RYA sailing courses Saronic Gulf

George has a lifetime's experience at sea. He first skippered open whalers and cutters at the age of 12. He then spent 30 years in the Royal Navy, where he instructed in sailing, diving, seamanship, and sea survival. Since leaving the Navy he has taught both RYA and ASA courses in Greece. Apart from sailing, he likes blues, Irish and Scottish folk music, and is very interested in history. He is a keen cook and a shellfish expert. If you like oysters, he may even dive and get you some during your course!

Courses

Competent Crew
The Competent Crew course is suitable for complete novices as well as those with previous dinghy or yacht sailing experience. You will learn all the basics to make you a useful member of the crew. It provides an excellent foundation for those who want to go on to do a skipper's course.

Day Skipper
The Day Skipper (non-tidal) course is for those with sailing experience & knowledge of navigation who want to learn to skipper a cruising yacht. You will learn how to sail safely in the Mediterranean or other non-tidal seas. Following this course, there is an option to spend a week on your own flotilla yacht, where you can practice your new skills.

Coastal Skipper
The Coastal Skipper (non-tidal) course is for experienced skippers only. It is the highest level of RYA non-tidal sailing qualification. After successful completion of this course you can apply to take the Coastal Skipper examination.

Other Courses
In addition to our RYA practical courses, we offer various shore-based courses, including SRC and Sea Survival. We also run a couple of longer milebuilding cruises to the Cyclades in the spring and autumn.

Information about our Practical Courses
Our courses normally start at 18:00 on Sunday and finish by 16:00 on Friday, giving you five days tuition. With a maximum of four students on board this allows plenty of time for individual attention from the Instructor. During the week you should also be able to go swimming or do a little sightseeing.

School Yachts
Valentine is our main teaching yacht. She is an Atlantic 44ft sloop with excellent sailing performance. She was built in Greece in 1996 especially for cruising the Aegean.

LOA 13.30m - Beam 4.05m - Draft 2.40m
650L Water - 300L Diesel
3 cabins each with private toilet/shower
220v shorepower
Navtex, GPS chartplotter, GMDSS radio
Full Galley with fridge/2 burner stove/oven/grill
Swimming platform with shower
Big cockpit with cushions and removable cockpit table
Volvo Penta 59 hp engine
Quicksilver dinghy with 5Hp Outboard
Further details...

Hellas I
Hellas I is a brand new 43ft custom-built yacht, due for delivery in spring 2006. She is specially adapted to allow access by both able-bodied and disabled students, and has four roomy double cabins, two with wheelchair access. Full details will be included soon.

Our Sailing Area
Our courses cruise in the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs. Here the wind is normally F3 - F5, ideal for sailing. You can get stronger winds at times - these provide good experience and do not usually blow for more than a day at a time. The weather is sunny and dry from May to September. Outside these months you should expect the occasional thunderstorm and there may be some cloudy days.

The area provides plenty of variety with busy harbours near to Athens and unspoilt village quays on the Peloponnese coast. There are plenty of challenges for trainee skippers, with traffic separation schemes, sectional lights, and numerous fast boats and ferry routes to deal with. This is an attractive area and there will be time during the course for swimming and sight-seeing.

Sailing courses for the disabled
We offer Competent Crew and Day Skipper practical courses to those with a disability. This includes wheelchair users and the visually impaired. The courses will be available from mid-June on a custom-built yacht, Hellas I. Please enquire for further details.

"At first I found it a struggle to get used to the conditions, but after your warm and comforting welcome it did not take long to start relaxing and enjoying myself!! The rough seas and high winds were an adventure which I will never forget. The best part had to be the phosphorous water when we were all shimmering in the water. Thank you for everything and for making me discover the wonders of the sea! Martina (fender girl)"
Martina S. UK. (The weather was quite strong that week!). Charter with George and Melody from Aegina, July 2005

"What can I say? We both had a great time, are both determined to do Day Skipper theory between now and October 2007. If George and Melody are still in business then, we'll be booking well in advance to ensure that we once again have a great, enjoyable time with them.
Excellent course, very clear instruction”.
I hope that says it all.
Regards,
Sinead and Jason L. "
Competent Crew Sailing course from Aegina, October 2005.

"This was a honeymoon and learning trip so we wanted the course extended over 5 days. George accommodated perfectly, as did the weather. We were able to cover all beginning material plus we were able to do very unique things like put the spinnaker up. The week was very relaxing, with the right amount of work (we are both sore ) and we ate very well. Our initial form was read thoroughly and all requests for trip and food taken into account. Rian was very pleasant to be with and fun to talk to. We honestly would not do anything different.
Thank you for all of your help and advice for the rest of our trip as well!"
Kate -
"It was a real pleasure sailing with George. He made the trip (our honeymoon) not only informative from an instructional perspective but also very fun. Sailing with such an experienced and respected Captain was a pleasure. We would certainly consider George and his sailing school for additional study."
Todd -
Kate and Todd, USA, (honeymoon / sailing course and cruise), October 2007, Aegina - Aegina.

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Member of GNTO (Greek National Tourist Organisation) Odyssey Sailing is officially registered and bonded with the Greek National Tourist Organisation (GNTO - EOT). Licence Number : 00015 and is a member of the Hellenic Yacht Brokers Association (HYBA).

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SunflowerRose 2001

RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Sailing courses Greece Saronic Gulf islands - Aegina Sailing school

Courses

RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Sailing courses Greece
Saronic Gulf islands - Aegina Sailing school