Student Briefing for On-the-Water Sessions

This briefing is mandatory for all students prior to all on-the-water sessions. It applies equally to RYA sailing and powerboat courses.

Instructors are expected to know the content of this Appendix without undue reference to other documents. They should focus on keeping the briefing short, clear and concise.

Timings

Confirm how long the proposed session is going to last. Explain that if any of the students request to come ashore earlier for whatever reason then the entire course group may be instructed to return to shore.

Sailing Area

Describe the specific area of the lake that the session will take place in. Use a small portable whiteboard and/ or a laminated map of the lake with the area superimposed if required (see Lake 16 map on following page). Check that the students understand where the designated area is by asking them to locate it visually.

Safety

Ensure that the following key points are covered:

1. Beach: Although the beach slopes gently own to the water's edge remind students that the aggregate covering of gravel includes some larger pieces of stone: often partly submerged and/ or in deeper water. These pose potential slip and trip hazards. The extreme north-east corner of the lake immediately beyond the beach has a deep 'sink hole' from the former industrial workings. The vicinity is well signposted but students must avoid launching and beaching in this area at all times. New safety signage added 2026.
2. Pontoons: Highlight that these can become slippery and wet. Also, they tend to be used as roosting sites for the lakes wildfowl population and so invariably accumulate bird excrement. New safety signage added 2026.
3. Slipway: The main concrete slipway opposite the garages is used to launch and recover the powerboats. It is always slippery and there is a deep step at the sunken end. New safety signage added 2026.
4. Footwear: Instructors should ensure that all students are wearing suitable footwear for sailing, launching and recovery tasks. Students must not access the beach, pontoons or slipway without suitable footwear (and a buoyancy aid).
5. Other lake users: Confirm other activities on the lake and any restrictions that these may impose on the planned session.
6. Fishermen: Angling is permitted along the shoreline to the north of the beach and also along the southern extent of the lake between marks 1 and 3. Instructors should note that in recent years there have been additional angling 'pegs' created further along the south-eastern shoreline towards mark 7. Advise students that many fishermen wear camouflaged suits and use tents; so are often difficult to spot. All craft should aim to keep at least 50 metres away from fishermen and their extended lines at all times. Note that the club racing limit is 20 metres: 50 metres provides an adequate 'safety zone' for training purposes if a manoeuvre does not go according to plan!
7. Lee shore launching and recovery: When launching dinghies from a lee shore make sure that the students understand the implications of being blown off course if they choose the wrong launch location? Get them to explain what their launch plan is and what contingency they have factored in if, say, the wind gusts and/ or shifts significantly after launch and they go into irons? Instructors on the Youth courses may need to consider towing the single-handed dinghies out into the lake to avoid them drifting to the north shoreline. Instructors should explain to students the correct way of returning a dinghy to the lee shore and demonstrate it, if necessary, i.e., an off-wind course which describes a wide arc terminating with the boat stationary and head to wind. Also, for double-handed dinghies get students to consider the option of lowering the mainsail and sailing in on the jib alone.
8. Electrical storm risk: Lightning discharges in close proximity to the water pose a significant risk of serious injury, and possible death. All students must be brought ashore immediately by the most expedient means possible in the event of electrical storm conditions.
9. Excess weed growth: Nuttall's waterweed (edodea nuttallii) is an invasive aquatic weed which grows rapidly towards the surface of freshwater lakes where there is a depletion of dissolved oxygen. Left unchecked it can form a densely branched canopy which will impede the movement of craft. Powerboats are highly susceptible to becoming immobile if excess weed fouls the propeller. Lake 16 has historically been susceptible to restrictions on the sailing area due to this invasive species but our licence to use the 'DyoFix Blue' UV-blocker dye helps keep it under control during the summer months. Instructors should inspect the sailing area before launch and highlight any areas of suspected weed accumulation. Students experiencing difficult handling and/ or 'sluggishness' of their dinghy should be shown how to check the rudder and centreboard for possible weed.
10. Man overboard (MOB): The exclamation 'man overboard' refers to a person falling into the water and needing immediate rescue. If this happens (whether in a real emergency or as part of a scheduled session) instructors must describe to students the precise procedure to follow as per RYA guidance. In the event of a student becoming MOB it is important to stress to them to try and stay calm and await rescue: their buoyancy aid will help them to stay afloat (ideally on their back) until rescue from the safety boat. Instructors need to be aware of the risks of cold water shock to the MOB and that recovery time decreases as the water becomes colder. Please explain to students that the term 'MOB' is a long-established maritime phrase and not intended to be offensive or devaluing to women and non-binary people. The RYA advises that 'MOB' continue to be used to raise the alarm and to initiate emergency procedures, but outside emergency situations the inclusive term 'person in water' is preferrable.
11. Capsize: Instructors should explain the RYA recommended 'scoop' method of recovering a double-handed dinghy to students in the classroom before going afloat. If an unplanned capsize does occur then the students must be instructed to remain in contact with the dinghy until the safety boat arrives to assist. Students must be reassured that their mast head flotation device will help mitigate the risk of the boat inverting. Instructors must always stress to students the importance of maintaining communication with each other whilst in the water, and the inherent risks of leaving the boat and attempting to swim to safety. Instructors should also demonstrate to students how to avoid entrapment under the sails by raising an arm to create an air pocket; then moving away from the spars and into an unobstructed area away from the sails. Instructors must stress that for the avoidance of doubt, persons in the water will be rescued by the safety boat and brought ashore immediately if the capsize situation is adjudged to warrant emergency action.
12. Risk of serious head injury: Students must be made aware that the boom of a rigged dinghy poses a significant personal injury risk. They should not stand in close proximity to the boom if the boat is being rigged or derigged on dry land and must keep their heads lowered at all times during tacking and gybing manoeuvres on the water. Instructors should advise students that protective head gear is available for use during the course to mitigate the risk of head injuries. All head injuries must be recorded in the club's Accident Book promptly once First Aid treatment and remediation actions have been taken.

Key Learning Points

Instructors must ensure that all students are aware of the session aim(s) and key learning points before going afloat. Instructors should test student awareness by questioning individuals and clarifying any questions or points raised.

Debriefing

Instructors should always start the debrief with a summary of the positives. Use open questions to initiate student interaction and then use 'tell' 'explain' end 'describe' to help them evaluate their individual performances. Bring in constructive criticism about things which didn't go according to plan but limit this to 3 points per student. Round off the debriefing with collective positives.

Last updated 14:16 on 15 May 2026