RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Sailing courses
Greece
Saronic Gulf islands from Poros
Poros Yachting Academy is an Anglo Greek sailing school
based on the island of Poros in the Saronic Gulf. One hour by hydrofoil
from Athens. The company is registered in the UK and is RYA recognised
sailing centre as well as the Hellenic Sailin g
Association.
 Our
sailing area covers the Islands of the Saronic Gulf which include
Spetses, Hydra, Agistri and Aegina as well as the east coast of the
Peloponese, offering ideal and predictable sailing conditions and
reliable sunshine throughout the season.
Our courses operate from February to November with a range of both
live-aboard and shore based practical and theory courses available.
Most of our courses follow the RYA Sail Cruising syllabus and result
in qualifications that are internationally recognised. We also offer
non-RYA courses, some aimed specifically at clients on flotilla holidays.
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PRACTICAL COURSES
These can be booked per person on our scheduled tuition yacht which will accommodate up to a maximum of 5 students with our qualified English speaking instructor. Alternatively, if you are chartering your own yacht for a holiday, we also offer an own yacht tuition option, where all or part of your party (up to maximum 5 students) can participate in the tuition. This can be a mixed ability group with some crew members qualifying at different levels according to previous experience and ability.
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Start Yachting Course
This course provides a short introduction to sail cruising for novices.
By the end of the course, you will have experienced steering a yacht,
sail handling, ropework and be aware of safety on board. The Start
Yachting course is, in effect, the first 2 days of the Competent Crew
course.
Previous experience required: None
Recommended reading: RYA Competent crew handbook (ref CCPCN)
Duration of course: 2 days
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Competent Crew Course
This course will teach you how to be a competent crew member of a
cruising yacht. With successful completion of the course you will
be able to steer the yacht under sail and power, understand the principles
of sailing and points of sail, sail trim, safety routines such as
'man over board', understand knots and rope-work, row a dinghy and
generally safely contribute to daily routines. Children over 9 can
be awarded a Competent Crew certificate, whilst learning to sail in
such an attractive and warm environment is a pleasant holiday in it's
own right.
Previous experience required: NONE
Recommended reading: RYA Competent crew handbook (ref CCPCN)
Duration of Course: 6 days
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Day Skipper (non-tidal)
This course is for those who already have some sailing experience
and knowledge of navigation, and wish to progress to skipper level.
The course provides a good foundation for you to safely and confidently
skipper a cruising yacht, skipper a flotilla yacht and is recognised
by charter companies in Greece and elsewhere.
On this course you will learn to skipper a yacht safely in non-tidal
waters. In addition to boat handling and pilotage, the emphasis is
on giving you experience of being in charge. You will be asked to
skipper the yacht on a short passage, with the instructor on hand
to give advice and encouragement. The course also covers preparation
of a yacht for sea, yacht handling under sail and power,navigation,
pilotage and passage making, rules of the road, emergency situations,
meteorology and basic boat maintenance.
As we are in Greece, you will get plenty of practice in techniques
like 'Med mooring' so you will be able to moor safely and competently
and look professional when you bring your own boat into the quay.
Previous minimum experience: 5 days / 100 miles, including 4 night
hours
Theoretical knowledge: RYA Day Skipper Shorebased, or equivalent level
from experience/self study. For students requiring additional assistance
with areas of the shore based course, supplementary tuition during
the 6 day practical course is available at a supplement.
Recommended Reading: RYA Day Skipper-shorebased handbook (Ref DSN),
for students who have completed the shorebased course. The Complete
Day Skipper (Tom Cunliffe), RYA Navigation handbook (Ref G6) &
exercises (ref G7)
Duration of Course: 6 days
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Coastal Skipper (non-tidal)
This sailing course is for experienced skippers only. This is an advanced
course for those with considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation.
It is the highest level of non-tidal course under the RYA scheme.
You will learn the skills needed to skipper a yacht safely, by day
or night, throughout the Mediterranean and other non tidal waters.
As well as advanced boat-handling under power and sail, dealing with
heavy weather passage planning and pilotage, at least one long night
passage will be undertaken.
Coastal Skipper examinations for those who have successfully completed
the practical course and have the appropriate theory certificates
can be arranged.
Previous minimum experience: We recommend that you have at least 10
days experience as skipper and ideally hold a day skipper certificate.
Theoretical knowledge: RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shorebased
or equivalent. For students requiring additional assistance with areas
of the shore based course, supplementary tuition during the 6 day
practical course is available at a supplement
Duration of Course: 6 days
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RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore Preparation
& Examinations
This course is designed for those advanced sailors who want to take
the RYA/MCA exams for a Certificate of Competence - Coastal Skipper
or Yachtmaster Offshore. The 6 day course is split into 4½
days training and 1½ days of examination and recovery! The
training will cover boat handling, navigation, pilotage, safety with
an emphasis on crew and yacht management.
Certification required before exam: Restricted (VHF only) Radio Operator's
Certificate First Aid Certificate
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 THEORY COURSES
The shorebased courses are designed to complement the practical courses.
The longer courses, Day Skipper Shorebased for example, giving essential
background information for the practical courses. The shorter courses
cover subjects that are important to give students a rounded knowledge.
Our shorebased courses are run in Poros.
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Day Skipper Shorebased
A comprehensive introduction to chart work, navigation, meteorology
and the basics of seamanship. You will learn how to make decisions
on board regarding the safe passage of the vessel you are skippering.
Previous experience required: Some practical experience desirable
Assumed knowledge: None
Duration of course: 5 days (40 hours, 2 exam papers, plus "homework")
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Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased
This is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates
for the Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate.
Previous experience required: Day Skipper Shorebased course
Assumed knowledge: Navigation to Day Skipper Shorebased standard
Duration of course: 6 days (40 hours, 3 exam papers, plus "homework")
COMBINED THEORY & PRACTICAL COURSES
PYA has introduced the combined theory and practical courses to allow
students to quickly advance through a stage in the RYA Sail Cruising
Scheme. Taking a shorebased course immediately followed by the practical
course allows you to put all that you have learnt into practice immediately.
Day Skipper
This is a two week package combines the RYA Day Skipper theory &
practical courses.
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Courses on the Tuition Yacht
When clients book on the tuition yacht the school provides:
- An instructor
- Breakfast and a light lunch
- Bedding
- Waterproof clothing (when required - not swim suits though!!)
- Fuel
- Mooring Fees
It does not provide/guarantee, unless specific arrangements have
been made:
- A separate cabin (couples may request a double, if available)
- Evening meals (clients are welcome to cook on board rather than
eat ashore)
- Towels
Own Boat Courses
An instructor, who must be fed and accommodated
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Shorebased Courses
What is provided:
- An instructor
- A suitable teaching room with any equipment required
What is not provided:
- Accommodation
- Note pad, writing implements
- Day Skipper & Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster: plotter, dividers
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Sailing Area
Our sailing courses are generally in the Saronic Gulf where conditions
are predictable and ideal for sailing. The weather is almost always
sunny and warm. Wind strength is normally F3 - 5. Our base and starting
point is on the island of Poros where we also operate the shore based
and pre flotilla courses. Poros is a long established yachting bases
and an attractive holiday island with the proud history.
The more advanced live aboard courses will typically visit other islands
such as Aegina, Agistre, Hydra and Spetses as well as attractive Peloponese
coast. There are plenty of challenges for trainee skippers, with stronger
winds, traffic separation schemes, sectional lights, and numerous
fast boats and busy ferry ports to deal with.
This is an scenic and beautiful area and there will be ample time
during the course for swimming off the boat, sight-seeing and exploring.
You will find information about some of the places you can visit on
our Links page. They include spectacular ancient ruins, picturesque
fishing villages and attractive historic towns. The area maintains
its traditional Greek character and, although you will find foreign
tourists, resorts are geared to Athenian holidaymaker rather than
the package tourists, which is always a good sign for authentic cuisine
and quality.
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Tuition Yacht
Sun Odyssey 37.1 L.O.A.: 11.40m, L.W.L.: 9.70m, Beam: 3.89m,
Draft: 1.87m, Sail Area: 68.5m2, Engine: Yanmar 48 HP, Water: 400
lt, Cabins/Berths: 3/6-8, Toilets: 2, Showers: 2
Sun Odyssey 35 L.O.A. 10.75 m, L.W.L. 9.74 m, Beam: 3.49 m,, Engine: Yanmar (29hp), Fuel Capacity: 130 lt, Water Capacity: 310lt, Cabins:3, Berths: 6, Toilet: 1, Showers: 1
Please contact us for current prices and availability.
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Other voices:
"Our experience with this course has been
marvelous and it was certainly the highlight of our visit to
Greece. The boat was comfortable, the atmosphere with the other
students was friendly and collegial and the hands-on practice
offered by the course was very valuable.
Karen and I share the view that the most critical factor was
the outstanding teaching ability of our instructor Mike Gregory
at PYA. From the outset, he put us at ease, he communicated
clearly the rules, and he was engaging in all aspects of our
training. He demanded attention to detail, he was encouraging
when we felt pressured or frustrated with our lack of skills,
and he was quite fair in his feeback with all students. Teachers
with such a high level of professionalism must be hard to come
by and we congratulate your school for setting high standards
in this area.
We learned a lot and we are motivated to come back, perhaps
as part of a flottila in the future. Until then, and in preparation
for a coastal skipper exam, we need to put quite a few miles
in our log book with our boat in Newfoundland...
Best regards,
George C. (Canada)
PS. I will be sending the feedback forms to the UK and pictures
to you in the next few days."
George and his wife Karen successfully completed the RYA Day
Skipper course in October 2009.
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Odyssey
Sailing is officially registered and bonded with the Greek National
Tourist Organisation (GNTO - EOT). Licence Number : 00015 and is a
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