Ladies Only Day Skipper Course

The Women Only – RYA Day Skipper Practical course is designed for women who want to develop the confidence and practical skills required to skipper a yacht on short coastal passages during daylight hours. Run with an all-female crew in a supportive and encouraging environment, the course provides hands-on training in navigation, pilotage and yacht handling under the guidance of experienced RYA instructors.

During the course, each student takes responsibility for navigating and handling the yacht on short passages around the Solent and South Coast. Boat handling, pilotage, passage planning, sail trim and safety procedures all form a key part of the training, together with night sailing and practical skippering exercises. The emphasis throughout is on active participation and building confidence through practical experience onboard.

As skipper, you are responsible for the yacht and crew, so the course also develops decision making, crew management and passage planning skills. Training takes place in real cruising conditions, providing valuable experience of marina manoeuvres, tidal pilotage and coastal navigation within one of the UK’s busiest and most varied sailing areas.

By the end of the course, successful students will be able to undertake short coastal passages by day in familiar waters and will be awarded the RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate. Holders of the certificate may also apply for the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) without further assessment.