CHILDRENS SAIL TRAINING
Children’s sailing lessons are available for Member’s only aged 6 and above. As a guideline, age’s 6 – 11 sail in Optibats and Optimists whilst ages 11+ learn and sail either, Toppers, Pico’s or Lasers. The basis to which boat a child sails is predominantly down to their weight.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- DOSC Members
- Age 6+
- Children should be water confident whilst wearing a buoyancy aid.
What we offer;
LEARNING TO SAIL ( aka CADET CLUB)
There are 3 Stages to the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme.
- STAGE ONE~ Basic Sailing (e.g Paddling, Helming, Reaching, Tacking, Parts of the Boat)
- STAGE TWO*~ Intermediate (eg Sailing Upwind, Speed Control, Parts of the Sail, Rules of the Road)
- STAGE THREE*~ Advanced (eg Rig Independently, Sail Theory, Gybing, Man Overboard Recovery)
* Students with Sailing Experience outside the RYA Scheme can be taken for an assessment and be placed in an appropriate group.
There is a waiting list for the above courses, especially for Stage One.
To include your child on the waiting list, send an email with their Name, Age, Sailing Experience and a contact number and email to sailingadmin@doscuae.com alternatively call the Sailing Department on 04 394 1669 Ext 1007 or come in person and speak to our sailing co-ordinator who will be happy to answer any of your questions.
There is the possibility of taking private lessons, subject to availability, again, for more info, contact the Sailing Dept
POST STAGE THREE
On completion of Stage Three, our sailor is now competent enough to sail by themselves and hence, are entitled and encouraged to hire boats from the Sailing Department outside of lessons, to practice their skills! Those showing enthusiasm and aptitude may be invited to participate in Thursday Race Training sessions in one of our race squads, as detailed below.
RACE TRAINING & INTERNATIONAL COACHING
Race Training for the DOSC Racing Squads is held on Thursday after school (15:30 – 17:30). The aim is to provide coaching and support for Sailors who have passed Stage Three and are getting into racing. This is a session very focused on racing and spaces are offered by invitation only. Sailors of all DOSC fleets are expected to participate in club races and where possible travel to events in the UAE.
The club also endeavors to host international coaches during some holidays within the year to provide world class coaching for sailors in the Red and Blue fleets.
THE SQUADS!
Green Fleet
Green Fleet is a special fleet for rookie racers and aimed at encouraging novices to start racing. Green fleet members can be any age, and may sail in the green fleet during their first year of racing, although they may be encouraged to move on sooner. On completion of their first club race they will be awarded a 'Green Fleet' certificate and be entitled to wear the green 'DOSC Racing Team' T-shirt and fly a green ribbon from their mast.
Red Fleet
The Red Fleet is for intermediate sailors. This fleet is aimed at those sailors who wish to build on their basic racing skills and, as well as club racing, wish to take part in the larger regattas at other venues within the UAE. Any sailor who has represented DOSC by competing in a race in the main fleet (not the beginners green fleet) at an away venue within the UAE will receive a Red Fleet certificate, be entitled to wear the red 'DOSC Racing Team' T - Shirt and fly a red ribbon from their mast.
Blue Fleet
The Blue Fleet are the most experienced racers at DOSC and as such are expected to set an example and assist any of the less experienced sailors. They are the people to go to when you have a question about racing, or need help fine tuning your boat. They are sailors who have represented DOSC overseas, in the main fleet, at National championship level or beyond. They may wear the blue 'DOSC Racing Team' T - Shirts and fly a blue ribbon from the mast of any class of boat in which they have raced in a qualifying competition.