Two sailors in a small boat in rough waters

RYA Seamanship Skills (Level 4)

Enhance your sailing abilities and gain confidence on the water with our RYA Seamanship Skills course. Designed for sailors at Level 3 – Better Sailing standard, this course focuses on developing practical skills to handle a dinghy in various conditions.

About the course

This 2 day course builds on your existing knowledge to help you sail safely and confidently in a variety of conditions. Under the guidance of our experienced instructors, you'll develop boat handling and problem-solving skills, including:

  • sailing without a rudder
  • sailing without a centreboard
  • righting an inverted dinghy
  • launching and recovering boats in different circumstances
  • stopping and anchoring safely
  • reducing sail
  • recovering a person overboard

Dinghy Sailing courses are taught on a maximum ratio of 1 instructor to 9 students.

Required experience 

To join this course we recommend that you have completed the RYA Dinghy Level 3 - Better Sailing course. 

If you're unsure whether this course is right for you, please contact our Watersports Team:

Phone: +44 (0)23 8059 0110

Email: watersports@soton.ac.uk

What we provide

  • boats
  • buoyancy aids
  • wetsuits
  • certificates upon successful completion

Logbooks are available to purchase.

Dates and times

This 2 day course runs from 9am to 5pm on the following dates:

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August 2026

Prices

Our courses are available to everyone, although Southampton Sport members can book at a discounted rate.

Membership type

Cost

Membership type

:

Southampton Sports Membership

Cost

:

£149.63

Membership type

:

Non member

Cost

:

£199.50

Booking a course

Book your course online

You can also:

We do not accept American Express card payments.

Cancelling or rescheduling a course

You can cancel or reschedule a booking by contacting the Jubilee Sports Centre. Your options depend on how much notice you give us. Notice periods are based on the date of your booking, not on the start time.

Notice given

Refund options

Notice given

:

7 days or more

Refund options

:

Full refund or reschedule to another date

Notice given

:

Between 48 hours and 7 days

Refund options

:

Full refund if you present a doctor’s note stating why you can't complete your booking

Notice given

:

Less than 48 hours

Refund options

:

No refund available

When we might cancel your booking

We might need to cancel a booking if:

  • the weather means we cannot safely run a course
  • staff members are sick and their absence cannot be covered
  • we cannot meet our minimum student-instructor ratio

If we need to cancel your booking, we’ll always try to give you at least 24 hours' notice. We’ll also offer to reschedule your booking.

Location