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Some comments from our customers

 

"Just like to let you know that my training put me in good stead for the Fremantle- Canarvon race and on to Exmouth and back..........Thank you once again for providing such good instruction" Val from Tasmania

 

 

 

"Helen and Don
A quick note to thank you for the Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper course. I am now confidently looking forward to getting out and doing some sailing this spring and summer. Thanks to Nick and Alan for their valuable time and efforts" Richard - Perth

 

 

"Hi Helen and Don
Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the course - Gary was outstanding and the rest of the group really clicked" John

 

 

"Hi Don and Helen
I would like to thank you for the most enjoyable 5 days that I can remember. Your organisation and instructors were outstanding and I found every hour on board an absolute pleasure" Robert from Perth

 

 

 

 

RYA Fasttrack Sailing Courses

An RYA Yachtmaster is quailified to skipper yachts up to 200 gt on offshore coastal passages. An RYA Coastal skipper means you have aquired the skill to skipper a yacht by day or night whilst a Day Skipper has the skills to skipper a yacht in reasonable weather by day.

Fast track is designed to help you achieve advanced sailing qualifications in one package. It is available for Yachtmaster, Coastal and Day skipper qualifications.

Fast track programs assume you have no prior experience. if you are already a competent yachts person then we can provide a program that takes into account your existing knowledge and we can arrange direct entry to any level including the Yachtmaster exam. We always recommend at least one week of preparation to familiarise candidates with the syllabus.

Reverse Contiki fasttrack is available as an alternative for baby boomers who are no longer eligible for Contiki Tours. If you are over 50 we help you get over it and get on to the cruising life style. The syllabus is designed for people moving to a cruising lifestyle after a life time at work. You will have workshops with people who have been on extended cruises either single handed or as a couple. We will spend more time on maintenance and ideas for keeping the yacht going when the going gets tough as well as making sure you have all the skills to set off on your life style change with confidence.

Recognising bodies change as we grow older we include a session on keeping fit whilst at sea.

We also include advice on purchasing a yacht including surveyors who know what it is like to have plans for long distance cruising.

Reverse Contiki is slightly more expensive but there is much more packed into the program for the over 50s.

We are the only school in the world that recognises the different needs of a generation that has always dreamed for something different. Contact Helen for more information.

 

Theory

Theory courses are completed through an RYA recognised internet course before you arrive on our base to save you time. This is fully supported on line by a Yachtmaster instructor. We fine tune your theory skills in our classroom when you arrive. The online program has met the standards of the RYA and is a recognised distance learning course

Classroom based courses can be arranged if you prefer. Just let us know when you wish to book as there is an additional cost.

Ancillary courses use simulators including DSC VHF radios and radar so you can fully understand how they operate and how to keep them going

Practicals

Practical courses are on board either our Jeanneau 37 Sun Odyssey, Jeanneau Sun Fast or Beneteau 411 cruising yachts giving you broad experience of different boats. We also have access to a brand new Beneteau Oceanis 46 for longer mile building programs

Our programs are intensive and designed to maximise learning opportunities in the safe handling and navigation of an ocean going yacht. We focus on the skills you need either for a new career or for extended cruising on your own yacht.

What makes us specially different is our passage and mile building programs. We make these a learning experience where you participate in every aspect of managing the yacht efficiently. This is a better option than building miles on race yachts or deliveries where you may have a more limited role.

Our passages are generally less than 200 miles with lots of options for port entries in an offshore environment. It is often said if you learn to skipper on the West Coast of Australia you are equipped to sail anywhere.

Skippering Techniques

A good skipper also needs more than boat and sail handling skills. Skippering is a complex management task which has the aim of completing passages safely and efficiently. We cover all of the complex roles and skills of the skipper to make sure you are well equipped to take the job on.

Weather

We have a warm climate with strong summer land and sea breezes. We also have challenging weather systems that will sharpen your skills for heavy weather sailing and keep you on your toes. Our sailing area includes Geographe Bay which is sheltered from most winds and allows great sailing in strong wind conditions. We can then go on to Fremantle and Geraldton where you can experience sailing in reasonably strong swell and sea conditions helping to build your confidence in yourself and the yacht

We also provide the full range of RYA / YA courses taken over 2 - 5 days. For details of our short courses see our learn to sail - sailing courses page.

STCW Certificate of Safety

We can provide training for the STCW Certificate of Safety which includes fire. This is required training for a professional career at sea and is essential if you are pursuing a career in foriegn going vessels or the white yacht industry. It includes fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, personal survival techniques and personal safety and social responsibility.

It is a nine day course and the cost is Au$2155 (accommodation extra)

Fastrack Course Dates

(for more detail click on the course that interests you)

 

Yachtmaster

STCW Available

September 27, 2010. Special price of $13200. (conditions apply 1 spot left)

January 5, 2011
April 12 2011

Coastal Skipper

Courses held weekly

Day Skipper

Courses held weekly



What we Provide

  • All accommodation either on board the yacht or in local quality back packer accommodation.
  • All meals except for one night during practical courses. (Meals are continental style breakfast, rolls for lunch and hot main meals and are self catered. You need to allow for favourite snacks and nibbles. Main meals generally provided Monday to Wednesday)
  • RYA text books and radio handbooks as required
  • Full linen, bedding and towels changed weekly (you do not need to bring any bedding unless you wish to)
  • Fresh clean yachts
  • Fully qualified RYA / Yachting Australia yachtmaster instructors
  • Commercial endorsement (Yachtmaster ) optional extra
  • STCW available as an optional extra

What you need to bring

  • Warm and cool clothing both for on board or shore based activites
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses (polarised)
  • Non marking deck shoes
  • soft bag
  • Swim gear
  • Sun block
  • Wet weather gear and life jacket. (we can provide these but it is good to invest in your own if you are serious about your sailing)

Booking

  • You can book by email or telephone
  • Once you book we send a letter confirming your place and joining instructions
  • Bookings are confirmed on 10% deposit with the balance payable prior to course commencing
  • You are welcome to contact us to discuss any aspect of the programs we offer

Overseas Clients

  • If your coming from overseas all you will need to enter Australia for this program is a tourist visa. Please contact us if you require assistance or there is any uncertainty in relation to visa requirements
  • We can arrange to meet you if required

Teaching Staff

  • Teaching staff are all yachtmaster qualified
  • Instructors also hold Western Australian marine qualifications
  • All instructors have training or management qualifications

Careers in the marine industry

  • The marine industry in Australia is worth $5.5 bilion across all sectors
  • Opportunities exist in the white yacht industry, sail training, recreational water sports and marine tourism
  • We can provide advice on careers and assist with employment strategies. We will link you into job search options and help you with applications and CV preparation
  • We provide Commercial endorsement for Yachtmasters and Cruising Instructor Courses
  • STCW certification available
  • PADI Dive courses available

Commercial Endorsement

An RYA / YA Yachtmaster certificate can be endorsed for commercial operation of sailing vessels up to 24 meters on British Flagged vessels. In Australia AMSA are also plannning the introduction of a new Sailmaster commercial qualification for Australian vessels. Based on a valid Yachting Australia the new Yachtmaster certificate this will be a commercial quailfication for sailing vessels less than 24 meters within 200nm of the mainland coast. This qualification combined with the MCA recognition of the RYA/YA yachtmaster will provide comprehensive recognition of a commercial Yachtmaster certificate. It is likely the new AMSA qualification will be introduced in 2010

Cruising as a retirement or change of lifestyle option

  • Many people who are leaving career choices are opting for a cruising lifestyle
  • We will arrange briefing sessions with people who have been cruising so you can find out what it is like and help you plan a cruising adventure
  • We have many people in their fifties and sixties who see this as a new life option and a long held ambition
  • Both Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster qualifications suit this lifestyle
  • Courses are available as either fast track or to suit your time availability with discounts available for prebooked programs
  • It is not that hard to make the break!!!

RYA Cruising Instructor Courses

We provide Cruising Instructor courses as an option for your Yachtmaster fastrack. Completion of the Cruising Instructor course means you can pursue a new career as a professional sailing instructor under the recognised framework of the RYA syllabus, This is a prestigious qualification which will launch your professional sailing career. The course involves five days of training skills development and completion of two sailing courses under the guidance of Don. We are the only school in Western Australia providing this qualification.

Beneteau 411 Jeanneau 37

 

Madeline Interior Sensei saloon

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