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Sailing News

A mix of insights into our courses and trips, engaging stories from some adventures, and educational content for anyone passionate about sailing.

Why RYA Sailing Courses Are the Best Way to Learn to Sail

Why RYA Sailing Courses Are the Best Way to Learn to Sail

Oct 15, 2025

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.

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10 Nautical and Sailing Superstitions

10 Nautical and Sailing Superstitions

Aug 8, 2023

Join us as we embark on a journey into the world of nautical and sailing superstitions, exploring the intriguing beliefs and practices that have shaped the lives of those who brave the waves.

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star rating  First Class experience.  - Very good experience with First Class Sailing. Mark was a terrific teacher and the boat was well equipped and comfortable for a 5 day course. Would definitely recommend.

Michael K
October 8, 2025

star rating  Yachmaster Ocean Theory  - I just finished another training week at First Class Sailing’s training center. The week was dedicated to Yachtmaster Ocean Theory, with a highlight on Celestial Navigation. The instructor, Nigel Rennie... read more

avatar thumb Marty S
October 24, 2025

star rating  Excellent training course with Fergus!  - Excellent training course with Fergus! He made sure that across levels we were all learning and having fun! The extra context from his experience sailing was insightful and entertaining!

avatar thumb Jamie S
October 25, 2025
First Class Sailing Ltd place picture
First Class Sailing Ltd
5.0
Based on 278 reviews
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Maurice MacSweeney profile picture
Maurice MacSweeney
11:45 30 Oct 25
Over the last few years First Class Sailing have taken me all the way from complete novice to Coastal Skipper, with theory and other courses along the way (like VHF, First Aid, etc), and there's now no other school I'd want to train and study with. They really stand out from other providers with the quality of their instructors and the support and responsiveness you get from the office team. There's never too many students on a course, so you get lots of time to practise and learn from the instructor. By the end of each course you really feel you've been stretched and graduated to a much higher level of skill. A really high quality outfit and thoroughly recommended!
Response from the owner 13:56 06 Nov 25
Hi Maurice, we're so pleased to have been with you from the start of your sailing journey. That's great that you enjoyed the ratio of students to instructor and felt confident with the levels you achieved. Thanks for the review, we hope you manage to get plenty of sailing in after all the hard work you've put in.
Marty Stromquist profile picture
Marty Stromquist
15:22 24 Oct 25
I just finished another training week at First Class Sailing’s training center. The week was dedicated to Yachtmaster Ocean Theory, with a highlight on Celestial Navigation. The instructor, Nigel Rennie FRIN (Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation), was fantastic. It was very fast-paced, but covered the basics and theory behind Celestial Navigation. The jewel of the week was Rennie. His abundant patience, coupled with his experiences and passion for the art, made the week incredible. First Class Sailing have the best instructors. They know their craft and have real-life experience to make training both fun and memorable. Well Done!
Response from the owner 13:42 06 Nov 25
Thanks Marty. We're so pleased you enjoyed Nigel's expert guidance and passion for sailing. Like all our instructors, he loves teaching and sharing his knowledge, but manages to make it fun too. Thanks for the recommendation.
Anne-Laure McLeman profile picture
Anne-Laure McLeman
10:07 15 Oct 25
Being in an all female boat is a great way to learn. Kirsten, our instructor, had a very calm and reassuring style. The small size of the group (only 3 of us) meant we got a lot of attention and many opportunities to practice. Such a good week!
Response from the owner 13:24 06 Nov 25
Thank-you for the review Anne-Laure. That's great that the all female option suited you well and you enjoyed learning with Kirsten. Hopefully all that practice has set you up well for future sailing. Good luck!
Angus Sandison profile picture
Angus Sandison
19:57 07 Oct 25
Really great experience with First Class. My partner and I did our Day Skipper over two weekends with our instructor Mark. He was fantastic. Patient as we learned and made the whole thing fun. The boats are great and organization by First Class was seamless. Would totally recommend.
Response from the owner 13:17 06 Nov 25
Thanks Angus. That's good that you enjoyed Mark's style of teaching and also had lots of fun along the way. Wishing you lots of happy sailing in the future.
Tricia Bunten profile picture
Tricia Bunten
18:48 07 Oct 25
I just finished a fantastic week taking my Day Skipper practical with First Class Sailing and I highly recommend them. I chose the Women Only week and had an incredibly patient instructor who was able to help each of us individually with areas of weakness but also worked great with us as a group. I had never sailed in the Solent before and it was the perfect location for this class. I am so grateful for First Class and my instructor for helping me build confidence and experience.
Photo from customer review
Response from the owner 16:59 04 Nov 25
Thanks Tricia, we're so pleased you enjoyed the Women Only week and had a positive experience. We always say that the Solent really is one of the best places to learn and it has some beautiful scenery to explore too, so that's good that you appreciated it. Hope you manage to get out on the water soon.
Evan Ainsworth profile picture
Evan Ainsworth
20:30 05 Oct 25
They do say that what sets great companies apart is customer service. This is my third time with first class sailing the first time was a few years ago when we did our competent crew it was one of the best weeks of our lives. Then we came again in August for the kids to do their competent crew and my wife and I to do our day skipper course. Unfortunately when I did my day skipper course the weather was terrible and I was unable to have a good session to pass. So Jake said to me you can come back and have a free weekend on us to enable you to pass. And again I had a fabulous weekend. There was just three of us on the boat. A wonderful instructor, Tom, and another student. Tom was an excellent instructor he was relaxed, he had great experiences, he got on with the practical part of sailing not just a lot of theory and he was thorough. He had lots of practical tips to make sailing easier and had some good exercises forest to try. We had a super trip down to Yarmouth where he cooked a wonderful dinner and then we went to the pub. Where we met another first class sailing group and spent the evening listening to their tall tales. The following day we had a super sail back to Southampton, with lots of cool exercises and I was thrilled to pass my day skipper.
Photo from customer review
Response from the owner 16:46 04 Nov 25
Thanks for the review Evan and congratulations on passing your Day Skipper practical, the hard work has paid off. That's good that the whole family joined you for one of the trips and so now hopefully you have some willing crew members for future sails. Good luck!
hugo kirby profile picture
hugo kirby
15:26 09 Sep 25
great course with a very engaged and helpful instructor - who was happy to go outside the curriculum and give us the benefit of his wider knowledge - throroughly recommended
Response from the owner 15:30 11 Sep 25
That's good that you appreciated the experiences and extra knowledge that the instructor passed on. Thanks for the recommendation.
Justin Brooks profile picture
Justin Brooks
11:11 23 Aug 25
We would highly recommend First Class Sailing.

Very well organised with a top quality instructor who provided tuition tailored to our differing needs.

A fantastic option for a couple wanting an entire boat to do a mixed Competent Crew / Day Skipper itinerary.
Response from the owner 14:21 28 Aug 25
Thanks Justin. We always find that mixing the Competent Crew & Day Skipper works well, so that's great that it worked for you too. Hope you manage to get out on the water soon and put all your learning into practice.
ChrisC profile picture
ChrisC
15:37 22 Aug 25
Great experience doing a Yachtmaster Offshore prep week followed by exam. Lots of useful paperwork up-front for the course admin and training exercises. The 3-day prep format worked well and Hayley did a brilliant job of cramming in the training over those days. Lovely modern boat too called Sazerac. Will be back.
Response from the owner 14:17 28 Aug 25
Hi Chris, thanks for the review. Congratulations on gaining your YMO qualification. There's a lot to cover, but as you've found, the hard work really pays off. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
Miles Barr profile picture
Miles Barr
11:27 03 Aug 25
I completed my Competent Crew and Day Skipper Practical with First Class Sailing. It was a great experience. I hired the whole boat each time, taking my family members along who also earned their Competent Crew qualifications.
Response from the owner 15:21 21 Aug 25
Thanks Miles. That's great that hiring the whole boat for your courses worked well for you all. Now that your family have their comp crew qualifications, you'll have plenty of help onboard for future sails! Good luck.

All Blogs

ARC 2016 – Day 6 – Squalls, More Dolphins and Squalls

ARC 2016 – Day 6 – Squalls, More Dolphins and Squalls

Nov 5, 2018

Dolphins like these! Thursday 24 November: As I am typing I can hear the sound of feet on the deck, sheets being ground on and grunts of happiness, I think its happiness anyway, as Nic’s watch grind the Yankee over in preparation to gybe, drop the starboard pole and...

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ARC 2016 – Meet the Crew – Skipper Ricky Chalmers

ARC 2016 – Meet the Crew – Skipper Ricky Chalmers

Nov 5, 2018

Challenger 3 Skipper Ricky Chalmers   South African Skipper Ready to Tackle Atlantic Race The thrill of ocean racing has left this South African-born professional skipper eager to begin a high-profile transatlantic race that started last weekend (Nov 20th). Ricky...

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ARC 2016 – Meet the FCS Crew – Tony Kerby

ARC 2016 – Meet the FCS Crew – Tony Kerby

Nov 5, 2018

"It’s a great opportunity to get away from the stresses of life and work" Tony Kerby   Atlantic Lure too Tempting for Godalming Sailor The attraction of a famous two-week transatlantic race has proven irresistible for this budding Surrey yacht racer. Tony Kerby,...

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ARC 2016 – Meet the FCS Crew – Peter Smith

ARC 2016 – Meet the FCS Crew – Peter Smith

Nov 5, 2018

"I missed the ocean life and wanted to be part of a team" - Peter Smith   Experienced Solihull Sailor Competing in Transatlantic Race This retired Solihull man is donning his waterproofs once more to contest a high-profile two-week transatlantic yacht race. Peter...

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ARC 2016 – Meet the Crew – Skipper’s Mate Kirstie Rowe

ARC 2016 – Meet the Crew – Skipper’s Mate Kirstie Rowe

Nov 5, 2018

Challenger 3 Mate Kirstie Rowe   Skipper’s Mate Ready to Tackle Atlantic Race An outdoor education teacher and skipper’s mate halfway into this high-profile transatlantic race that started on Sunday, Nov 20th. Kirstie Rowe, 29, forms part of an expert quartet...

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ARC 2016 – DAY 8 – We’ll Rest At The Caribbean

ARC 2016 – DAY 8 – We’ll Rest At The Caribbean

Nov 5, 2018

At some point soon the FCS crew should be doing this   As the FCS crew approaches the half-way mark they are bonding well and developing a wide understanding of life and teamwork on Challenger 3. In this blog you'll be taken right into their daily life... A Night...

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ARC 2016 – DAY 9 – Every Type of Weather

ARC 2016 – DAY 9 – Every Type of Weather

Nov 5, 2018

Fruit hammocks   The latest report from Challenger 3 sees the FCS crew in fine spirits while the elements putting on a majestic yet varied display. Showers in the Rain Monday 28 November: Heading due West, the wind was starting to lighten and veer. At around...

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