Shearwater Sailing School Courses

As we are a small school, we can be very flexible with the full range of RYA courses we offer. From RYA Start Yachting to RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, and more.

Not sure what course to take, or require something not listed below, we can help.

RYA Competent Crew

This is a 5 day practical course where you can achieve your first major sailing certificate.

The RYA Competent Crew course is aimed at beginners to the world of sailing, with little or no experience, who want to become active crew members rather than just passengers.

After the course, you will be able to steer a yacht, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in the day-to-day routines of sailing a yacht as well as rope handling and general duties.

No age limit.

5 Day Sailing Course - £695

RYA Instructor/Student Ratio max 1:5. We normally sail with 1:4

RYA Day Skipper

The RYA Day Skipper practical course is aimed at aspiring skippers who have some yachting experience and basic navigation.

You’ll learn to skipper short passages, enter and exit ports , emergency skills such as Man Overboard training and how to sail up to and tie up to a mooring buoy.

To take this course, you must have completed at least 5 days, 100 miles and 4 night hours on board a sailing yacht, and must be 16 or older.

5 Day Sailing Course - £695

RYA Instructor/Student Ratio max 1:5. We normally sail with 1:4

RYA Coastal Skipper or

Yachtmaster Offshore Prep

The RYA Coastal Skipper practical course is aimed at yachtsmen and women with considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation who are wanting to undertake coastal passages by day and night. After this course, you will have the confidence to skipper a yacht on a coastal passage by day or night.

Or if completing the Yachtmaster Offshore prep you will arrange with the school to book a RYA Examiner to take the 8/10 hour practical exam soon afterwards.

To take this course(Coastal) you will have completed at least 15 days, 300 miles, 8 night hours and 2 days as skipper on board a sailing yacht, and must be 17 for Coastal and 18 for Yachtmaster Offshore for which you will need 2500 miles and three skippered passages over 60 miles plus 50 night hours.

5 Day Sailing Course - £695

RYA Instructor/Student Ratio max 1:5. We normally sail with 1:4

RYA VHF/DSC RADIO COURSE

A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures for using it and communicating with other boats and ground based stations. 

This course is a requirement for anyone who owns a fixed or handheld marine VHF radio.

The Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on any British flagged vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio.

Materials supplied. VHF book and exam paper.

Age 16 to complete the exam but no age limit to complete the course.

1 Day Course - £120 + £60 fee

Instructor/Student Ratio max 1:8

first aid

The 1 day First Aid course covers all the usual first aid subjects, all from a boating perspective. Additionally, this course covers: drowning protocol, cold, shock and hypothermia, seasickness, dehydration and helicopter rescue.

It is aimed at anyone who goes afloat, whether on inland waters, rivers, estuaries or on cross channel passages.

In a medical emergency, a little first aid knowledge and immediate action can save lives, especially in remote locations.

Materials supplied. First aid handbook

1 Day Course - £120

Instructor/Student Ratio max 1:8

London, France, belgium & holland Cruises

We offer two fantastic mile building cruises.

- 6 day cruise into London

- 7 day cruise to France, Belgium and/or Holland.

These are not only excellent for those who need to build up miles for their Yachtmaster certificates, but also a great way to get your Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper qualification.

7/10 Day Cruise

In addition to the above RYA Courses, we also offer a range of flexible solutions to meet your needs.

• Family sails, lasting a day or a whole week with an instructor as skipper.

• Two day brush up sails.

• Two day ICC Training Course and Exam.

• Own Boat Tuition where an RYA Instructor assists you on your own boat.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.