MOUNT BATTEN CENTRE PLYMOUTH DEVON
Tel: 01752 404 567
About Us | Courses | Education | Accommodation | Restaurant & Bar | Conferencing | Corporate | Special Offers | Membership | Events | Storage | For Sale | Careers | Contact | Links

ADULT COURSES

Courses & Activities for Adults RYA NATIONAL DINGHY SAILING SCHEME The RYA National Sailing scheme is an inspiring way to learn and develop your practical skills in a safe environment. Courses can run over a 2-day or a five-day period, allowing you to maximise the use of a weekend or enjoy a week's holiday sailing on Plymouth Sound. RYA Dinghy Start Sailing (Level One) A two day introduction to the joys of dinghy sailing. Under the guidance of a RYA instructor you will develop the basic skills required to successfully sail a dinghy solo. RYA Dinghy Basic Skills (Level Two) An opportunity to refine the skills learnt during a level 1 course or equivalent. During the 2-day course you will get the opportunity to sail a variety of boats, both single handers and double handers. Both your tidal and wind awareness will improve allowing you to be able to make your own seamanship decisions. The holder of a level 2 certificate is recognised nationally as an individual who can sail competently in moderate conditions. RYA Dinghy Level 1 + 2 Combined Combine the level 1 and 2 courses over a five day block and give yourself the opportunity to safely explore the waters within Plymouth Sound. During this course you will try some racing, take part in a day sail and try a selection of boats. This will provide you with a very rounded introduction to dinghy sailing and give you a good idea of which direction to take the sport in next. RYA Seamanship Skills Using a selection of double handed boats use this course to improve your general boat handling. The skills practiced will include rudderless sailing, reefing afloat, towing, wind against tide manoeuvres and man over board plus a range of other skills bias towards improving your tidal and wind awareness. RYA Spinnaker Coaching Add another dimension to your sailing and learn how to use and tame the spinnaker. This course can be done in your own boat or using one of the many spinnaker dinghies at the centre. We can provide both Asymmetric and Symmetric Spinnaker training. RYA Day Sailing Learn about basic navigation and pilotage and put these skills into practice as you explore the many options Plymouth Sound has to offer a small boat. The first morning will be spent improving your boat handling techniques and introducing skills like anchoring and picking up mooring buoys. In the afternoon you will set sail on a short passage around the Sound. On day two you will go for a day sail enjoying lunch away from the centre. RYA Start Racing A must for any aspiring racer! You will learn about every aspect of racing and will have the opportunity to put these skills into practice on the water. This course is ideal for those who want to improve at club level or learn about this exciting aspect of the sport. RYA Performance Sailing Learn how to tune and handle high performance boats. During this course you will be coached in advanced boat handling techniques using boats that will allow you to tune their sail and rig controls to the conditions and thus help you improve your boat speed across the water. It is a centre recommendation that you have knowledge of how to use a spinnaker before attending this course. KEELBOATS AND SPORTSBOATS Utilising our fleet of J80's and Hawk 20's we offer an extensive range of Keelboat and Sportsboat training options, incorporating the RYA training schemes, family away days and race development training. RYA Keelboat Start Sailing (Level 1) Enjoy a two-day introduction into the basics of sailing. Providing you with skills to have your first solo sail. RYA Keelboat Developing Basic Skills (Level 2) This course can be used to follow on from the level 1 or used by a level 2 dinghy sailor to gain a keelboat conversion. You will concentrate on developing your boat handling skills, seamanship skills, reefing, man overboard, anchoring and basic boat handling under engine. RYA NATIONAL POWERBOAT SCHEME The National Powerboat Scheme is applicable to sportsboats, RIBs, dories and launches, and other boats that do not normally provide accommodation or cooking facilities. The lower age limit for RYA powerboat courses is 12 years but it is not recommended that under 16s be left in charge of a powerboat without adult supervision. Certificates for those under 16 will be endorsed. All the courses in the scheme can be completed in just two days and are taught by qualified RYA Powerboat Instructors. We use the RYA recommended 3:1 student to instructor ratio. RYA Powerboat Level 2 (minimum age 12) This course is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence (for driving abroad). Covers launch/landing, mooring, coming alongside, safety/emergencies, high speed manoeuvres, anchoring, charts and compass, types of boat and drive, man overboard, buoyage, disabled craft and maintenance. RYA Safety Boat Award (minimum age 16) For providing safety cover. Includes single/multiple towing, recovering capsized boats, windsurfers and kayaks, lee shore recovery, working at regattas and suitability of craft. RYA Intermediate Powerboat For those who have completed a level 2 course and want to extend their knowledge and confidence in boat handling and navigation skills. The course will include boat handling skills, traditional and GPS navigation techniques and passage planning. Students will plan and carry out an extended daytime passage. RYA Advanced Powerboat This is a high level course which aims to teach the safe driving of planing powerboats day and night. The course will cover boat handling, seamanship, pilotage and navigation. Candidates should be competent to the standard of the RYA Intermediate powerboat certificate and have knowledge of navigation and chart work to Day Skipper shore based certificate. A first aid qualification and VHF operators certificate are also required. If you are unsure about your suitability for this course please contact us to discuss. Powerboat Experience For those wishing to practice their skills or just wanting a fun day on the water, we can accommodate needs be it by the day or by the hour. RYA NATIONAL WINDSURFING SCHEME All the courses in the scheme can be completed in just two days and are taught by qualified RYA Windsurf Instructors. This is a challenging sport, which provides high satisfaction once mastered. RYA Start Windsurfing This is the first course in the RYA National Windsurfing Scheme. There are no prerequisites to start windsurfing other than a degree of water confidence. This two day introduction covers the skills of rigging, upwind and downwind sailing, equipment, weather, tides and safe practice. RYA Intermediate Windsurfing (non-planing) Prerequisites for this course are a degree of confidence in sailing on all points in light winds. This will usually require you to have practiced the level 1 skills before moving on. You will cover beach starts, faster tacking, gybing, introduction to harness work, improved stance and sailing in stronger winds. BRITISH CANOE UNION KAYAK AWARDS The British Canoe Union is the lead body for canoeing and kayaking in the UK. One of the best ways to get to know what kayaking has to offer is on a specialist course. The BCU offer a series of 'star' tests for you to track your performance and improve your kayaking skills. Instructed by fully qualified BCU coaches, the Mount Batten Centre can get you started on the Star Test trail. The Centre requires a minimum age of 8 years for attendance on these courses. BCU 1 Star Kayak / Canoe Award This two day introductory course is for beginners or those with limited experience. You will be taught the basic skills of forward and reverse paddling, turning, and basic safety at sea techniques, in these closed cockpit craft. CLIMBING Introduction to Climbing A great introduction, enabling you to climb confidently with a partner indoor and out. Equipment will be provided and you should leave with a basic knowledge on how to put on a harness, tie on and belaying. Sunday Hire Club From April Onwards we are offering the chance for sailors to enjoy regular sailing every Sunday afternoon. Bookings must be made at least a week in advance. Meet at the centre for a safety briefing before the session, then while afloat in a designated sailing area you will be provided with safety cover. Helms must hold RYA Level 2 or above.