RYA Practical Courses
Learn to have full control of your boat and earn the most recognized qualification for recreational sailors worldwide.
Top Instructors
The absolute best in their field
Revamped System
Focused on developing practical skills
RYA Certificate
The most respected qualification in the world
Courses overview
Our RYA courses focus on handling recreational sailing yachts up to 24 meters in length. During the course, you will not only learn what a skilled skipper needs to know but also put it into practice—all under the guidance of a patient and experienced instructor. Our graduates are well-prepared for a career as a recreational skipper, and we also provide many opportunities for further development.
Experienced sailors do not have to start from the beginning of the training scheme—simply choose the level that matches your experience and embark on a high-quality learning journey. We guarantee that you will learn something new that will make your sailing life easier.
For those interested in becoming professional skippers, we also offer the possibility of obtaining a Commercial Endorsement—a certification issued by the UK’s MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency), allowing you to operate vessels for commercial purposes.
Our courses place a strong emphasis on safety and efficiency, which are inherently linked to the ability to communicate with all relevant parties at sea. As this is a British certification, at least a basic level of English communication is required.
RYA Competent Crew
Step into the world of sailing the right way. Learn to move safely and efficiently on board right from the start.
None
Ability to steer, handle sails, maintain situational awareness, and assist with all daily onboard activities.
RYA Day Skipper Theory
A comprehensive introduction to chart work, navigation, meteorology and basic good seamanship
At least some experience with sailing
Fundamentals of coastal navigation and boat management, including chart plotting, position fixing, course setting, weather forecasting, tides and currents, as well as International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS).
RYA Day Skipper Practical
Learn the basics of safe, efficient, and responsible boat handling, as well as how to command your crew.
Theoretical knowledge equivalent to RYA Day Skipper Theory
Practical experience with sailing at sea
5 days on the sea, 100 miles sailed, 4 hours sailed at night
Recommended: SHort Range Certificate (VHF operator)
Can command a recreational sailing yacht in familiar waters
RYA Coastal Skipper/ Yachmaster Theory
Advanced course for experienced skippers who want to safely navigate coastal and offshore passages
Theoretical knowledge at the Day Skipper Theory level
Practical experience in maritime sailing
In-depth understanding of navigation, meteorology, tides and currents, pilotage, passage planning, and electronic navigation techniques
RYA Coastal Skipper Practical
A course for those who already have some knowledge of sailing and navigation and want to do coastal sailing day and night
Theoretical knowledge equivalent to RYA Yachtmaster Theory
Practical skills at least at the level of an RYA Day Skipper graduate
15 days at sea, 2 as skipper, 300 nautical miles sailed, 8 hours of night sailing
Recommended: Short Range Certificate (VHF license) and RYA Sea Survival Course
Qualified to command a yacht on coastal voyages, both day and night.
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal + RYA/MCA exam
Holders of this certificate possess all the knowledge required to command a yacht on longer coastal passages
Theoretical knowledge equivalent to RYA Yachtmaster Theory
30 days at sea, 2 as skipper, 800 nautical miles sailed (at least half in tidal waters), 12 hours of night sailing
Mandatory: VHF license and at least basic English communication skills
Recommended: RYA Sea Survival Course and RYA First Aid Course
Can lead a yacht in coastal waters by day and night. Holds theoretical knowledge equivalent to Yachtmaster Offshore but may lack offshore sailing experience
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore + RYA/MCA exam
A skipper with this qualification is able to lead a sailing boat on cruises where no knowledge of astronavigation is required
Theoretical knowledge at the RYA Yachtmaster Theory level.
50 days at sea (5 as skipper), 2,500 nautical miles sailed (at least half in tidal waters), 5 passages over 60 nautical miles (including 2 at night and 2 as skipper)
Mandatory: VHF license and proficiency in English for maritime communication
Recommended: RYA Sea Survival, RYA First Aid, and Diesel Engine courses
A skipper capable of commanding a recreational sailing yacht on any voyage that does not require knowledge of celestial navigation
FAQ
What is the validity of the RYA certification?
It is the prerogative of each State to determine which certificates are suitable for navigation in its waters. However, the RYA is widely recognised as the best certification for recreational sailors. Not only for its notorious emphasis on quality education, but also for the authority represented by the certification of a British maritime power with a long history of yachting success and an education methodology honed to its most effective form over more than 150 years.
What is the difference between RYA and other certifications (C,B,A)?
The RYA training scheme assumes that you want to learn, so it has little need to restrict you. No restrictions on distance from the coast, RYA certificates contain information about what you can do, not what you can’t. But of course they appeal to common sense and that you are aware of your limits and want to improve.
RYA instructors undergo extensive training, and earning this qualification is not only a testament to their high-level sailing skills but also to their ability to teach effectively with a human approach. They must renew their certification every 5 years, ensuring that the knowledge they pass on is always up-to-date and technically correct.
RYA je též známá svým důrazem na kvalitu vzdělání a jakožto certifikace britské námořní velmoci je i celosvětově akceptováná a uznávaná.
What can I expect from RYA courses?
- A truly individual approach – there is always a maximum of 5 students on our practical courses
- Great emphasis on practice – all manoeuvres are fully in the hands of the students, the instructor takes the helm only in necessary or illustrative moments
- Emphasis on safety – not only personal but also for the entire crew
- Thorough training of not only basic but also emergency manoeuvres
- Logical, easy to follow and remember procedures for performing individual actions
- All activities and procedures in accordance with best maritime practice.
What is the difference between a "Captain" and a "Skipper"?
It’s similar to studying medicine—becoming a “captain” is like earning a specialization after years of study, while a “skipper” is more comparable to completing a first aid course in just a few days. Out of respect for the education and expertise of captains, we refer to various licenses on our website as “skipper qualifications”, as our language lacks a more precise term. However, we are still talking about certifications that authorize you to charter a recreational sailing yacht, similar to those commonly known as “captain’s licenses.”
Do I have to start with RYA Competent Crew, even if I am an experienced sailor?
Each course description includes recommended previous experience. If yours is sufficient for your chosen level, feel free to sign up for it.
What does the exam consist of?
There is no formal exam on the RYA Day Skipper and RYA Coastal Skipper courses, it is an “assesment”. So the instructor goes through everything you need to know, you assess and consult your skills together and at the end of the week a decision is made to award certification based on improvement and achievement of the prescribed standards. Since our instructors are truly top experts in their field, the number of unsuccessful candidates is extremely low.
For the RYA Yachtmaster certification, an external examiner boards the yacht during the final two days of the course. They assign comprehensive tasks covering all required skills, and the certification is awarded based on successful completion. All the knowledge and skills needed for this assessment can be gained through our courses.
Do I have to take the theory course before the practical course?
To obtain a practical certificate, you need to have the required theoretical knowledge. Whether you gain it through prior experience or by taking a theory course with us is entirely up to you. The advantage of our training is that it can also be completed online from the comfort of your home, and we highly recommend it for its clarity and efficiency. It includes animations, simulations, and real recordings, which are far more effective than self-studying with books. However, we urge you to come to the course with the necessary theoretical knowledge, however you acquire it. Once you have a sailboat for practical training, it’s a real shame to spend time in the bilge on theory
Why choose an RYA education?
The path you take is entirely up to you, but if you choose RYA, you are guaranteed high-quality, structured education focused on practical skill development from the very start. This approach prevents the need to unlearn bad habits later in your sailing career. Why try the lottery when you can play it safe?
What if I’m already a certified skipper but want to improve my skills or don’t yet feel confident skippering my own boat?
Our school is not limited to skipper courses, but we provide a truly comprehensive education. In addition to RYA certified courses, our portfolio includes:
– Conditioning cruises in unconventional areas of the world and special conditions
– Emergency skills courses – sea rescue and first aid in remote areas
– Trimming and sport sailing courses
– Opportunity to practice sailing regularly in courses or on your own sailboat
– Organization of corporate regattas, teambuilding and recreational stays within easy reach of the Marina Liptov Resort
Make your wish and we will turn it into reality