This information is in addition to our General Terms & Conditions. For more information about Day Sails & Charters please click here.
RYA Practical Courses
Important for Day Skipper & Coastal Skipper Candidates
If you are a Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper candidate you need to be up to speed with the relevant theory skills as we cannot teach these from scratch during the practical course itself. For Day Skippers this the equivalent of the RYA Day Skipper Theory programme, and for Coastal Skippers the RYA Coastal Skipper theory programme. Also your practical sailing skills need to be at or beyond the level of RYA Competent Crew (for Day Skippers) and beyond RYA Day Skipper practical (for Coastal Skippers). If you are in any doubt about where you stand on this please view the relevant syllabus here or contact us to discuss, it is much better to have this conversation before the course itself.
You must bring a recent passport-size photo (otherwise we will be unable to issue your certificate on successful completion of the course).
Course Start Times
Our courses will either start at 0900 on the published start date, or sometimes on the prior evening. We will let you know 4 weeks beforehand when we send your joining instructions.
Things You Will Need To Wear/Bring With You
Sleeping bag, under-sheet. pillows and pillow cases
Hat (with lanyard)
Deck shoes (soft soled) or non-marking trainers
Suncream
Waterproof sailing boots*
A water bottle (we will provide filtered water)
Sunglasses
Waterproofs*
Thermal underwear*
Sailing gloves
Warm socks
Wash bag and towel
Changes of clothes (several layers better than one thick layer)
Passport, EHIC and foreign currency (for foreign cruises)
Clothing for going ashore
Pocket or head torch (with red light option is ideal)*
*This is an ‘ideal world’ list and, depending on the weather, you may not use certain items. It is important to keep as warm and dry as possible during your course, especially Competent Crew and all Skipper candidates who will need to do some night sailing when it can be much colder.
Your Ability to Take Part/Equality
We are committed to the principle of equality of opportunity and our aim is to ensure that all present and potential participants are treated fairly and on an equal basis irrespective of gender, age, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or social status.
By submitting your booking application you are confirming that your physical fitness is adequate for full participation in the course. If in doubt please contact the Training Centre Principal to discuss, or speak to your GP. If you have mobility issues or other disabilities and are unsure if the course is suitable for you, please contact the Training Centre Principal. All such discussions will be held in the strictest confidence.
You are also confirming that you accept that sailing has inherent risks with an increased risk of injury compared to other activities.
Young People/Safeguarding
There is no strict minimum age for Start Yachting and Competent Crew courses, and we are very keen to share our love of sailing with people of all ages. In our experience children from around 8-10 years can achieve Start Yachting, and from 10-12 years they can achieve Competent Crew. This obviously depends on the individual child, and parents/guardians are very welcome to contact us to discuss this. The minimum age for Day Skipper practical is 16.
In practice, we can only accept bookings for students under the age of 18 if they are accompanied by an adult, who must accept responsibility for their welfare and conduct at all times.
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