Please have a read of the Sailing Booklet: FFYSBooklet2015v2
Sailing takes place at Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club on Saturday mornings between May and October where we join up with Felixstowe Ferry Youth Sailing group. Hadleigh Sea Scouts have three Wayfarer dinghies at the Ferry which we use on Saturdays to compliment the other boats in the Youth Sailing fleet. I am allowed to take two Sea Scouts to join the Beginner / Improver group and get hands-on experience of sailing. It is great fun and very safe. Those who wish to go more often can join the Youth Sailing group and this will allow them to sail every Saturday!
So what is FFYS?
FFYS is the youth section of the Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club and was set up specifically to teach young people, between the ages of 11 and 18, how to sail dinghies in an enjoyable and challenging yet safe environment. In 2001 we gained Charitable Status and are now registered with the Charity Commission. We are also an RYA Registered Training Establishment, and are inspected every year to ensure that our safety, teaching, equipment and procedures are up to the required standards.
Youth Sailing at Felixstowe Ferry was originally started by 1st Felixstowe Sea Scouts, and scouts from this and other groups still sail with us today.
What will I do if I join FFYS?
You will learn how to sail dinghies and lots more about them. To start with you will sail with one of our instructors before moving on to crew for some of the other more experienced students. After suitable training you’ll find yourself sailing solo in one of our popular Laser Picos or with your own crew in a RS Feva!
Is it all teaching and lectures?
Far from it! Our aim is to have fun whilst learning (and that includes the instructors!) and we believe the best way to learn is by experience. Short briefing sessions about where we’re going to sail, what we’re going to do, and who will be in which boats take place at the start of each session so everyone knows what’s going to happen. If the weather is bad we’ll run a reduced programme and you’ll get a chance to show off your newly acquired sailing knowledge as we cover some of the theory required for the RYA qualifications.
Where will we sail?
This all depends on the tide and weather but generally we’ll either sail up the River Deben towards Ramsholt or out to sea in front of Bawdsey Manor or ‘The Dip’.
Is it safe?
Safety is our prime consideration at all times. To start with no student will be allowed on the water unless they are wearing an approved life jacket or buoyancy aid. In addition we always have support boats in attendance whenever and wherever we sail. These are manned by qualified safety-boat drivers who can assist should you need any help. We have a high number of RYA qualified instructors present at all our training sessions so the student/instructor ratio is kept low.
(We also have a written Child Protection policy, a designated Child Protection Officer and all our instructors and helpers have enhanced Criminal Records Bureau checks)
Regards
Bosun
(John Turnbull 01473823791)
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