Kids Windsurfing near Rye East Sussex
Rye Watersports has been a Royal Yachting Association centre since 1986 and we give windsurfing lessons to children from the age of 8. We are based on the Kent and Sussex border near Camber Sands. which is only a 50 minute drive from Tunbridge Wells, and easy to get to by road or rail from all areas of Kent, Sussex and Surrey.
Our lake is perfect for children to learn to windsurf as they feel safe within a confined water area rather than the open sea. All lessons are run over two consecutive days from 10.00a.m to 4.00p.m.
RYA Stage 1 – £185.00
- 2 day course 6 hrs each day
- Dry land simulator session
- Sailing across the wind
- RYA certificate on completion
All fun no theory, a great introduction to this exciting sport that children will love. The windsurfing lesson starts on a dry land simulator where pupils learn the basics without getting wet! Once on the water the course progresses to sailing across the wind. The instructor is always close at hand to give constant guidance and to instil pupils with confidence.
To be awarded the Stage 1 certificate, students should be able to sail to a chosen point on the water and return to where they started from (in light winds).
RYA Stage 2 – £185.00
- 2 day course 6 hrs each day
- Tacks and gybes
- Sailing towards and away from the wind
- Windsurfing on all points of sailing
- Theory on wind direction and safety
- RYA certificate on completion
Progression to learning tacks and gybes, and sailing towards and away from the wind are all elements of the level 2 course. Throughout the two days skills are built upon so children are able to progress at their own pace. All lessons have a short theory session so children understand about wind direction and safety. We recommend children practice before going onto their RYA stage 3. Once children have completed stage 2 they can book onto our Wednesday windsurfing club.
RYA Stage 3 – £185.00
- 2 day course 6 hrs each day
- How to use a harness
- Beach starts
- Stance and control in stronger winds
- RYA certificate on completion
Stage 3 is where the excitement really starts. Fast forward coaching is used to introduce beachstarting, harness technique and improve tacking and gybing in stronger winds. As a result, by the end of this course, students should be able to sail on all points of sailing in a variety of conditions, knowing when to tack and gybe, beachstart and use the harness to a basic standard. If conditions allow, we also teach lots of freestyle tricks and get pupils blasting in stronger winds. Nose sinks, helicopter tacks and if requested race techniques can be covered.
RYA Stage 4 – £185.00
- 2 day course 6 hrs each day
- Get planing and basic footstrap technique
- Improve on all techniques (tacking, gybing & harness)
- RYA certificate on completion
This lesson improves on all the techniques you have learnt over the previous RYA courses: Ideally taught in stronger winds we will teach you how to get into the footstraps and doing that perfect gybe, using your harness to maximum effect. Advanced skills can take a lot of practice, but after your two day course you’ll be well on the way to achieving these goals. Once completing stage 4, a sailor should move onto the advanced modules of the RYA National Scheme.
Windsurf Club – £35.00
- Every Wednesday during school holidays
- £35.00 per session including hire and coaching
- For children who have completed RYA Stage 1 or above
Q & A
Some common questions we often receive answered here.