As the summer sailing season comes to an end, there is no need for young sailors to stay ashore. The INSS Saturday Junior Club returns this September, giving children and teenagers the opportunity to keep sailing, develop their skills and enjoy time on the water throughout the autumn.
The Junior Club runs during the school term, with Saturday sessions available in both the morning and afternoon. For the September and October term, sailors can choose the session that best suits their weekend schedule.
The programme caters to different ages and abilities, with sailors grouped by age and experience. This means beginners can learn in a relaxed, supportive environment, while more experienced sailors can keep challenging themselves and develop new skills.
Learning the Ropes – Younger sailors develop confidence around boats through practical, hands-on activities as part of the INSS Saturday Junior Club
Younger sailors focus on practical, hands-on activities, building confidence around boats and learning the fundamentals of sailing through fun, engaging sessions. As sailors get older and more experienced, the programme introduces more advanced sailing techniques, boat handling and theory.
Progress can be recorded through the Youth Sailing Scheme, allowing young sailors to track the skills they have developed and work towards recognised stages of progression.
This structured approach means that children can return term after term and continue building on what they have already learned.
Keeping Momentum – The autumn programme allows young sailors to continue progressing after summer courses, with sessions tailored to different ages and levels of experience
While learning to sail is at the heart of Junior Club, the programme offers much more than technical sailing skills.
Time on the water helps young people develop confidence, independence, communication and decision-making skills. Working with other sailors also encourages teamwork and creates a strong social element to the programme.
For many young sailors, the friendships they make at Junior Club become just as important as the sailing itself. The programme provides a community where children can meet other young people who share an interest in being outdoors, learning new skills and enjoying the water.
Sailing Together – The Junior Club combines learning on the water with teamwork and a strong social element, helping young sailors make friends while developing new skills
Sessions are tailored to each group's age and ability, with activities changing as sailors progress.
Depending on their experience, Junior Club sailors may work on skills such as:
- Boat handling and steering
- Rigging and launching
- Tacking and gybing
- Sailing efficiently in different conditions
- Teamwork and communication
- Developing independence on the water
- Sailing theory and knowledge
- Racing and boat-speed skills for more experienced sailors
- The variety keeps sessions engaging while ensuring that sailors continue to develop throughout the term.
For children who have enjoyed an INSS summer sailing course, Junior Club is an ideal way to keep that momentum going.
Rather than having to wait until the following summer to get back on the water, sailors can continue developing their skills throughout the school year. The regular Saturday format also gives instructors more time to work with sailors and tailor sessions to each group's abilities.
Skills in Action – INSS Junior Club sailors can build their boat-handling skills through regular Saturday sessions during the September and October term
With regular Saturday sessions, experienced instructors and a clear pathway for progression, Junior Club gives young sailors the chance to build confidence on the water while having plenty of fun along the way.
The term dates are 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th September, and 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st October. The morning session runs from 10am – 1pm, and the afternoon session runs from 2pm – 5pm.
Bookings can be made here. We look forward to welcoming our Junior Club sailors back on the water this autumn.
