Learn to Sail with Elite Sailing and School of Yachting in Chatham, Kent.

learn to sail adventure sailing holidays

If you are new to sailing, or would like to know more about the RYA training scheme, read on to see how we can take you step by step from absolute beginner to yachtmaster and beyond.

Is your ambition to:

	Enjoy relaxed summer sailing weekends on a friends yacht?
	Charter a yacht in warm waters, or sail your own boat into the sunset?
	Enjoy with others the fun, freedom, companionship and adventure of a holiday cruise to new places?
	Enjoy the pure sensation and the mental and physcal challenges of offshore yacht racing?

Whatever your plans, your future enjoyment and above all, your safety, depends on building a sound body of knowledge and skills at each level. We are here to help you learn to sail well - and have fun in the process.

First Steps - If you are a beginner and are not sure if you would even like sailing, you could consider joining one of our sail training weekends in Chatham, Kent. These are relaxed and enjoyable sailing experiences in sheltered waters and you will learn a lot.

After a first sailing weekend you will also qualify for the RYA 'Start Yachting' certificate - your first step on the RYA training pathway.

On the other hand it is perfectly reasonable to go straight to the first complete RYA Training course - Competent Crew. This can be done as a 5 day course on week days or as 3 weekends.

Special Promotion - For a limited period Competent Crew courses over 5 days are available for selected dates in July and August. Click here for details.

Another option is to book one of our Adventure Sailing Holidays. Almost all of these holidays are suitable for beginners and include competent crew training.

Click the links below for more information about:

Sail Training Weekends
Competent Crew Practical Course
Adventure Sailing Holidays

The RYA Training Scheme and Certificates of Competence.

Elite Sailing is an approved Royal Yachting Association Training Centre and we are inspected annually by the RYA to ensure that our methods, equipment and standards are maintained at a high level. Our training follows the RYA Sail Cruising scheme - a world-renowned sequence of courses leading from basic crewing up to professional Yachtmaster. Certificates are awarded for satisfactory completion of each course and, for those who want a formally recognised "ticket", there are independent examinations for issue of "Yachtmaster Coastal" and "Yachtmaster Offshore " Certificates of Competence.

The "RYA Cruising Log Book", available in most chandlers and directly from us, explains the system in detail and provides a record of your training and experience. Here we will try to show you how the various courses relate to each other, and what competence you should have after each course - particularly in terms of ability to crew on other yachts, charter, or get the "International Certificate of Competence" which in many European countries is now required by law. The system is flexible and you can start at any level appropriate to your experience. If you have any doubts we will be happy to give you objective advice.

Get details of the RYA training structure and course content
Additional online Information: Royal Yachting Association First Sail