Dinghy Sailing

What is a dinghy sailing permit? (Scout Assoc Definition)

The adventurous activity permit scheme is designed to ensure that only people with the relevant skills and experience lead adventurous activities for the young people. Therefore, all activities classed as adventurous can only be led by someone holding the appropriate permit.

Additionally, young people (under 18) can take part in adventurous activities for themselves with personal activity permits. A Dinghy Sailing permit is required for all Dinghy Sailing taking place except in class C water. Definitions of water classifications can be found in POR.

  • The term Dinghy Sailing refers sailing boats which have no built in accommodation or fixed keels, and are not designed to provide stability to the vessel via its weight. They will have movable centreboards or daggerboards

  • A personal permit requires everyone in the boat to have a valid permit for the activity

  • A Lead permit may restrict you to “helm own boat” which means just that, you take the helm of your boat and sail it with or without a crew.

  • Otherwise, a lead permit allows you to have someone else sail the boat you are in, and possibly depending on permit another or several boats while you are on the water. RYA Dinghy instructors can normally have a permit to the same level as RYA Dinghy instructor i.e. Run a session with up to 9 people in double handers or 6 people in single handed boats

  • A Supervise permit allows you to designate someone without a permit to sail a boat or lead/instruct a group/s (up to 3 groups) of boats. You don’t have to be afloat but have to be ready to go on the water with a safety boat launched and ready to go and normally in radio contact or similar.

if you are a DI/SI, you may also need a Powerboat permit, holding a Dinghy lead/supervise permit does not allow you to drive a powerboat!

General Advice

  • Using mast head floats with beginners is good practice

  • Think carefully about helmets, they are defiantly not "required" but in some circumstances may be a good choice. Scout FAQ . If I was running a taster session at a county camp where they are only on the water for 30 mins, for instance I would probably go with helmets, for teaching my own scouts to sail... I haven't yet!

  • Think about your safetyboat/coach boat use, is it the most appropriate way to teach the session? have you got a permit for the powerboat?