Škola jachtingu — RYA Training Centre

RYA Competent Crew

Step into the world of sailing the right way. Learn to move safely and efficiently on board right from the start.

Course information

This course is designed for complete beginners or those with some prior sailing experience who want to improve their technique. Over the course of a week-long training, you will learn essential sailing skills, including sail handling, mooring techniques, and life at sea. You’ll practice steering a sailboat, tying knots, and understanding key safety principles, including how to handle emergency situations. By the end of the course, as the name suggests, you will become a competent and valued crew member on any sailing yacht. Laying a solid foundation in these essential skills will significantly ease your progression in your future sailing journey.

If you are planning to take a skipper course at any level, bring your partner, children, or friends along for the RYA Competent Crew course. In a safe and controlled environment, they will discover the beauty of sailing and become an invaluable support to you as a skipper on future voyages together.

Courses are taught in English by Slovak or Czech instructors.

Information & terms

Course length
6 dní (7 nocí) na lodi, kurz začíná vždy v sobotu večer a končí v pátek večer, s možností přespání do soboty rána
Age limit
Žádná, všeobecně se ale doporučuje alespoň 12 let
Examination
Není, účastník kurzu získá certifikát o absolvování
Doporučené předchozí zkušenosti
None
Course content
Námořní terminologie, námořní dovednosti a praktická práce posádky v nejrůznějších situacích, každodenní život na lodi
Literature
RYA Competent crew RYA Sail Cruising Scheme Syllabus and Logbook

Pricing information

The practical course fee includes: accommodation on a fully RYA-certified sailing yacht, including all fees, mooring in the home marina, instruction from an RYA-certified instructor, course materials, and certification fees.

The course fee does not include: harbor fees outside the home marina, fuel consumed during the week, and food costs (shared equally among participants), as well as personal and travel insurance and transportation to the course location.

The meal plan is arranged by the crew, but typically, a joint grocery purchase is made before departure. Breakfast, snacks, and light lunches are usually prepared on board, while dinners are either on board or at a restaurant, depending on crew preference (usually a combination of both).

Before the course, we can connect all registered participants to coordinate shared transportation and other arrangements.

What to bring on board

Clothing
Waterproof outer layers, light-soled deck shoes (or sailing boots), and everyday clothes to keep you warm and dry – it can be cold and wet, and the course includes night sailing. Gloves for handling lines, ideally sailing gloves. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Equipment
Seasickness medication. Your own navigation tools or books on navigation and weather, if you have them. A head torch is handy but not essential.
Other
One passport photo. We recommend travel and accident insurance.
Luggage
Soft and easy to stow. There is nowhere on board to store a suitcase or a rigid-frame backpack.

FAQ

Do I need any experience?

No, the course is for complete beginners. The recommended minimum age is 12.

What if I get seasick?

Bring seasickness medication and ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. We sail so that everyone gets used to the motion.

What should I pack?

Waterproof outer layers, light-soled deck shoes, warm clothes for night sailing, gloves for handling lines, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Also seasickness medication and one passport photo. Bring a soft bag – there is nowhere to stow a suitcase on board. The full list is in the What to bring on board section.

What will I learn?

The crew's job: knots, handling lines and sails, helming, safety on deck and what to do when someone falls overboard. You will not skipper the yacht yourself after the course – that is what RYA Day Skipper is for.

Can I come with a partner who is doing Day Skipper?

Yes, both courses run on the same yacht on the same dates. You learn the crew's role while your partner skippers the boat.

General questions about RYA courses →