RYA Stage 3 (4 day course)

Stage 3 teaches rigging, launching and sailing in any direction. Each child will be sailing in their own Topper. Please provide your child with a Topper in good working order. Although Toppers were originally rigged with an aft main sheet, a centre main is now essential (and easily changed).

Assumed knowledge: Up to and including the Stage 2 course and more importantly, further sailing experience. Please be prepared to show evidence of experience in log books, if requested.

Duration: 4 days (Monday to Thursday inclusive)

Minimum age: 8 years as of the course start date

Course content: Rigging, launching and recovery, sailing techniques, capsize recovery, sailing theory

Ability after course: Able to launch and sail a dinghy around a triangle in moderate conditions

Toppers will be subjected to a rigorous boat check before they are allowed on the water. A full boat checklist has been posted under the course information page. Please make sure all Toppers have a boom sleeve (to prevent getting the main sheet around their neck when tacking), the main block needs a ratchet, a non swivelling block on the traveller or else the main sheet gets twisted and an effective daggerboard bungee cord (to prevent the daggerboard falling out in capsizes).

Tide times

Tide data for Brancaster

Last updated 3:29pm on 16 January 2025