Seafarer Sailing & Windsurfing Academy

What is the RYA?

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the UK governing body for sailing and windsurfing, and it is recognised internationally as the leading authority on sailing and windsurfing instruction. As a result, becoming an RYA instructor opens up a world of opportunity: watersports companies all over the globe know that RYA instructors meet high standards of safety and dedication to their pupils.

Once you qualify, you also get ongoing support from Seafarer to gain teaching experience, improve your skills and, in time, gain further instructor qualifications. Whether you are enjoying a gap year or starting a long-term career, our Academy team will happily support you.

What is an Instructor Training Course?

A Seafarer Academy instructor course is a fast-track way to become an RYA Dinghy or Windsurf Instructor. It first concentrates on learning to sail or windsurf, then moves on to learning to instruct, with work experience along the way.

What is an RYA Assistant Instructor qualification?

About halfway through the course, before your work experience, we run the RYA Assistant Instructor qualification. It allows you to assist with sessions under the RYA Dinghy or Windsurf scheme, and it prepares you for the instructor course to come.

Who can apply?

Our fast-track Sailing and Windsurf Instructor courses are for ambitious, energetic and enthusiastic people of all ages and abilities. The only prerequisites are a moderate swimming ability and a passion to learn new skills. Please note that our minimum age to travel to Greece is 18. For the shorter courses, you need a certain level of sailing or windsurfing ability, so please give us a call to discuss.

What qualifications and skills will I gain?

The minimum course content for all students is listed below; the exact qualifications depend on your previous experience. You can also ask for additional tuition in areas of your choice. No previous sailing or windsurfing experience is needed.

Sailing qualifications: RYA Level 1 Start Sailing, RYA Level 2 Basic Skills, RYA Level 3 Better Sailing, RYA Seamanship Skills, RYA Sailing with Spinnakers, RYA Assistant Dinghy Instructor and RYA Dinghy Instructor.

Windsurfing qualifications: RYA Start Windsurfing, RYA Intermediate Non-Planing, RYA Non-Planing Carve Gybe Clinic, RYA Beach Start Clinic and RYA Start Windsurf Instructor.

All candidates gain: RYA Powerboat Level 2, RYA First Aid, the Safe and Fun safeguarding module, yacht-based theory tuition, personal coaching, work experience in an active RYA centre, professional use of VHF radios, and careers advice and employment opportunities.

The course aims for a 100% pass rate. However, if your instructor skills are not quite strong enough at moderation, you receive an RYA Action Plan with specific goals to finalise your qualification. It is a support, not a fail, and the Academy team will help you achieve it. If an Action Plan is issued because of a lack of effort, attendance or commitment, further help is at the discretion of the Academy team.

What is included in the price?

Return flights, transfers to and from the hotel, accommodation (shared twin with en-suite facilities), breakfast, lunch and dinner, unlimited equipment use, all required safety equipment, sailing or windsurf instructor training, instructor assessment, RYA logbooks, RYA certification and a First Aid manual.

Do I have to be an RYA member?

Yes, all RYA instructors must be RYA members, so please join the RYA before your instructor course in Greece. Membership is between £20 and £50 a year depending on your age, and it is not included in the course price. See www.rya.org.uk/membership for details.

What is the pre-course instructor pack?

Once you join the Seafarer Academy and pay your deposit, you receive your pre-course instructor pack with everything you need to know before you head to Greece: a welcome letter, a packing list, work experience and employment request forms, flight and accommodation details, information on applying for funding and grants, and an invitation to our members’ Facebook page.

How do I book?

You can reserve your place on the Seafarer Academy with a £95 initial deposit, followed by the rest of the deposit within 2 weeks of booking. We can then arrange a payment plan that spreads the payments over the months before the course. To book, call 0208 324 3118 or email academy@seafarerholidays.com.

How do I apply for grants?

Many organisations offer financial help, and everyone can apply for grants from charities and trusts, whatever their circumstances. Grants for individuals typically range from £50 to £2,500, but they take time and effort, so apply to as many as you can.

• Search for phrases such as “vocational training grants”, “funding for personal development” and “grants for outdoor education training”.
• Useful websites include www.grantsforindividuals.org.uk, The King’s Trust (formerly The Prince’s Trust) and www.futuresforwomen.org.uk.
• Your local library can point you to guides such as The Educational Grants Directory, The Grants Register, A Guide to Grants for Individuals in Need, The Youth Funding Guide and the Directory of Grant Making Trusts.
• When you apply, explain that the Seafarer Academy provides vocational training for the outdoor industry and teaches the skills to become a professional RYA watersports instructor. These skills also transfer to many other roles, especially in education, and outdoor training builds teamwork, responsibility and communication.

What socials are organised during the course?

This is a professional training course, but we organise regular fun social events throughout the 6 weeks. For example: a sunset yacht cruise with fizz and nibbles, a sail away with a beach BBQ on a deserted island, an evening paddleboard trip to the island of Agia Nikolaos, meals out in Nydri, Lefkas and Vassiliki, social dinners, BBQs and weekly quizzes, and trips around the wonderful island of Lefkas.

How can I find out more?

Watch the video above, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SeafarerAcademy, or email academy@seafarerholidays.com with any questions.