Chieftain Training

RYA & STCW Courses – Sail, Power, Super-Yacht & Workboat

Laser (ILCA) Week

Home » Laser (ILCA) Week

ILCA (Laser Class) Sailing Week

A full week of fast, fun, confidence-building sailing in ILCA (Laser) dinghies — for sailors who are ready to level up.

If your child enjoys sailing and wants a more exciting, performance-style boat, our ILCA Sailing Week is the perfect next step. Across five days (Monday–Friday), they’ll build boat handling skills, improve upwind/downwind technique, learn basic racing skills, and gain real confidence sailing independently.

The ILCA (formerly know as the Laser), is the world’s most widely sailed performance dinghy and has been an Olympic class since 1996.

Location: SWAC (Southampton Water Activities Centre), Southampton

Duration: Monday to Friday (5 days) during school holidays

Time: 09:15–16:30 ecah day

Age guide: 12–17

Dinghy types: ILCA (Laser)

Rig: ILCA 4 (Laser 4.7), ILCA 6 (Laser Radial) or ILCA 7 (Laser standard)  based on ability and weight

Boats: The ILCA (Laser)

lasers at downwind mark

Who is this week for?

This advanced week is ideal for youth and teen sailors who:

  • Have completed RYA Stage 3 and gained additional experience

  • Can sail a dinghy independently in moderate conditions

  • Want to sail a faster boat and improve technique

  • Are interested in racing or simply want to become a stronger, more confident sailor

If you’re unsure whether your child is ready for Lasers, get in touch — we’ll point you to the right week.

ILCA-Laser-Training-Week

What they’ll learn

Over five days, sailors will work on:

Boat handling & control

  • Launching, landing, capsize recovery (Laser-specific)

  • Efficient tacking and gybing

  • Sail trim for speed and balance

  • Hiking technique and boat fitness (done sensibly and progressively)

Performance sailing skills

  • Preparation & Boat Set Up

  • Upwind technique: pointing, speed, and gust response

  • Downwind technique: control, planing basics, and safe gybes

  • Boat balance, body position, and steering with purpose

Racing skills

  • Start-line basics and simple start routines

  • Rules awareness

  • Rounding marks cleanly

  • Simple tactics: wind awareness, sailing the shifts, and decision making

We’ll tailor the week to the group — some weeks lean more toward racing, others toward “performance improver” sailing.

A typical week

Monday: Safety refresh, Laser setup, capsize recovery, baseline skills assessment
Tuesday: Upwind technique, trim, steering and balance
Wednesday: Downwind control, gybes, speed work, confidence in breeze
Thursday: Skills consolidation + short races / challenges
Friday: Mini regatta / coached sailing challenge + certificates and feedback

(Weather and group ability may change the exact plan — we always coach to the conditions.)

What’s included

  • Qualified, experienced coach with ILCA race experience.

  • Use one of one of our  Laser/ILCA dinghies and rigs

  • Loan of a wetsuit, spray top and buoyancy aid (if required)

  • Safety boat cover at all times

  • End-of-week certificate and skills feedback

laser_training

Requirements

Sailing experience: Minimum RYA Stage 3 (able to sail independently) and some experience of putting Stage 3 into practice.
Swimming: Confident in deep water while wearing a buoyancy aid
Fitness: Reasonable fitness helps (Lasers are active!)

If your child is reletaivly new to sailing, have a look at our Youth Start Sailing, Improve Sailing or Develop Sailing Weeks first.

What to bring

  • Wetsuit or drysuit (plus warm layers)

  • Sailing shoes / old trainers (closed-toe)

  • Towel + full change of clothes

  • Waterproof jacket (even in summer!)

  • Sun cream, hat, water bottle

  • Packed lunch and snacks

You’ll receive full joining instructions after booking.

Laser-dinghy

Safety first

We run a structured, progressive programme with safety at the core:

  • Instructor-led briefings and shore-based checks each day

  • Safety boat cover on the water throughout

  • Coaching that adapts to conditions and confidence levels

  • Clear boundaries and supervision for launching/landing and changing areas

Booking

Laser Sailing Week dates: see the booking calendar below and book

Spaces: Limited — early booking recommended.

Questions? Email or call us and we’ll help you choose the right course.

Not sure if Laser Week is right?

If your child is between levels — or you’re not sure whether they should be in:

  • Beginner Week

  • Improver Week

  • Laser Week

  • Racing Week

…send us a quick message with their age and experience, and we’ll recommend the best fit.