Build miles, confidence, and real offshore experience with our Mile Building Sailing Trips. From weekend Channel hops to coastal sails, Norway voyages, and Atlantic adventures, you’ll handle different conditions, learn to problem-solve at sea, and gain the miles needed for RYA Yachtmaster or Coastal Skipper progression.
The Coastal Skipper RYA qualification is your next step toward confident coastal cruising and night sailing. Learn what’s involved, who it’s for, and how to earn your certificate.
Learn what makes the RORC Round Britain & Ireland Race 2026 such a legendary offshore challenge, and how First Class Sailing’s full training and race campaign prepares sailors to take it on safely, confidently, and as part of a professional crew.
Competent Crew in Autumn offers a completely different kind of sailing experience. The Solent is quieter, the winds are steadier, and there’s more room to learn without the summer rush. With smaller crews, expert instructors, and the chance to experience night sailing, autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to take your RYA Competent Crew Course and discover the real joy of sailing.
RYA sailing courses offer a hands-on, structured way to learn to sail with expert instructors on the Solent, in Southampton and London. Build real confidence, earn internationally recognised qualifications, and discover why RYA training is trusted worldwide.
Join First Class Sailing in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers 2026 — a world-famous transatlantic adventure from Gran Canaria to St Lucia. Sail aboard a Challenger 72 yacht and make 2026 the year you cross the Atlantic.
What to expect on an RYA Competent Crew course, from your first evening on board to your final day. A complete beginner’s guide to learning to sail.
Our 5-day Competent Crew Course syllabus is designed to equip you with all the necessary knowledge and skills you need to be an effective crew member. This includes personal safety (yours, and others), navigation, and helmsmanship. You can sign-up to the practical...