Residential sailing course for teen?

[MadamNoo]

Do (16 this summer) wants to do a ‘competent crew’ course this summer - there are quite a few companies that offer 5 or 7 day residential sailing courses and I wondered if anyone had a personal recommendation? I’m looking at one called Boss out of Southampton. We’re SE so Solent would be better than West Country as a base. He’s done a couple of dinghy sailing courses and says he’s happy to go alone not knowing anyone else. THanks in advance!

Have you tried Plas Menai in Wales, I don't know if they take under 18's without an adult present but their training is superb.

Oh thank you, I’ll look it up

Rockery point in. Poole?

My DD is doing exactly this in the summer and from Southampton, look at RONA trust.

Hi, my DD is going with tall ship adventures.

Rockley.

I had a great time dinghy sailing at Plas Menai as a teen but it does look like their cruising courses are for adults. It might be worth looking at UKSA - it's a bit hard to work out whether their courses are ok for under 18s but they are strong on youth development and career training.

I don't think Rockley do competent crew. I suspect that if he is going alone you will need to find places doing specific youth cruising courses. Competent crew will be overnight in yachts with shared accommodation and I suspect most centres will have safeguarding rules in place around unaccompanied minors on adult courses.

Have just checked with DH as he's recently looked into and booked himself onto a competent crew course. Apparently Boss are very cheap, which normally means shared cabins, and lower instructor to student ratio. He's recommending Urban Truant. We're Southampton way.

Back in the last century, I sailed with the Ocean Youth Club. I think it's still going under the name of Ocean Youth Trust.

Yes, as a 16 year old I spent a week with the Oceon Youth Trust. 2 students from every secondary school were chosen and sponsored to go.

They also had normal paid for courses.