Introduction: The Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club is rightly proud of its vibrant and active Cadet Section. Each year we teach over on hundred youngsters to sail or to improve their sailing skills. All our courses are geared to the national standards laid down by the Royal Yachting Association and most of our cadets earn certificates issued by that organization.

Starting Off: We start our cadets off at a basic level, sometimes with adult in the boat with them or sometimes an older cadet. From there they rapidly progress to ‘going solo’, learning more about the practicalities of sailing and enough sailing theory for their progression.

Ages: We like to start our cadets so they become 6 or older before the end of September – and we take them up to 18.

Our Instructors: Our instructors are all highly experienced sailors who have been trained to teach sailing. Many of our instructors hold Royal Yachting Association qualifications; the remainder are trained within their guidelines.

Safely Matters: The youngsters must be able to swim or at least to be confident both on the water and in it. We insist that all cadets and instructors wear buoyancy aids when on or near the water. We would encourage parents to keep away from the waters edge unless they are wearing a buoyancy aid and are involved in teaching. We always have a safety boat on the water with a fully qualified crew. We always have a duty first aider and the majority of our instructors have first aid qualification. We also adhere to RYA guideline on Health and Safety and on Child Protection.

Parents Role: We insist that a parent or guardian remain at Piddinghoe whilst the cadet is being taught so that there is someone who can be responsible if we need to finish early because of weather etc. Many parents help out with the teaching or in the Galley or just sit and enjoy the pleasant surroundings. Also quite a few parents go on to learn to sail themselves.

Galley and Social: We run a Galley on Cadet Nights so that people can get warm (or cool) drinks and hot and cold snacks. The profits go to cadet funds. The cadets also have a social programme, including their own regatta week, and visits to the annual dinghy show. The cadets are also represented on the Club committees.

 Our Aim:

 When:

We meet each Monday night (except for some bank holidays) at 5.30pm and finish at 8pm. The start and finish times are flexible to fit in with school times and bed times. We also have further sessions for cadets to progress in racing on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons.

 Cost:

We charge a nominal £1.00p per week (2006 figures) to cover the general maintenance of the boats (all the instructors are unpaid). But parents or guardians must be club members.

 Clothing:

Cadets will need ordinary wet weather clothing for sailing. They will have to obtain a buoyancy aid to wear on the water and these are usually available second-hand in the Club or new from local chandlers at Cadet Monday evenings.

 Contact: Carolyn Turner on 01 323 898711 or email: see contacts page
 Links:: Back to Newhaven & Seaford Sailing Club home page http://www.nssc.org.uk