Sailing News
All the latest news from the world of sailing and stories from experienced sailors.
First Class Sailing has been teaching people to sail for over twenty years and operate from various locations including Central London and from Shamrock Quay in Southampton. In that time, thousands of people of all ages have completed courses with us, including seniors aged 65 years and over. If you’re looking for… Read more
What Age Can Kids Learn to Sail? (The Youngest Age to Start)
Sailing can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities, and some people will say that the younger you can get into sailing the better. But, as a rule of thumb, we believe there is an age when kids can learn to sail that makes sense from both a physical and maturity level. In our opinion… Read more
Is 60 Too Old to Start Sailing?
We are often asked whether age is a barrier to sailing, and our response is always a resounding no. People of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy sailing, so if you are aged 60 to 65 or above, let us put your mind at rest… 60 is not too old to start sailing; you should… Read more
RYA VHF Radio course teaches you an important skill
Why VHF Radio is an important skill? First Class Sailing’s VHF Radio course teaches you important skill that not only protects your safety but is also a legal requirement. In rules set out by the government a minimum of one person onboard a yacht must have a VHF Radio license. If you ever find yourself… Read more
First Aid at Sea & What To Do When Things Do Go Wrong?
You never want things to go wrong, and in reality it is unlikely they will. But with a lot of skills when it comes to sailing, for your own personal safety and that of your crew, it is better to have them and not have to use them. This blog will be looking at First… Read more
Celestial Navigation is an ancient sailing skill you need to know
For hundreds of years before the advent of GPS sailors navigated the ocean using only a sextant and heavenly bodies. From Polynesians to Phoenicians. Viking raiders of the 5th Century to pillaging Pirates of the 18th. All used forms of Celestial Navigation. Recently we’ve discovered Vikings even manage to reach the shores of North American… Read more
Why is heavy weather sailing an important skill?
Sailing in heavy and bad weather is a vital skill to have on you sailing toolbelt. If you’ve never done it before it can be a challenging and daunting experience. Knowing what to do when faced with high winds and big seas gives you the skills and confidence to sail safely. This blog will answer… Read more
How Do Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore Certificate Of Competence Differ?
Over the last few blog posts I’ve been walking through the RYA course progression. Some courses offer a different experience in your learning journey, in what you learn and how you taught it. With some focused on helping you gain experience and miles rather than teaching you. This blog focuses on one of these courses.… Read more
What does RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory teach you?
This course is the highest RYA endorsed theory course you can take and will draw from and test all the theory you have been taught during your learning journey. However, that means it can be quite challenging to grasp what the course covers given its wide scope. That’s why this blog aims to help and… Read more
What Is The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical?
What is the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical? This week’s blog tells you everything you need to know and answers any questions you may have. In a previous blog, we discussed RYA Yachtmaster Theory and how it builds upon your established Day Skipper Theory knowledge. The same idea applies to the topic of this week’s blog. It… Read more
