RYA Practical Courses With ALba Sailing

Excellent Tuition

Well equipped yachts

Ideal Learning Area

Theory Courses- Start Now!

Unbeatable Scenery

Good Food

On Site Facilities

All RYA Courses for 2010 are now fully booked - (except for groups of 4 -5 who may wish to book a private course - subject to availability of a suitable yacht and an Instructor.)

RYA COURSE DATES FOR 2011

These courses are all 5 days in duration - extra courses will become available as the dates below fill up.

Start date	Places left
27th March	5
10th April	5
24th April (Easter)	5
8th May	4
22nd May	5
19th June	5
26th June	5
3rd July	5
17th July	3
14th August	5
28th August	3
4th September	5
11th September	5
18th September	5
25th September	5
2nd October	5

2011 courses are £450 inc VAT at 20%.

St Kilda Cruise - 24th July - 2 weeks

Our annual St Kilda cruise will depart on 23rd July 2011 and return on 6th August 2011. There are only 5 places left. This cruise can be used as an RYA course or just a holiday. Cost - £999. For further details see the news page.

RYA Course Information

During all our RYA courses you will live on board the yacht and be involved in all the various aspects of cruising from keeping a lookout at night to washing up the dishes. Alba Sailing offers a range of RYA Courses and options to suit all requirements for complete beginners through to the standard required for the DoT Yachtmaster exam.

For more details and answers to FAQ's click here.

On all courses we try to mix abilities - one any course there will probably be Competent Crew Students, Day Skipper Students and possibly Coastal Skipper students.

We also hire 'Oilies' (Waterproof Sailing suits) for sailors who don't have their own gear. (see Downloads page for prices)

To book a place please phone or email to confirm availability - then download the RYA Course Application form and print it out, complete it and return it with your £100 deposit (or full payment if you are sailing within 8 weeks of booking) - we will send you confirmation and we will invoice you for the balance and send you joining instructions, packing list etc nearer the time.

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION

All the courses are 5 days duration and you may choose from a wide choice of yachts and dates to meet your requirements, the only proviso being that there needs to be a minimum of 3 students to obtain the maximum benefit from the course. Individuals are welcome subject to our ability to find two others willing to participate at the same time as yourself. Groups of friends are easier to arrange. If there are 3 or more of you we will run a course for you on any dates you like subject to a suitable yacht being available.

The food provided is of a very high standard and there is plenty of it. All the main meals are home cooked and of course any special dietary arrangements can be catered for such as Coeliacs, Halal, Wheat intolerance, Lactose intolerance, Kosher, Vegetarian, Vegan, Pescetarian etc etc

Courses run from March through to November and generally commence on a Sunday afternoon at 1400 hrs and return to Dunstaffnage Marina at 1200 hrs the following Friday. However we are flexible so depending on demand, dates can be arranged to suit your requirements.

The cost is £450 per person including VAT at 20%, full board, diesel fuel and gas. No extras!!

COMPETENT CREW

This is meant for those with little or no experience to help them learn to become a useful crew member.

DAY SKIPPER

Previous experience of sailing is required with a minimum of 5 days sailing including 4 night hours and at least 100 miles logged. Basic sailing ability and navigation skills are required and ideally you will already have completed the Day Skipper theory course. On successful completion of the course you will be able to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day.

COASTAL SKIPPER

For those with a minimum of 15 days (2 as skipper), 300 miles and 8 night hours who have navigational skills to Coastal Skipper shore based standard and practical sailing ability to Day Skipper standard. This course will enable a person to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night upon completion of the course. This is a practical completion course, not an exam, and if you wish to take the DoT Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Exam you will need to make arrangements for the examiner yourself with the RYA - we will gladly supply the contact details. We will be happy to supply the yacht for an extra day for the exam for a nominal fee after the five day course and ask the other people on board to stay for the extra day to crew for you - most are usually very happy to do this.

If you are not sure what level you are at or would like any guidance or questions answered just email us or call - we are here to help. We all had a first time at sea and some of us are just about young enough to remember it!

WOMEN ONLY COURSES

The emphasis on all our courses is above all to enjoy the experience of sailing in these beautiful waters whilst learning new techniques and skills. Many women find learning easier and more fun when sailing with a female skipper and crew so we are pleased to be able to offer any RYA course for women only - the difficulty is finding groups of 4 - 5 women! If there a few of you who would like to sail together please let us know and we will do our best to put on a women only course for you.

What do our customers say about our RYA courses???

'I was very nervous about a) getting on a yacht for the first time and b) getting on to a boat with 4 men that I didn't know. I need not have worried, Brian (the Skipper) was so welcoming and thoughtful, I had a cabin to myself and the other chaps were great. I passed my Competent Crew and make some really good friends that I will keep in touch with. It was really great experience!! Thank you Alba Sailing for starting me off on the road to being a sailor! ' (Katy R. from Somerset - April 2009)

'Just wanted to say thanks for a truly outstanding RYA course with Alba Sailing - I did my Comp Crew on the South Coast, my Day Skipper in Wales and my Coastal Skipper with yourselves. The quality of the boat, the scenery, the breathtaking anchorages and the patience and knowledge of the Skipper left the others far behind. The organization and quality of the food were superb. A BIG thank you to all concerned - see you for my Yachtmaster next year!!' (Jonathan P-B from London - June 2009)

'I don't know how you prepare food at sea on a two burner stove that is better than I have had in many restaurants!!! I don't know where such a young Skipper finds so much patience and local knowledge. I also now know what I don't know about sailing! I will be back next year to learn some more. Thanks for everything!' (Keith P from Aberdeen - May 2009)

'You have proved to me that great service IS still available in the UK - thanks for restoring my faith!!' (Lynn F. from Newcastle upon Tyne - April 2009)

'Just got home and had a long soak in a hot Radox bath and reflected upon the last 5 days. It would be rude not to write to you to thank you for the organization that went into the RYA course last week and the way everything was run. The boat - Clear Blue - was first class, the Skipper was brilliant - knowledgeable and humorous, we felt totally safe even when the wind really picked up, the food was astonishing, and the places we went to were just magical. The people we met were fantastic - the group gelled really well and we will be exchanging photo CD's in due course - I will send you a copy.' (David M from Manchester - September 2009)

'I left shore as a boy - and returned as a man!!!' (name withheld to spare blushes!)

RYA Theory Courses

Many of us simply do not have the time to attend a local college in order to take part in one of the excellent range of RYA theory courses available. Interactive learning is therefore a superb way of learning at your own speed and in the comfort of your own home.

Having carefully researched this field Alba Sailing are proud to recommend TeachMe interactive who offer a superb range of critically acclaimed RYA approved courses. You can buy just the CD or a full package which includes all the learning materials required to complete the RYA qualification of your choice.