If you’re wondering how to become a sailing instructor, your journey often begins as a junior sailor. At Oxford Sailing Training Trust, we help young people turn their passion for sailing into a professional qualification. From early skills gained on junior courses to completing instructor training, OSTT offers a clear and supportive pathway towards becoming a qualified instructor.
In this blog, we explain how junior sailors can progress step by step and discover how to become a sailing instructor with OSTT.
Starting with Junior Sailing Courses at OSTT
Building Strong Foundations Through Sailing Courses
Most young sailors begin their journey through our Junior Weekend Courses. These sessions introduce children to the basics of sailing in a safe, supportive environment. Our RYA-certified instructors guide them through stages 1 to 4, helping them develop key skills like boat handling, sail trim, and decision-making on the water.
Why Junior Sailing Courses Prepare Future Instructors
The RYA syllabus provides young sailors with the skills and confidence they’ll need later as instructors. Each stage teaches control, awareness, and resilience, all essential when progressing towards instructor qualifications. Sailing regularly at OSTT builds familiarity with coaching styles, helping young sailors visualise themselves in future teaching roles.
Why Young Sailors Choose to Become a Sailing Instructor
Sharing Skills with Others
For many juniors, choosing to become a sailing instructor is about giving something back. After years of learning from instructors, they’re often inspired to share their skills with others. Teaching not only deepens their own understanding of sailing, but also builds leadership, communication, and coaching skills useful throughout life.
Teaching Builds Confidence in Young People
Choosing to become a sailing instructor also offers personal benefits that young people might not expect. Teaching helps build confidence in speaking, leading a group, and managing responsibility. For many, standing in front of a group of students and explaining a manoeuvre for the first time can feel like a big step. However, with practice, this experience develops public speaking skills and leadership qualities that are useful beyond the water.
Learning to teach also deepens a sailor’s understanding of their own skills. Explaining how to tack or gybe makes young instructors think more critically about their own techniques, improving their personal sailing ability as well as their coaching.
At OSTT, we see how young instructors develop independence and pride in their role. Supporting new learners and seeing them succeed gives instructors a sense of purpose and achievement that stays with them for life.
Creating Future Career Opportunities
Sailing instructor qualifications open the door to seasonal work, long-term careers, and exciting travel opportunities. Whether working locally or abroad, being able to teach sailing professionally is a valuable skill. At OSTT, we encourage young people to see instructing as more than a qualification, it’s a chance to gain experience that employers value highly.
How the Young Leaders Programme Helps You Become a Sailing Instructor
At Oxford Sailing Training Trust, our Young Leaders Programme helps prepare older junior sailors for their instructor journey. Participants assist experienced instructors, support younger groups, and gain real-world experience of leading and coaching. This hands-on approach is the ideal preparation for progressing to formal instructor training.
Instructor Courses: Your Route to Becoming a Sailing Instructor
Assistant Instructor Training
Once ready, young people can start their instructor pathway by joining our Instructor Courses. The Assistant Instructor course introduces them to practical teaching methods, safety responsibilities, and session planning. This entry-level qualification allows them to support teaching activities while learning from experienced instructors.
Dinghy Instructor Qualification: The Next Step
After completing the Assistant Instructor course, young sailors can progress to the full Dinghy Instructor qualification. This course develops their confidence in leading sessions, managing groups, and teaching technical sailing skills. Gaining this RYA-accredited qualification allows them to work professionally at recognised centres both in the UK and internationally.
Continuing Development After Instructor Training
Choosing to become a sailing instructor is not the end of the journey. OSTT supports instructors with continued development, opportunities for volunteering, and experience coaching at events. Many return each year to help lead our Junior Weekend Courses, gaining valuable professional skills.
Why Choose OSTT to Become a Sailing Instructor?
Professional Training in a Supportive Setting
At Oxford Sailing Training Trust, we pride ourselves on offering a professional but friendly training environment. Many of our instructors started as juniors themselves, creating a community that supports young people as they progress from student to instructor.
Clear Pathway and Real Experience
From first lessons to teaching your own group, OSTT offers a clear progression route. Our Young Leaders Programme and Instructor Courses work together to ensure every future instructor gains real experience and recognised qualifications.
Work Experience and Volunteering Opportunities
Through volunteering at events and supporting training sessions, young sailors build practical experience and confidence. This not only helps when progressing through instructor training, but also enhances their CVs and university applications.
Skills You Gain When You Become a Sailing Instructor
Choosing to become a sailing instructor builds key skills that go beyond the sailing world:
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Leadership and public speaking
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Group management and communication
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Problem-solving and quick decision-making
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Organisational and planning skills
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Responsibility for the safety and welfare of others
These skills are highly valued in both academic and professional settings, making instructor training a rewarding investment in personal development.
Real Stories: From Junior Sailor to Instructor
At OSTT, many of our instructors started as junior sailors in our own courses. Watching them develop from beginners into confident instructors highlights how achievable this journey is. Their success stories show young sailors that with the right support, becoming a sailing instructor is within reach.
Ready to Become a Sailing Instructor?
If your child dreams of turning their passion for sailing into a professional qualification, Oxford Sailing Training Trust can help them achieve it. From beginner Junior Weekend Courses to our structured Instructor Courses, every stage of their journey is supported.
Explore how to become a sailing instructor at OSTT today, and let their adventure begin.
