Who is the RYA?

Can I really learn to sail in 5 days?

What can I expect from an RYA sailing course?

Whats included in the course?

What do I need to bring?

Who else will be onboard?

Will I need to share a cabin?

How do I get to you?

Whats it like sailing in Spain?

I want to venture further into the Med - can you help?

I have previous sailing experience as crew but not skipper - what do you recommend?

How can I pay for my course

Q- Who is the RYA?

A- The Royal Yachting Association is the governing body for recreational sailing in the UK, they play a vital role in sailing development by offering one of the most recognised and respected training schemes on a Global level.

Q- Can I really learn to sail in 5 days?

A- In a nutshell NO, it takes a lifetime to master all the necessary skills to be truly competent and many yachtsmen openly admit that they never cease to learn. 5 days is simply not enough. However you will be taught all the basics and by the end of the week will be feeling more competent and confident at helming, sail handling and trim, tacking, gybing and general seamanship. For Day Skippers and above you will also gain confidence in Navigation and Skippering techniques along with increased sailing skills and boat handling. What we strive to achieve is to arm you with enough confidence and knowledge to allow you to continue learning.

Q- What can I expect from an RYA course?

A- To be taught in a professional yet friendly manner at a pace that suits you and in line with the relevent RYA course syllabus. Most of all expect to have FUN, boost your confidence, learn lots of new skills and make new friends. On succesful completion you will be issued with RYA certification.

Q- Whats included in the courses?

A- For non-residential Start Yachting and ICC courses we provide lunch, soft drinks along with wet weather gear, lifejacket and safety harness if required. For our 5 day residential courses we include all of the above with the addition of breakfast, 2 evening meals and comfortable duvet bedding.

Q- What do I need to bring?

A- First and foremost pack everything into a soft foldable bag, on booking we will forward a more comprehensive list but generally you will need.

Protective - sun-screen, lip balm, aftersun, sunglasses, hat, sea-sickness tablets if you suffer ( we recommend Biodramina con cafeina, available locally).

Clothing - summer shorts and t-shirts, swimwear and something for the evening.

spring/autumn - as above with long trousers and light fleeces for the cooler days. White soled shoes for use onboard and a seperate pair of shoes or flip flops when ashore

Wash gear - general toiletries and towel

Extras - camera, ipod / music mp3, sailing gloves if you have soft hands, 12 v mobile phone charger, some spending money and sense of humour.

Q- Who else will be onboard?

A- Our clients come from a variety of backgrounds and Nationalities, thats what makes the courses so interesting. For RYA courses in Spain we only teach a maximum of 4 students per boat, abilities may be at mixed levels but you will be taught as an individual often learning more than the suggested course content.

Q- Will I need to share a cabin?

A- No, unless you book as a couple, we will never ask you to share a cabin with a stranger.

Q- How do I get to you?

A- There are numerous tour operators and budget airlines servicing the area, the main airports are Murcia (San Javier) and Alicante (El Altet). Cartagena our nearest town has bus and train connections and communications by road are excellent with the E15 and AP7 running almost parallel to the coast.

Q- Whats it like sailing in Spain?

A- Generally its very pleasant with long sunny days and idyllic sea breezes. There are lots of interesting places to visit and with our central location on the South East corner of Spain it makes an ideal departure point for Adventure sailing to the Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca. Not too mention the miles of Spanish Coastline begging to be explored by sea.

Q- I want to venture further into the Med - can you help?

A- Certainly, once again our central location plays a pivotal role in opening up the cruising grounds of the Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Scicily and Malta, then there is North Africa, Gibraltar and the Costas themselves - all these destinations can be visited on our Adventure sailing trips. All the destination listed are within 7 days sailing and not having to spend more than 2.5 continous days at sea.

Q- I have previous sailing experience as crew but not skipper - what do you recommend? 

A- Brush up on your theory either as self study or by attending one of our shorebased classes, then complete the practical course aboard El Rubicon where you will get to apply navigation and seamanship theory, as well as taking command of the yacht and her crew.

Q- How can I pay for my course?

A- We offer 3 main payment options

1- Transfer the funds into our Spanish bank account

2- Credit or Debit card by telephone

3- Paypal

Please note that we will not secure places until a 10% deposit has been received and full payment is due 4 weeks prior to sailing.