instructor will be in a powerboat.
Duration: 2hr
Requirements: No experience necessary
Age: 8+
Price: 1:1 £75 or 1:2/3 £60 per person
RYA Stage 1 Youth Sailing Course
A fun introduction to sailing that teaches the basics of getting on the water, learning how to steer, the parts of the boat along with basic sailing skills and principles.
Duration: Typically 2 mornings or afternoons
Requirements: No experience necessary
Age: 8 - 15
Price: £160 per person (minimum two people)
1:1 £260
RYA Stage 2 Youth Sailing Course
This course builds on skills and confidence acquired at Stage 1, including how to turn the boat around, control its speed, avoid collisions and tie some useful knots.
Duration: Typically 2 mornings or afternoons
Requirements: Ability to Stage 1 standard
Age: 8 - 15
Price: £160 per person (minimum two people)
1:1 £260
RYA Stage 3 Youth Sailing Course
Designed to turn you into a competent dinghy sailor this course covers how to rig, launch and recover a boat, capsizing and more detailed sailing theory. You'll learn how to sail around a triangle and handle a boat in moderate conditions. Sign off requires demonstrating sailing ability without direct assistance.
Duration: Typically 2 mornings or afternoons
Requirements: Ability to Stage 2 standard
Age: 8 - 15
Price: £160 per person (minimum two people)
1:1 £260
RYA Stage 4 Youth Sailing Course
Stage 4 extends your ability to make decisions in a boat and to sail a 2-person boat. After the course you'll know how to control boats with more precision and in a range of conditions, wind strengths and directions. You'll also have a good understanding of safety, weather and tides. Stage 4 is largely about experience, with sign off often requiring additional regular demonstration of sailing ability alongside the hours covered by the course.
Duration: Typically 2 mornings or afternoons
Requirements: Ability to Stage 3 standard plus regular sailing experience
Age: 8 - 15
Price: £160 per person (minimum two people)
1:1 £260
RYA Level 1 Adult Start Sailing Course
This courses introduces you to the sport of sailing and covers all you need to know to get afloat in light winds under supervision. You will learn how to sail in all directions, as well as developing an awareness of launching and recovery.
Duration: 2 days
Requirements: No experience necessary
Age: 16 +
Price: 1:1 £260 or 1:2 £160 per person
RYA Level 2 Adult Basic Skills Sailing Course
This course sets out the foundations of sailing. By the end of the course, you will be a competent sailor in light winds. You will learn how to rig a boat, launch, land and develop your ability to sail in all directions. Capsize recovery and essential safety knowledge is also covered.
Duration: 2 days
Requirements: Sailing skills to Level 1 standard
Age: 16 +
Price:1:1 £260 or 1:2 £160 per person
RYA Level 3 Adult Better Sailing Course
This course is designed to develop your confidence in sailing skills and techniques, as well as get you ready to progress onto advanced modules. If your opportunities to sail are infrequent this course is an ideal refresher. Completion of this course is often the point at which people buy a boat or join a sailing club.
Requirements: Sailing skills to Level 2 standard
Age: 16 +
Price: 1:1 £260 or 1:2 £160 per person
Seamanship Skills
This course aims to develop your sailing skill so that you can sail confidently in a wide range of conditions and deal with situations and problems as they arise. You will learn how to launch and recover the boat in different circumstances, how to stop, reduce sail, recover a man overboard and pick up a mooring. It also covers topics that impact sailing, including tides and weather.
Requirements: A minimum sailing ability of Level 3 for adults for adults or Stage 4 for under 16s plus regular sailing experience
