Learn Sailing Course

Title: Learn to Sail Course

Price: £398 p/p for 4 days

Duration: level 1(2 days) & level 2 (2 days)

Location: Brighton Marina.

Parking:  Free in Brighton Marina - multi storey car park.

Candidates: Beginner sailors, Novice boat handlers, Start sailing candidates, sailing learners, trainee boat crew, yacht crew, New boat owners,  Anyone needing sailing certificates or licences, Anyone needing licenses for hiring powerboats abroad, particularly with flotilla companies.

Frequently asked questions:

Do I need a RYA sailing licence to sail a boat?

You do not legally need a certificate or licence or attend any course to sail a boat in the UK for anything up to 24m or under 500 gross tons.  

However, it does depend where you are going sailing, which company/club/country, what type of yacht, who you are on the yacht with and the reasons you are on the water. ie leisure or commercial.  This course will give you the sailing basics for simple day sailing.

What is involved?

The first two days provides the skills & background knowledge needed to becoming a competent sailor in light winds with an introduction to sailing techniques & manoeuvres, rigging, safety, man over board & basic rules of the road. The second 2 days builds on and helps you develop better skills, techniques & manoeuvres, rigging, safety, man over board & basic rules of the road. It's also a great way to socialize.  This course has the added advantage of being endorsed for coastal waters and is part of the RYA National 'Sailing Scheme' for keelboats (small day yachts.. bigger than dinghies so they don't capsize!)

Will my sailing certificate allow me to sail in France, Spain and other EU Countries?

No, in most EU countries you will need at least an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) certificate and a VHF operator’s licence to sail. The only RYA licence deemed equivalent to ICC is the Day Skipper Practical.  Having said that, if you are going with a Flotilla company check with them first, as some such as Neilson and Sailing Holidays will accept the Learn to Sail qualification alone.  If you are going inland (French canals, lakes etc), you may need to do a CEVNI test. The CEVNI is a 30 minute test paper which you can do at the end of your course, but does require extra preliminary study. 

Do I ever need to renew my Sailing Certificate?

No, your certificate is for life.  However, if it has been a while since you have have sailed then it might be prudent to do a little refresher.   You can also take it further with more specialist courses such as 'Sailing with Spinnakers.' or move up to larger yachts on completion of this course.  Sailing is a lifelong learning process!

Is there a Sailing written exam at the end of the course?

No, this sailing course is an attendance course with continual instruction and assessment, but some light study is required.

Where will my Sailing licence be valid?

This RYA qualification is not a ‘licence’ it is a certificate to show you have attended a training course. However, RYA qualifications are generally internationally recognised and will show you are a competent sailor on small boats in light winds.

What is the right Sailing Course to take, there seems to be so many?

Be careful when choosing your course as some sailing clubs and yacht clubs (even apparently respectable ones) offer training courses that are unlicensed and use 'skippers' that are not qualified to teach.  Ask lots of questions before parting with your money!  However, if it's a simple beginners sailing course in Brighton Marina you need, this 'Learn to Sail' course is an all in one, certified, practical RYA sailing course and is referred in a number of ways....

Start Sailing, Basic Sailing skills, Keelboat Level 1,  Keelboat Level 2, RYA National Sailing Scheme, Learn to Sail certificate, UK sail training course, Sailing training courses, Brighton Marina sailing course, Brighton Marina Sail training... 

...but don’t worry, it's all the same course!

Is there a fee for issuing a Sailing certificate?

No, it is all included on the course fee.

Are there any other hidden costs?

No, but If you book over the phone, a 2% credit card charge will apply.  Please allow for meals & drinks at lunch time as these aren't provided. If you don't have wet weather gear, you will need to arrange to hire this.

Why go to Brighton Marina to do my Sailing Course?

Some Training Centres can be draughty out of the way places incompatible with Sail training.  Brighton Marina is one of the biggest marinas in Europe, with plenty of opportunities to practice manoeuvres in different scenarios surrounded by different types of boats, and what's more it's only minutes from the open water.  The training boats are modified for ease of training and well maintained, and the the Sussex Heritage Coastline is part of England's The South Downs NAtional Park.  Brighton Marina has many cafe’s, bars and restaurants so is a great place to hang out afterwards too!  

Do you do group discounts, special dates or special offers?

For groups of 10 or more, we are happy to discuss your specific needs, whether it be a group discount, a date to suit you, or even if you wish to do corporate team building or school groups. Special prices and special offers apply to new bookings only.

What does the course cover?

1. Clothing - What Should I Wear. 

This covers not only suitable clothing for the activity, such as waterproofs, but also shoes and protective equipment such as life jackets or buoyancy aids. 

2. Rig and Launch - Boat Anatomy. 

It'll be helpful when you learn to sail if you know what a dinghy looks like, and we can help you out with the names of the parts of them too.

3. Joyride

You'll be taken for what's known as a joyride right at the start of the course, where usually an instructor will take you out in a boat and give you a taste of whats to come. You'll sometimes get your first go at sailing, depending on instructor and conditions. There's not much more we can say about this one!

4. Going About / Tacking

this ones' very important, particularly if you sail on a small lake, you learn how to turn the boat, as you can't sail in a straight line forever.

5. Sailing Upwind

you can't sail straight head on into the wind, so how do you make your way upwind? Sailing would be a bit pointless if you could only sail downwind (plus how would you get home later?) Find out how to get upwind - our article is coming soon.

6. Five Essentials

Ask a student what the five essentials of sailing are, and there's a fair chance you'll get the sarcastic answer, boat, wind, water etc. The real five essentials of sailing are certain things to pay special attention to, so you can sail in the most efficient maner. They are centreboard, sail trim, boat trim, boat balance and course made good.

7. Sailing Downwind

Sailing downwind isn't just as simple as turning the boat away from the wind and letting it go! Find out all about sailing downwind, and how direct downwind may not be the most efficient course. Our article is coming soon.

8. Gybing - 

Gybing is another way to turn the boat to head in a different direction - find out more about gybing.

9. Triangular Course - 

This is the point at which you realise you can actually sail - if you can sail around a triangular course, in good control of the boat, you're well on your way to being able to call yourself a sailor. A triangular course will usually include an upwind leg, an across wind (reaching) leg, and a downwind leg, and also a tack and a gybe - all of the main items you'll have learnt in the previous sessions.

10. Further Sessions

Depending on the course, sailing conditions and time available, this could include things such as Man Overboard, Coming Alongside, Anchoringe, or Reefing. It depends very much on the course, and how well you have mastered the other material.

11. Knots

Bowline, Figure of Eight, Round Turn and Two half hitches, Clove Hitch, Stopper knot.

Catchment area: Learn to Sail courses serving London, Brighton and the counties of East and West Sussex, Kent and Surrey in the South East of the UK.  About 45mins from Eastbourne's sovereign harbour and 20 minutes from Newhaven harbour and Lewes to the East.  About an hour from Croydon and Crawley, and 40 minutes from Haywards Heath and Gatwick Airport to the North.  About 45 minutes from Worthing, an hour from Littlehampton and 35 minutes from Shoreham Harbour yacht club.