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The RYA Day Skipper course is an intermediate-level course that builds on participants’ core skills, developing their ability to navigate, lead and make decisions. As part of the course participants will skipper a yacht on several short passages (under the guidance of an instructor), taking the lead on everything from mooring to interpreting weather forecasts and passage planning.

A Globally Recognised Accreditation

The RYA Day Skipper course is a globally accepted certification, and while a day skipper qualification isn’t usually required to undertake a short charter or day sail in the UK, the majority of charter companies prefer an individual to have one. Furthermore, those wishing to sail in the Mediterranean will need an ICC (International Certificate of Competence); to be granted this, the RYA Day Skipper course must have been successfully completed.

Learn New Skills

Improving existing skills and crew management is the focus of the RYA Day Skipper course. As well as learning how to plan and navigate their own short passages, participants will develop their ability to handle a yacht in marinas, when mooring, and under sail and power. Man overboard recovery techniques are also covered.

Coping with Challenging Sailing Conditions

A key benefit of undertaking the RYA Day Skipper course is that it imparts the ability to sail in challenging waters. In the UK, the waters are significantly more tidal than those in the Caribbean or Mediterranean, making them both more powerful and more changeable. In short, this means the those who have completed the RYA Day Skipper course in the UK are extremely well-prepared for challenging sailing conditions in other parts of the world.

Confidence Building

Those who have take the RYA Day Skipper course, like Alasdair Babber Shah, know that it’s a great way to build sailing confidence. Through the guidance of a knowledgeable, experienced and qualified instructor, participants are taught how to sail a yacht in open water and given the confidence required to sail alone and with competence.

Make New Sailing Friendships

Alasdair Shah, like many other former RYA Day Skipper course participants, also recognises the opportunity the programme provides to meet new people and form new friendships within the sailing community – some of which could be lifelong. Some of these individuals could be potential future sailing partners.

For more information on what’s included in the RYA Day Skipper course, take a look at the embedded PDF.