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RYA Competent Crew

This entry-level course in the RYA Sail Cruising scheme gives you the solid foundation for a lifetime of sailing. Safety is always the first priority, while the unique waters around Lanzarote and the Canary Islands offer the perfect training ground: sometimes calm and gentle, but more often lively and challenging.

 

You’ll learn how to move safely around the boat, handle lines and winches with confidence, and become familiar with all essential safety equipment on board. Once you feel secure and comfortable at sea, the real fun and learning begins — trimming sails, steering, taking a watch, and truly becoming part of the crew. You will leave this 6-day RYA Training week as a valuable  crew member on any sailing adventure, or take the next step towards your RYA Dayskipper course.

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Up for a week of intense training? Join a Yachtmaster training week!

The Competent Crew syllabus

  • Find your way around the boat — learn the parts of the yacht, the rigging and sails, and understand everyday commands.

  • Handle sails with confidence — hoist, reef, trim, and stow sails, working with sheets, halyards, and winches.

  • Master essential ropework — coil, secure, and handle ropes with ease, and tie all the key knots every sailor should know.

  • Stay safe at sea — understand fire precautions, use of lifejackets and harnesses, and the correct actions in emergencies, including man overboard recovery.

  • Operate safety and emergency equipment — from firing a flare to launching a liferaft.

  • Respect good seamanship — including onboard etiquette, courtesy in harbour, and protecting the marine environment.

  • Anchoring - how to drop and weigh the anchor

  • Mooring buoys - techniques for picking up a buoy 

  • Learn the basics of navigation and watchkeeping — keep a good lookout and understand the “rules of the road” at sea.

  • Gain dinghy skills — row and handle a dinghy safely.

  • Read the weather — use forecasts and the Beaufort scale to understand conditions.

  • Helm under sail and power — steer a compass course, trim sails on all points, and truly feel the yacht respond.

  • Be part of the crew — from daily routines to teamwork, you’ll experience the rhythm of  life at sea.

Is this the right course for you?

  • You have some experience as a "passenger" on a sailing yacht, you enjoyed it, but now want become a useful crew member.

  • You are completely new to sailing, and are curious to find out if it is "for me". You'll be warned: the answer is likely to beYES

  • You aim for the RYA Dayskipper course and certificate, but lack the required experience in yacht sailing​

During the 6 days on the water there will be sufficient time to cover the syllabus thoroughly.  When you are eager to learn more you can get involved in some of the Dayskipper course routines, like navigation and boathandling with the engine. 

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Who can join?

Before stepping onboard it is important that you:

  • have a reasonable level of physical fitness   (able to step on and off the boat unassisted)

  • can communicate in English at conversational level

  • are easy to get along with (you have to share your living space on fewer square meters than EU prison regulations allow)

     

Need to know: 

Course Duration: from Saturday 16.00 till Saturday 09.00 - 6 days on the water, 7 nights onboard

Price: starting at €1250, including breakfast, lunch and beverages onboard, marina fees, fuel and use of bedding and lifejacket.

Availability: check the <calendar> under "RYA and Skipper training" and "Yachtmaster training".

Your instructor: Richard van der Veen

The boat: a comfortable and fast Salona 45 with 4 double cabins and 2 heads (toilet/showers)

Home port: Marina Lanzarote, Arrecife

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