Cadet Week 2025
11th to 15th August 2025
Open to all cadets members and non members aged 8 to 17, there is something for everyone. Come along and join in the fun on and off the water, a week your child will always remember.
Could you sponsor Cadet week 2025? please email heidi@wfyc.uk
Could you sponsor Cadet week 2025? please email heidi@wfyc.uk
WFYC cadet week 2025 will be run by the RYA training centre, following RYA training and event guidelines.
The cost of the event includes:
Supervision, on water support, safety cover and instruction by RYA instructors
Sunset seal trip
Supervised beach games
Supervised hunt the instructor at the Naze
Supervised mud race
Use of club boat (if choose to do so)
When booking you will have the option of purchasing an official Cadet week 2025 T shirt
Arrangements for Pier night, Cadet Week dinner are still to be confirmed
Fleets for 2025
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Zero to hero.
For the non-sailor, or sailor requiring a confidence boost. Ran by RYA instructors in optimist dinghies and staying close by the club. Cadets will be able to gain confidence on the water and work towards their RYA stages. places are limited to 9 cadets only.
Open to cadets ages 8 to 13
To take part in this cadet week option select ‘zero to hero’ for booking below.
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Non Sailor Jolly
Cadets will experience the fun of sailing and progress to experiencing the fun of racing under the supervision of RYA instructors. There are 8 places for cadets who will be split into two teams of 4 each sailing with an instructor. Cadets need no prior sailing experience.
To take part in this cadet week option select ‘zero to hero’ for booking below.
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Regatta Fleet
Cadets who hold RYA youth sailing scheme stage 2 and can sail round a shallow triangle course, including upwind sailing. Racing area will be on the wade. Refer to the notice of race document to see where the wade is.
Cadets need to ensure they come sailing prior to the event- through RYA onboard and RYA sailing courses at the yacht club. Cadets may not be at stage 2 at time of booking but can aim to achieve this before the event.
For this option you just need to book the boat you would like to sail below, fleets will be assigned closed to the event.
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Champion Ship Fleet
Cadets who hold RYA youth sailing scheme stage 3 and above.
Racing area will be on the wade and cadets will be expected to sail to and from the wade daily. Refer to the notice of race document to see where the wade is.
Cadets need to ensure they come sailing prior to the event- through RYA onboard and RYA sailing courses at the yacht club. They should take advantage of the race school training 10th to 12th August.
For this option you just need to book the boat you would like to sail, fleets will be assigned closer to the event.
Cadet kit list (for all fleets):
You are taking part in a watersport and you are likely to get wet, so always remember a change of clothes and a towel.
Clothing for training – wetsuits are ideal, but if not, lightweight stuff that dries easily, with a couple of layers if it is cold, plus waterproofs.
Trainers or dinghy boots for the feet
Hats- always a wooly hat! remember it will always feel colder on the water. AND a wide brimmed hat if sunny
Sun bloc – helps prevent windburn and sunburn
Packed lunch + snacks + water for on the water
Dry bag clearly labelled with cadets name- to keep food and drink safe and clipped round your mast on the water.
Money for tuck shop
Medication- if required- clearly labelled with instructions and name. please make instructor aware
Sailing gloves
Buoyancy aids will be provided by the club if required, we would strongly encourage the purchase of your own.
Please ensure you have read, understood and saved for reference, the relevant sections of the notice of race document accessible below - answers to all your questions will be within the document. Please do not hesitate to contact heidi@wfyc.co.uk if you do have any other questions.
FAQ’s
Will I gain an RYA certificate?
Zero to hero fleet will work specifically towards RYA certification. For other fleets if you think you have shown enough to get more of your log book signed off please ask an instructor at the end of the event.
Where can I watch Cadet week from?
Accompanying adults will be welcome to watch the activity from the shore or from the bar in the club if open. HOWEVER, PLEASE NOTE – ONLY STUDENTS & INSTRUCTORS & PRIOR APPROVED VOLUNTEERS ARE ALLOWED ON THE PONTOONS; this in order that instructors can monitor the safety of the young people. Please ensure, unless you are an official volunteer, that you stay out of the launch and recovery area when launching and recovery takes place; this is to keep you and our cadets safe from injury.
Will there be a break for snacks and using the toilet?
Cadets in the Regatta and Offshore fleet will be on the water for up to three and a half hours. There will not be the capacity to bring cadets in to use the toilet whilst racing is taking place. If you feel your child cannot wait up to three and a half hours to use the toilet please inform the person in charge.
Cadets in the Zero to Hero and Non Sailor Jolly fleets will be on the water for a maximum of two hours. If you feel your child cannot wait up to two hours to use the toilet please inform the instructor.
What if I don’t have a wetsuit?
You can buy them relatively cheaply from the beach shops at the end of walton highstreet in summer. A long wetsuit is always advised as it is always colder on the water. superstores also stock them as well as lots of online places such as wetsuit centre and wetsuit outlet. you will get the most out of the event in a wetsuit as you will stay warmer. Quick dry clothes recommended with waterproofs if you cannot get hold of a wetsuit.
What if there is bad weather?
In some cases there may be a day where it is not suitable to sail; a fun shoreside event will take place instead of sailing. .
Do I have to stay onsite whilst my child is taking part in Cadet week?
We ask that every cadet has a responsible adult who stays in the vicinity of the club for the duration of the first day of cadet week. From day two children can be left in the care of the instructors as long as you, or one of their emergency contacts are contactable by phone if needed. We request that if you as the parent/ responsible adult are a volunteer on the water for the event that you are not the child’s emergency contact- we need to ensure every child is looked after ashore and afloat whilst maintaining safety cover for all remaining cadets on the water.
Please ensure you have read and understood all the information given above, you will not receive an email nearer the event as all the information is here on this webpage for you to refer back to when required,
Recruitment of volunteers
WFYC cadet week cannot run without volunteer support. We would be very grateful for your support on the water, on shoreside and with evening entertainment. Please contact heidi@wfyc.co.uk
Recruitment of volunteers will happen in advance of the event; a safeguarding self disclosure and qualification checks being required by all personnel who wish to take part.
Volunteers will have a training session on Sunday 10th August from 1230 until 1430, followed by briefing at 1700 followed by a complimentary BBQ
Bookings must be made via the website. Please read each individual product description and requirements carefully. Some ticket purchases are for two persons who will be sailing together. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Places will go fast!! Make sure you book as soon as possible to secure your place!
Where possible please use your own boat, we have very few boats available for hire this year.
Book Here
Cadet Week 2024 Images
Photos taken by Charlie Inskip, click here to see his gallery where images can be downloaded or contact him with the image number for high resolution version. Alternatively click the image below to see the photo album on Facebook and tag yourself/children.
Drone footage of the Mud Race 2024 by Barry Scott