RYA Theory Courses in London and Kent

Classroom training is a vital complement to our RYA practical sailing courses. At Elite Sailing we pay the same careful attention to this as to our instruction at sea. Our shore based course instructors are qualified and experienced RYA/MCA Yachtmasters and they are also current practical sailing instructors. We make subjects relevant, interesting and fun to study. And if you take an RYA Day Skipper theory course you can receive a discount on a subsequent 5 day practical course.

RYA Sailing courses are available at our classrooms at Chatham, Kent and in London.
Courses include:

RYA Day Skipper Theory
RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory
RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Theory
VHF Marine Radio
RYA Frst Aid at Sea
RYA Diesel Engine Maintenance
RYA Radar

Dates, Locations and Prices

RYA Theory courses in Kent are run at our comfortable classroom aboard our historic sailing barge at our marina base at Chatham. The location is less than one hour from Central London, 25 minutes from the M25 at Dartford and there are excellent road and rail links both to London and to channel ports and the tunnel. There is ample free car parking and you are right in the marina with the yachts alongside. RYA Theory courses in London are held in convenient, central locations with good public transport links. These include Monument, (EC3) and City Road (EC1). If you have a location of your own we may be able to run a course for you. Read on.

Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory courses are both available in 3 formats:

5 Day Intensive (Mon – Fri)

A Two-weekend Scheme (eg Fri, Sat, Sun and then Sat, Sun)

5 Evenings (over 7 weeks) plus home study. Fully Flexible options allow you to switch to later courses if time becomes a problem.

The Day Skipper Course is also available as a Distance Learning package. In this case we send you a complete materials pack so you can study and complete all the exercises at home. If you take the support option you have access to a tutor on the phone or via email. When you are ready we send you the test papers for completion at home. You return them to us for marking and if you make the grade we send you the certificate.

VHF/SRC are available at Chatham as a 1-day course. We have suspended VHF courses in London for the time being. The courses at Chatham are easily accessible from London - with high speed Javelin trains from St Pancras taking just 37 minutes and fast trains from Victoria in just 45 minutes. RYA First Aid at Sea, Radar, Diesel Engine Maintenance courses all run as one day events at Chatham. Sea Survival courses are held at Gravesend.

Need more information about our theory courses? Try these links:

The RYA Training Scheme Explained (Flowchart)

RYA Day Skipper Theory Course

RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory Course

Live or Work in London or Kent and have access to a room suitable for training? We can deliver evening or weekend courses to company offices anywhere in London or Kent. Click here for details

Shore based course dates and prices:

For additional dates or private tuition - call us

Notes:

General:

1. For one day courses the full fee is payable on booking. For all other courses a deposit of 25% is payable on booking and the balance is due 6 weeks before the course start date.

2. For the VHF/SRC licence a £25 fee is payable to the RYA. You pay this in the class (cheque or card). Paperwork is completed on the spot and sent to the RYA for issue of the licence.

Courses at Chatham:

3. Day class times are 0900 to 1700 (DS and CS theory) or 0930 to 1630 (one-day courses). Refreshments - tea/coffee etc - are included in the price and there are places nearby where you can buy sandwiches or lunch.

4. Courses are non-residential. We can provide lists of local hotel and B&B accommodation.

5. DS and CS/YM Shorebased course and Basic Navigation course prices include RYA course packs, practice charts etc. Navigation instruments (Portland Plotter, dividers, 3B pencils and an eraser are available on loan to intensive course students (you can also buy a set of your own for £25). Instruments are available for sale to evening class students.

Courses in London:

6. Evening class times for Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper theory courses are 1830 to 2130.

7. The 5 Evenings format is spread over 7 weeks overall and you have a comprehensive home study pack so that you can complete the entire course at home if necessary. The exam is completed either in your own time at home (and sent to us for marking) or you can attend a session at Chatham. Although this package is intended to be completed in just over 7 weeks, it is fully flexible so that at any stage, if there are problems with progress or time, you can switch to a later course of evening classes or even attend a session at Chatham (conditions apply).

8. If you need to miss one or even two evenings its usually possible to work around the absence. The courses are clearly structured so you know in advance the topics you need to study and your instructor will be happy to advise you. Call or email the office to discuss your requirements.

9. Evening class times for VHF courses are 1830 to 2100.

10. Theory course prices include RYA course packs, practice charts etc and a booklet. You will need a plotter, dividers, soft pencil and eraser. You can buy these (price £25) on the first night.

Distance Learning:

11. Distance Learning course packs include an Elite Sailing study guide, Elite Sailing audio-visual course presentation (modular) on disk, worked answers to chartwork problems, RYA training almanac, practice charts, RYA course booklet, RYA Exercises. When you have completed the study and exercises you can ask for the RYA exam papers. We send them to you. You complete the exam at home and return it to usfor marking. If you pass we send you the RYA certificate. If you fail you can do more study and retake the exam. (re-exam fee applies). You will need a portland plotter and dividers. If you don't have these items we can supply with the pack for an additional fee of £25. Price includes next day postage within the UK. Delivery outside UK at cost.