Accredited centre for RYA training

Trinity Sailing is a Royal Yachting Association accredited sail training centre, licensed to conduct sailing courses under the RYA Sail Cruising Scheme. Each season we offer opportunities on our gaff cutter Golden Vanity for those who want to learn about sailing and seamanship in more depth, and to gain accredited qualifications.

Whether you are intending to become a skipper so that you can have your own family sailing holiday or just want to learn how to sail, the RYA has a range of courses suitable for you. Your instructor will not only teach the appropriate RYA syllabus but cover topics such as managing a traditional rig and how to handle a boat with a bowsprit under power.

These activity holidays offer the opportunity to have formal instruction while enjoying your sailing holidays. If you have already completed an RYA course and want a refresher or do not want to complete the RYA syllabus we can also offer bespoke course run by an RYA instructor but focusing on the particular areas that you wish to develop. We offer the following RYA courses:

• Start Yachting
• Competent Crew
• Day Skipper
• Watch Leader

If you are uncertain as to which sailing course would be most suitable for you, or would like further information or advice, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or call 01803 883355. Your skipper will be an RYA qualified Cruising Instructor or Yachtmaster Instructor. To find out more about the RYA and the cruising scheme certificates, visit the RYA website.

You can join Trinity on the following RYA courses during 2013:

Start Yachting

The Start Yachting course is designed to run as a short break and offers an introduction to sailing for complete beginners. By the end of the course you will have experienced steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and have an awareness of safety on board. Holders of the Start Yachting certificate can go on to complete the Competent Crew course in a reduced time of three days, instead of the normal five, or over two weekend breaks.

Competent Crew

Competent Crew is a sailing course aimed at those starting out in sailing, and wishing to learn the fundamentals required to be a useful member of crew aboard a sailing boat. No previous sailing experience is required. Topics covered include seamanship, knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, sail handling and ropework, knowledge of safety procedures, helmsmanship, and the principles of sailing.

Day Skipper

The Day Skipper course is aimed at those with previous sailing experience who wish to become competent to skipper a small yacht by day in familiar waters. It is assumed that they will have at least the knowledge of a competent crew member, and must have a minimum of 5 days, 100 miles and 4 night hours logged before undertaking the course. Some basic navigational knowledge is required, either through practical experience or a Day Skipper Theory course. The course goes into greater depth on the topics covered in Competent Crew, and also includes navigation, pilotage and boat handling under sail and power.

Watch Leader

The Watch Leader course is conducted onboard a large yacht (over 15m LOA) or a sail training vessel to teach watch-keeping, seamanship and navigation up to the standards required for taking charge of a watch on deck, at sea or in a harbour, under the supervision of a deck officer. The Watch Leader syllabus is similar to that of Day Skipper and the pre-course requirements are identical i.e. with at least the knowledge of a competent crew member, and a minimum of 5 days, 100 miles and 4 night hours logged. Some basic navigational knowledge is required, either through practical experience or a Day Skipper Theory course.

If you have any queries over which RYA course would be the right one for you, or would like further information or advice, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail or call 01803 883355.