Any questions? Call or send an email.Â
- +971 (0)4 3941669
- sailingadmin@doscuae.com
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) was set up in 1875, and has become world renowned for its training schemes. There are currently more than 2,400 RYA Training centres worldwide, in more than 58 countries.
The Youth and Adult schemes are all encompassing, for everyone from complete novices to the highest level of racing. It’s focus is to be accessible and more importantly safe, to raise the standards of boating by promoting safe practices.
As an RYA recognized training centre, we are held to the standards of the RYA and all our instructors must be qualified by the RYA. This ensures that training and equipment is kept to a very high standard.
We are very lucky to have a huge range of equipment available from 2.4m Optimists to 4.9m RS Ventures, and even a foiling (flying!) Waszp, so we can ensure that we provide the ideal boat no matter the standard of sailor.Â
Â
The RYA Schemes are simple to follow; start at Stage 1 (youth) or Level 1 (adult) and progress from there. Each scheme is geared towards the ideal learning styles for the age groups, but follow the same syllabus overall.Â
Â
We offer courses on the weekdays and weekends to help you find a suitable time to join us – youth weekday slots are naturally after school. Private lessons are also available on weekdays for those who would rather have 1:1 tuition, or spend some time focussing on specific skills.Â
Â
There are also practice groups which we heavily recommend joining between courses to consolidate your skills so you are fully ready for the next stage/level, as each course expects you to have mastered the skills from the previous level. These practice clubs are available for both adult and youth groups.Â
Youth Dinghy

Adult dinghy

SAILING COURSES FOR youth and juniors
RYA Learn to sail
Our weekend Learn to Sail courses run by term, with beginners having the choice of Saturday or Sunday mornings
to utilize the lighter winds and build confidence. RYA Stage 1 & 2 will be taught, which covers the basics of sailing
and introduces the skills needed to progress into a confident small boat sailor.
Course Prerequisites: Water confident
Duration: 3 hours, every Saturday or Sunday of the term.
Minimum Age: 6
Ability after the course: RYA Stage 1 or 2 (as appropriate)
Our weekend Learn to Sail courses run by term, with intermediates having the choice of Saturday or Sunday afternoons to utilize the sea breeze and build confidence. RYA Stage 3 & 4 will be taught, covering more advanced skills such as the 5 Essentials, coming alongside, and Man Overboard recovery.
Course Prerequisites: RYA Stage 2
Duration: 3 hours, every Saturday or Sunday of the term.
Minimum Age: 8
Ability after the course: RYA Stage 3 or 4 (as appropriate)
Book NowOur weekend Learn to Sail courses run by term, with the advanced group running on Saturday or Sunday afternoonsto utilize the sea breeze. A variety of the RYA Advanced modules will be taught, with the aim of developing young sailors towards performance dinghies and the instructor pathway.
Course Prerequisites: RYA Stage 4
Duration: 3 hours, every Saturday of the term.
Ability after the course: Deeper understanding and practical ability to use more advanced equipment and skills.
Book NowShort courses
This one day session allows kids to have time on the water to decide if sailing is something they are interested in.
Course Prerequisites: Water confident
Duration: 3 hours
Minimum Age: 6
Ability after the course: Basic understanding of boat controls
Youth Practice Club is a great opportunity for all kids who have completed their RYA Stage 1 to practice and
consolidate their sailing skills. This will build confidence for young sailors and help them get ready for their next stage.
During the sessions, there will be games, challenges, races, and many more fun activities to practice their skills
and improve water confidence.
Course Prerequisites: Stage 1
Duration: 3 hours
weekly after school courses
The first course in the Youth Sailing Scheme will build confidence in dinghies, by covering the basic aspects of sailing.
Young sailors can expect to learn how to steer, control the sail, tacking, and some background knowledge including parts of the boat.
Course Prerequisites: Water confident
Minimum Age: 6
Ability after the course: Able to steer and understand basic principles
Book NowThis course builds on the skills learnt in Stage 1, refining the tack and introducing sailing towards and away from the wind.
Further background knowledge is developed, covering topics such as rules of the road, ropework, and parts of the sail.
Course Prerequisites: RYA Stage 1
Minimum Age: 7
Ability after course: Able to sail upwind, downwind, and tack confidently
Book NowUpwind and downwind skills are further developed, so sailors can sail in any direction they choose confidently. Simple maneuvers like gybing are introduced to refine boat control. More detailed sailing theory is also covered.
Course Prerequisites: RYA Stage 2 Â
Minimum Age: 8Â
Ability after the course: Confidently sail in all directions, perform speed control based maneuvers safely.Â
SAILING COURSES FOR ADULTS
Weekend Courses
WEEKDAY COURSES​
RYA COURSES
This course provides a introduction to sailing for beginners. By the end of the course, you will have a basic understanding of dinghy handling techniques and background knowledge. Â
You will be using user friendly dinghies, that will allow you to learn the basic skills necessary for sailing.
Course Prerequisites: Water confidentÂ
Duration: 2 daysÂ
Minimum Age: 14Â
Ability after the course: Able to sail in light winds under supervisionÂ
Costs:
- Member: AED 1880
- Visitors: AED 2350
Â
On completion of this course, you will have a better knowledge of sailing. The level 1 skills will be refined, and new skills such as Man Over Board, will be introduced to promote safety on the water. Â
Dinghies can be hired for free-sailing once you have achieved your Level 2 certificate. Â
Course Prerequisites: RYA Level 1Â Â
Duration: 2 days Â
Ability after the course: Confidently sail in moderate windsÂ
Costs:
- Member: AED 1880
- Visitors: AED 2350
Â
This course seeks to bridge the gap between Start Sailing, Basic Skills, and the Advanced modules by offering an introduction to the different modules, allowing sailors to select more easily their preferred route within the sport.
Better Sailing allows for an opportunity to practice and consolidate sailing technique and independent sailing.
Course Prerequisites: RYA Level 2
Duration: 2 days
Ability after the course: Confident sailing a range of dinghies in various wind conditions
Costs:
- Member: AED 1880
- Visitors: AED 2350
Â
DEVELOPMENT COURSES
This is all about getting on the water and practicing your skills in a supported, social environment. We will help you every step of the way, with assistance in rigging, launching, and coaching on the water.
Course Prerequisites: RYA Level 1
Duration: 3 hours
Book NowWEEKDAY COURSES​
Start your day right with breakfast and coffee (or tea!) at DOSC, followed by a supported sailing session. If the afternoon is your preference, then Après Club is there for you! Sailing, followed by a pre-booked social table with snacks provided.
This is all about getting on the water and practicing your skills, in a supported, social environment. We shall help you every step of the way, with assistance rigging, launching, and coaching on the water.
Course Prerequisites: RYA Level 1
Duration: 2 hours
Book NowOur team of fantastic instructors are available for private lessons, able to teach you anything from the basic controls to trapezing with spinnakers!
We have availability Monday – Friday, either 10:00 – 12:00 or 13:00 – 15:00. If these aren’t quite suitable, please let us know and we shall work to fit you in.
To book or for more information, please email us at sailingadmin@doscuae.com .
12x Optimist
The racing fleet for juniors, this simple boat has been around since 1947 and is still one of the most competitive racing fleets. It has a small sail which is ideal for the youngest kids to learn in.
12x RS Tera
Our new fleet, this is focused on juniors aged 6-16 with 3 different rigs to stay in control no matter the wind conditions. It has a plastic hull so it’s very durable, and designed to progress sailing skills quickly.
18x RS Zest
As a beginner boat, it’s stable and simple to rig. The plastic hull is difficult to damage, and keeps to the basics to ensure the best learning experience.
6x RS Feva
With a similar hull shape to the Tera, but slightly longer than a Zest, this is a double handed junior racing class or a rather fun dinghy for single handed adult, particularly with the spinnaker!
6x RS Venture
A big boat comfortable carrying up to 7 people, it’s a great cruising boat with excellent stability but also light enough to be an entertaining racer.
2x Laser Vago
This entry level high performance dinghy has a trapeze and spinnaker, needing some more advanced skills to sail her well. The plastic hull takes the stress out of launching and landing this trickier boat.
2x 29er
A big youth double handed racing class, it is lightweight to promote higher speeds and planing. You’ll need balance for this boat, along with great trapezing skill!
16x Laser 1 (ILCA)
An Olympic racing class, the Laser is great no matter whether you’re racing or not. 3 sail sizes to choose from, comfortable seating position, and a low entry level but high skill ceiling ensure that progression is continuous.
1x Waszp
The one design racing foiler, this boat demands quick reactions and excellent skills to get it going. Once is going though… you’ll never want to be in the water again, simply above it!