Focusing on personal safety, good seamanship and the importance of teamwork.

An introduction to the basic principles of big boat sailing, teaching important safety and seamanship skills. This is the foundation level for further training when you will build on the skills learnt on this week-long course.

Level 1 training focuses primarily on personal safety, goodseamanship and the importance of teamwork. As a crew member you will learn all of the basic crewing skills which will become the bedrock of your sailing expertise. The course focuses on personal safety, good seamanship and the importance of teamwork on board.

You will sail on a Clipper 60, the yachts that completed the first four Clipper Race circumnavigations and an ideal training boat. You and your crew will embark on a series of day sails, initially within the sheltered waters of the Solent before venturing out into the English Channel where you will experience a wide variety of weather conditions both during the day and at night. You will get your first experience of working in a watch system.

During the week you will develop crewing skills and a good understanding of how to operate safely and as a team on a powerful yacht. By the end of the week you will have acquired a good knowledge of sailing and understand how to carry out an array of manoeuvres, including being able to tack, gybe, change sails and reef as well as having a good understanding of what life on board will be like. This is a challenging week but by the end of it you will realise that not only have you mastered the basics of sailing but you have made new friends and shared an experience you will never forget.

RYA Qualification: RYA Competent Crew
Boats: Clipper 60
Total duration: 7 days
Time on water: 6.5 days

Course Content: