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RYA sailing courses in Greece

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The RYA Training Scheme

The RYA Training Scheme is acknowledged as one of the finest in the world. Certificates obtained by successful completion of the scheme's various levels are recognised by insurers and maritime authorities as proof of competence. At the scheme's highest levels, the certificates awarded can provide professional qualifications, recognised under maritime law and by marine related businesses.

The scheme encompasses the entire spectrum of experience, from complete beginner to professional skipper. It is a progressive process, in other words, you work your way through the levels over a period of time. You can enter the scheme at any level (provided you have the necessary experience for the course chosen). Complete beginners should start with the Competent Crew course. Thereafter, the syllabus progresses through Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster. These courses also have associated shore based theory courses which, amongst other things, teach candidates navigation, seamanship and meteorology.

Practical sailing courses are usually 5 or 6 days and take the form of a cruise around local islands and bays. In other words, you will not day sail from a marina! Your yacht will be skippered by a fully qualified RYA Instructor who will provide tuition throughout the cruise which always includes some night sailing. The ratio for teaching is 1 Instructor for up to 5 candidates.

The following RYA courses are a guide to what we can offer in Greece (click on the links for further details). For details of what each RYA schools offers, please visit the appropriate pages.

Start Yachting - 2 day course for beginners

Competent crew - 5 day practical course for beginners

Day Skipper (non-tidal)
- 5 day practical course
- 2 day shore-based theory course
- 7 day combined non tidal package.

Coastal Skipper

Yachtmaster

Yachtmaster Ocean

Commercial endorsement

ICC - International certificate of Compentency
Courses are available from authorised RYA sailing schools with highly experienced RYA instructors in the Ionion (Corfu), the Sporades islands (Skiathos) and the Saronic Gulf (Aegina and Poros).

1. Start Yachting

In 2005 the RYA introduced a brand new, two day course designed for complete beginners. 'Start Yachting' is the ideal way of finding out whether yachting is the sport for you. Having successfully completed the course, clients are awarded a RYA certificate and a log book recording their experience. The time spent on the water will be recognised for any future RYA courses for those wishing to progress. This course is perfect for those holidaying in Corfu and wishing to gain their first experience of yachting.

The Syllabus

  • The yacht: Basic knowledge of sea terms, parts of a boat, her rigging and sails.
  • Ropework: Ability to tie the following knots: figure of eight, round turn and two half hitches, bowline. Securing a rope to a cleat. Use of winches and jamming cleats.
  • Underway: Has experienced sailing a yacht on all points of sail. Can steer a yacht under sail or power.
  • Rules of the road: Can keep an efficient lookout at sea.
  • Meteorology: Knows where to obtain a weather forecast.
  • Man Overboard recovery: Understands the action to be taken to recover a man overboard.
    Clothing and equipment: Understands and complies with the rules for the wearing of safety harnesses, life-jackets and personal buoyancy aids.
  • Emergency equipment and precautions: Is aware of hazards on board a yacht. Knows the action to be taken in the event of an emergency .

Instructor/student ratio 5:1
Duration: 2 Days

2. Competent Crew


Aim: A practical course run over 5 consecutive days or 3 weekends. This course is designed to turn a complete beginner into a useful member of a yacht's crew. You will leave our home port on a school yacht and return only at the end of the course having visited a number of other local harbours and bays. You will do some night sailing, learn how to live on and operate the yacht, learn the basics of sailing, understand how to be safe at sea and become familiar with the language of sailing.
Previous Experience: None
Course length: 5 days practical (5 days and nights aboard the school yacht)
Syllabus: Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat - Sail handling - Rope work - Fire Precautions and fighting - Personal safety equipment - Man overboard drill - Emergency equipment - Manners and customs - Rules of the road - Dinghies - Meteorology - Seasickness - Helmsmanship and sailing - General duties.

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3. Day Skipper

RYA trainingThe first big step towards moving from being a crew member to a yacht skipper. After successful completion of this course you will be considered qualified to skipper a small family cruiser, in daylight and in settled weather, to and from ports you are already familiar with.This course is the foundation for anyone intending to get seriously involved in yachting.

We can offer this course in various packages depending on your previous knowledge and experience. See below:

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5 day 'Day Skipper' practical sailing course

The Course: Teaches pilotage, navigation, seamanship and boat handling up to the standard required to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in non-tidal waters with which the student is familiar

Course Duration: 5 days

Previous Experience: 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours - Basic navigation and sailing ability

Syllabus: Preparation for seas - Deck work - Navigation - Pilotage - Meteorology - Rules of the road - Maintenance and repair work - Engines - Victualling - Emergency situations - Yacht handling under power - Yacht handling under sail - Passage making.

Pre-Course Preparation*: Obtain and read the RYA 'Day Skipper' booklets. Study, 'International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea' or contact us to have it ordered for you.

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7 day 'Day Skipper' practical and theory package (non-tidal)

This course has been designed for the growing number of clients that wish to obtain a Day Skipper qualification solely to charter yachts in the Med. It is ideal for dinghy sailors wishing to convert to yachts, or those that have crewing experience on friends yachts and now wish to become skippers. The 'on water' syllabus is the same as our standard Day Skipper practical course however, this is preceded by two days in the classroom during which we will teach you the basics of navigation in non-tidal waters.

The Course: Teaches pilotage, navigation, seamanship and boat handling up to the standard required to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in non-tidal waters with which the student is familiar

Course Duration: 2 Days in the classroom followed by 5 days on the water

Previous Experience: 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours - Basic navigation and sailing ability

Syllabus: Preparation for seas - Deck work - Navigation - Pilotage - Meteorology - Rules of the road - Maintenance and repair work - Engines - Victualling - Emergency situations - Yacht handling under power - Yacht handling under sail - Passage making.

Pre-Course Preparation: Obtain and read the RYA 'Day Skipper' booklets. Study, 'International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea', or contact us to have it ordered for you.

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Shorebased navigation and seamanship theory courses.

The Course: Day Skipper Theory. Provides a comprehensive introduction to navigation, IRPCS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at sea), meteorology and seamanship

Course Duration: 2 days
Previous Experience: None
Syllabus: Nautical terms - Rope work - Anchor work - Safety - IRPCS - Definition of position, course and speed - Navigational charts and publications - Navigational drawing instruments - Compasses - Chart work - Position Fixing - Tides and tidal streams - Visual aids to navigation - Meteorology - Passage planning - Navigation in restricted visibility - Pilotage.

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3. Coastal Skipper- practical course

The Course: An intermediate level course suitable for those with a moderate level of experience. The course aims to teach the skills and techniques required to skipper a yacht safely on coastal and offshore passages by day and night within any part of the Mediterranean or Baltic Seas. Note: This is the non-tidal version of this valuable qualification. We can also arrange for examination of the tidal version (if you have the neccessary tidal miles). Call to discuss.

Course Duration: 5 days
Previous Experience: 30 days, 2 as skipper, 800miles, 12 night hours. Restricted (VHF only) Radio Operator's Certificate. First Aid certificate. Navigation to Day skipper theory standard.

Syllabus: Passage planning - Preparation for sea - Pilotage - Passage making and ability as skipper - Yacht handling under power - Yacht handling under sail - Adverse weather conditions - Emergency situations

Pre-Course Preparation: Obtain and read the RYA 'Coastal Skipper' booklets. Study, 'International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea'.

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4. Yachtmaster

The pinnacle of the RYA Training Scheme. Yachtmaster has been designed to recognise experienced sailors capable of undertaking complex, extended passages in any weather conditions in both tidal and non-tidal waters.

RYA Yachtmaster practical sailing course

The Course: To prepare experienced candidates for the coveted Yachtmaster practical exam. This is the pinnacle of the RYA training scheme and requires considerable knowledge and experience. Successful candidates will be qualified to undertake complex offshore passages under all conditions. We can arrange for the course to conclude with the examination itself which is conducted by an independent RYA Examiner.

Course Duration: 5 days (plus 2 days optional examination)

Previous Experience: 50 days, 5 as skipper. 2,500 miles (of which over 50% must be in tidal waters). 5 passages over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper. Restricted (VHF only) Radio Operator's Certificate. First Aid certificate. Navigation to Coastal Skipper theory standard.

Syllabus: Passage planning - Preparation for sea - Pilotage - Passage making and ability as skipper - Yacht handling under power - yacht handling under sail - Adverse weather conditions - Emergency situations.

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Yachtmaster Ocean

A 5 day theory course that teaches celestial navigation and ocean meteorology. Candidates subsequently need to complete an ocean passage of over 500 miles and sit an oral exam before the endorsement is awarded.

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Commercial Endorsement

Required to work professionally as a yacht skipper. This endorsement is awarded after successful completion of a Sea Survival Course and a medical examination.

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Additional Courses

International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

The Course: Preparation and examination for the International Certificate of Competence. This is recognised, in most European countries, as the minimum requirement to comply with licensing regulations. Please note: we can only offer this to citiznes or bona-fide residents of the UK (sorry, EU rules, not ours!).

Course Duration: 2 days

Previous Experience: Previous experience and study necessary (call to discuss).

Syllabus: Boat handling - lights and shapes - IRPCS - Man overboard recovery - Basic navigation.

Pre-Course Preparation: Obtain and read the RYA 'Day Skipper' booklets. Study, 'International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea', ensure that you have at least 500 miles under your belt in charge of a small craft.

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First Aid
A 1 day course that teaches practical first aid techniques that can be used onboard a yacht at sea. (Required for Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster candidates).

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SRC Restricted (VHF) Radio Operators Licence
A 1 day course that concludes with a test. Successful candidates will be awarded an internationally recognised Operator's Certificate (required by law in most countries). (Required for Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster candidates).

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Sea Survival
A 1 day course that with lectures about survival techniques and a practical pool session during which you will launch and board a life-raft. (Required for those wishing to add a commercial endorsement to their Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence).

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Mile Building Cruises
2 and 5 day cruises to help candidates build the miles necessary to undertake the scheme's more advanced courses.

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Non-tidal courses

As a RYA recognised training centre in the Mediterranean we teach the RYA non-tidal syllabus for all practical courses. This has been designed for those seeking to sail, primarily, in the Med and Baltic seas. Our theory courses, however, cover tidal streams, heights and predictions. The certificates we award for Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper practical course completion are marked 'non-tidal'. For those wishing to convert to the tidal version we can arrange 2 day courses back in the UK with partner schools.

There is no non-tidal version of the Yachtmaster qualification . We can, however, arrange for candidates to take their Yachtmaster exam here in Greece and provide preparation course for those with the necessary experience.

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* In most cases it is possible to complete a practical course without having completed a theory course but students must be able to show that they have independently reached a similar level of knowledge. There is not enough time on a practical course to re-teach the theory syllabus! Like the higher levels of certification described below, it is the practical certificate that provides the recognised qualification. The theory part of the course is simply that - the practical course teaches you how to apply the knowledge in a real marine environment. You will be awarded a certificate only on being able to successfully demonstrate your practical competence at that level.

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Hellenic Yacht Brokers Association

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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