An RYA Day Skipper, or RYA-approved course, is for those who have successfully completed an RYA-approved theory course in a licenced centre. This makes them qualified to safely navigate a yacht out at sea.

This includes having the knowledge and skills associated with being a skipper, such as making well-informed and sensible decisions about sailing your yacht, wind awareness and navigation, collision avoidance, regulations, and crew management.

It provides everything you need, both theoretically and practically, to become a confident and safe skipper. For a RYA Day Skipper Course, visit //www.solentboattraining.co.uk/rya-sailing-courses/rya-day-skipper-practical-sailing

How can I become a RYA Day Sailor?

It is recommended that you complete the RYA Competent Crew Course to become a RYA Day Skipper. This five-day course aims to teach those new to sailing the basics and safety at sea, including how to hoist a sail, and understanding nautical terminology.

The RYA Day Skipper theory course takes place in a classroom and is five days long. You will learn about navigation, pilotage, tides, and the ‘rules of sailing’. After completing the course successfully, you can plot courses, understand the weather system, and plan a general day’s sailing. This is exactly what you need in order to become a day skipper.

The practical course is also five days long, but takes place on the water. Under the supervision of your RYA instructor, you will learn basic skippers techniques. You will also learn about navigation, pilotage and anchoring. You’ll moor on pontoons or buoys.