RYA Training Courses Announced
We are pleased to announce our training programme for Winter and Spring 2016/17.
We have set firm dates for the RYA Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster™ Offshore courses across four weekends in February, and will be setting dates for the 1-day courses once we have gathered interest and shared suggested dates with those who have signed up.
RYA Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster™ Offshore Theory Courses
These courses will run over four weekends on 4/5th, 11/12th, 18/19th, and 25/26th February 2017. Fees, based on a minimum of 6 students, are as follows:
- Day Skipper Theory £320
- Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster™ Offshore Theory £360
Students need to provide a plotter, dividers, compass, 2B pencils, eraser, and notebook.
No previous knowledge is required for the Day Skipper Course.
The assumed knowledge for the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster™ Course is Day Skipper level, although the YM course does include some revision. I will be the Instructor for these courses. Please contact me for bookings or further information via [email protected], or click here to book places on this course.
RYA Essential Navigation and Basic Seamanship
This two day course is for anyone new to boating (sailing, power boats, angling, diving, etc) who needs to become familiar with the basics of operating a boat in tidal waters. Topics covered include, charts, safety, buoyage, tides, navigation and pilotage, rules of the road, weather, and planning a passage.
As its title suggests, this course concentrates on the minimum knowledge required to be safe on the water. The course is presented in an informal manner and there is no exam, no homework, and no age limit.
We need 5 or 6 students to run this course. Get in touch via [email protected] if you’re interested and let’s see if we can get a group together for a weekend course in spring 2017. The cost is:
- Essential Navigation and Basic Seamanship £140 (fee includes an RYA Handy Plotter, Practice Charts, and a Pair of Dividers)
Students need to bring only 2B pencils, eraser, and a notebook.
RYA Specialist Short Courses
We can arrange for the following RYA Specialist Short (one day) Courses at the Club.
- Diesel Engines – helps you prevent and solve diesel engine problems
- Radar Course – gives an understanding of radar as a aid to navigation and collision avoidance
- First Aid – essential first aid from a boating perspective
- VHF DSC Course – for anyone who owns a fixed or handheld VHF radio
Please contact me at [email protected] with your requirements and we’ll book dates.
Suggestions Please
I’m trying some additions to our range of courses. One example is the Essential Navigation and Basic Seamanship course mentioned above. This could introduce new sailors to the Club, possibly first time boat owners from the marinas.
Also, by next spring, we should be able to carry out ICC Assessments for anyone thinking of sailing abroad. (Incidentally, there’s a useful article about the International Certificate of Competence in the December issue of Yachting Monthly.)
However, I’m very interested to hear what club members want. For example, is the current four weekend format for theory courses the best format, or would two long weekends be better? Please let me know your thoughts.
Regards,
Mark Godwin
RYA Principal and Chief Instructor