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Travel from Italy and Learn to Sail in the UK

RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Yacht Sailing Courses are all grouped within the RYA ‘Cruising Scheme’. Aspiring sailors from across Italy can obtain the highly sought after and globally RYA Cruising Scheme sailing course qualifications through First Class Sailing. The sailing courses, provided by our experienced and friendly instructors, cater for all levels of ability and experience - whether you are a complete novice or an ocean sailor.

Travel from Italy and Learn to Sail in the UK with First Class Sailing

Close to Southampton Airport

Aspiring Sailors from Italy can easily attend a First Class Sailing course to obtain a highly sought after Royal Yachting Association (RYA) qualification.

The sailing courses are provided by our experienced, patient and friendly instructors who are used to dealing with a wide range of abilities. So whether you are a complete beginner or really quite experienced come and join us.

RYA Yacht Sailing Courses all come under the RYA ‘Cruising Scheme’. There are 3 categories of courses:

Shorebased Theory navigation classes. These can be taken in a classroom or online from anywhere in the world.

Practical Sailing Courses. These happen on a sailing yacht. You sleep on board and all food is provided.

One Day Supplementary courses. For Example Diesel Engine Maintenance, SRC VHF Radio, First Aid, Sea Survival.

Language

A large percentage of our customers are from abroad and have English as a second language.

We are used to dealing with customers from a wide range of countries and many Italians that live and work in London as well as those that live in Italy come to take our courses. You need to speak and understand English to participate in these courses.

That is an RYA rule. Do not worry though if you do not know all the English names for parts of a boat. You will soon pick them up.

Online Sailing Courses

Navigation classes can be taken in a classroom. They are usually in London and are held over 2 and ½ weekends or over 7 weeks (1 evening a week) and a weekend. This is perhaps not particularly convenient if you are coming from Italy!

Of more interest will probably be the online version of these navigation classes. We send you some course materials and a username and login. You can then take the course at your leisure from anywhere you happen to be in the world as long as you have an internet connection. Email and phone support is provided if required.

Online theory navigation courses are:

For those seeking a commercial endorsement the Professional Practices and Responsibilities (PPR) Course can also be taken online here.

Practical Sailing Courses

RYA Practical sailing courses take place from both Southampton on the UK’s South Coast (in the Solent). Southampton base postcode is SO14 5QL.

Practical sailing courses are held on our clean, well maintained, heated and modern yachts. Accommodation is on board the yachts and it is recommended that you stay on board the yacht the night before your course starts. All food on board is provided for. We can cater for all any dietary requirements.

Our practical sailing classes include:

Shore-based One Day Courses for Sailors

These one day courses are a compliment to the practical sailing courses and take place at various venues in London, usually on Saturdays and Sundays.

Choose from:

Venues in London are selected so that they are easily accessible via the underground. We can suggest hotels nearby should you wish to stay overnight.

Travelling to the UK from Italy for Sailing Courses

Travelling to the UK from Italy for RYA sailing courses is easier than you may first think.

You can fly from one of Italy’s airports directly to any London Airport to take the London or Southampton courses. You can then either hire a car or take a train.

For the Southampton based courses see if you can get a flight to Southampton Airport. From there it is a 15/20 minute taxi ride. If you can't get a flight to Southampton Airport fly to London Gatwick or London Heathrow. From here you can easily get a train to Southampton Central. It is then a 8 minute taxi ride. Or you can hire a car - it will take you approximately 2 hours from Gatwick or Heathrow.

About the RYA Sailing Courses in the UK

As a RYA Recognised Sailing School we use the standard RYAsyllabi as well as RYA qualified instructors. The yachts used have all been checked and are approved as meeting RYAstandards: this means they are safe, well maintained and suitable for use in your sailing classes.

Here at First Class Sailing we are regularly assessed ourselves to ensure that we are fulfilling the RYA’s high standards as well as those of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the governing body of the UK Maritime activities.

We are proud to be part of a scheme that is highly respected worldwide, which means our sailing students know they are receiving safe as well as top quality instruction.