Appendix H: RYA Assistant Instructors

The Role : The role of the Assistant Instructor is to assist qualified instructors to teach beginners courses. A Dinghy Assistant Instructor may teach up to and including Level 2 - Basic Skills in the National Sailing Scheme and Stage 3 of the Youth Sailing Scheme.  

The training is relevant to any individual interested in encouraging children and adults to learn to sail. Assistant Instructors should work under the supervision of a Dinghy Sailing Senior Instructor, helping qualified RYA Instructors in the early stages of a groups learning.  The Assistant Instructor will work under direct supervision at all times. 

Within the Dinghy Scheme, AI’s may act as helmsmen in the early stages, encouraging the students to take over as soon as possible. When teaching single handers their role may often be that of a helper, rigger, catcher etc. The training given should reflect this. 

Training  

• The training and assessment are conducted by the Centre Principal, Chief Instructor or designate who holds a valid RYA Senior Instructor Certificate  

• It will cover the teaching points related to beginners as detailed in the course content and assessment criteria below 

• The training should last between 20 hours and may be given as a specific Assistant Instructor Course or may be provided on a one-to-one basis over a longer period as "on the job" training.  

The majority of the time should be spent on the water covering how to put across the various teaching points for each session as laid out in the G14 Dinghy Coaching Handbook.

Eligibility: Dinghy Assistant Instructor: Candidates must show a high level of competence. This may be evidenced by holding one of the National Sailing Scheme advanced modules or by other experience.

Assessment Criteria  Following the training students will be assessed on their practical ability with beginners. Successful candidates should be issued with a certificate, their logbook signed and training given recorded.   

Longevity: The AI award is valid only at that centre, and for five years. As part of the centre’s staff training programme, all assistants should be encouraged to gain RYA Instructor qualifications.  If this is not possible, the Centre Principal may re-issue an AI certificate.  

Important Notes : 

• As the training and assessment is limited to the role of assisting qualified instructors and does not include first aid or powerboat handling, Assistant Instructors must never be allowed to work without direct supervision. 

• This is a centre specific qualification and Assistant Instructor qualifications listed by other centres have no validity within the centre.