RYA Start Yachting Course in Brighton

We are located at Brighton Marina. You will be sent the full address and postcode upon booking, but here is a guide to finding us:

• By Car: Approaching the marina from the A27 take the B2123. Turn right at first set of traffic lights, signposted Brighton Town Centre, Racecourse and Marina Village. Turn left at second set of traffic lights, pass the Racecourse and follow the signs for the Marina Village where there is free parking for 1500 cars in the multi-storey car park. From the car park you can either go across a linking bridge on level 6 or from the ground floor of the car park towards all the waterfront cafes and bars. Walk to the end of the boarded walk way where there will be a large ramp heading down towards the pontoons. We are the first set of pontoons on the right. Pontoon 6.
• By Bike: Brighton Marina has a bike share station which is either pay per minute or a yearly membership. For your own bike, racks are available on the main concourses of the pontoons. You must use the racks and not leave bikes on the pontoons otherwise Premier Marina will take them away.
• By Bus: Brighton and Hove bus service operates a number 7 bus approximately every 15 minutes 24 hours a day, from Brighton Town Centre (North Street or Queens Road), to the Marina Village.
• On Foot: Brighton Marina is a pleasant walk along the seafront from the centre of Brighton, it is 20 minutes walk from the main West Pier. During the summer you will also find the Volks electric railway operates along the front.
• By Train: The nearest main line station is Brighton with regular connections to Chichester, Portsmouth and London is under an hour away.
• By Air: Brighton is within easy reach of Heathrow and Gatwick international airports. Follow the A23 from Gatwick to Brighton. Shoreham airport is also available for private light aircraft.

• Be prepared for changeable weather, bring plenty of layers
• Quick drying clothes can be very practical, avoid jeans
• Gloves for warmth and rope friction protection
• Sunglasses, sunhat and suncream for summer months and woolly hats, thermals and layers for winter months
• Deck boots and non-slip deck shoes or trainers that don’t mark
• We can supply waterproofs for hire, Musto BR1s. You will need to order these in advance so we can have them ready for your arrival. If you have your own waterproofs, please bring them, they are a necessity
• If you are worried or unsure whether you suffer from seasickness then pills and wrist-bands work well. Don’t arrive on an empty stomach and take tablets with breakfast if you have never been sailing on the sea before, sometimes the motion takes a while to get used to
• Packed lunch or money for lunch
• We only have limited lockers for putting valuables in, so please minimise these as much as possible

No prior sailing experience is required. The RYA Start Yachting course is designed for complete beginners. It’s the ideal starting point for anyone who wants to try yacht sailing for the first time.

During the course, you’ll learn the basics of yacht sailing, including how to steer a yacht, handle sails, and manage ropes. You’ll also cover important safety procedures, such as man overboard recovery and the use of emergency equipment. By the end of the course, you’ll have a good understanding of yacht handling and the confidence to be an active crew member.

The course runs over two days, typically from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. Most of the time will be spent on the water, giving you plenty of hands-on experience. You’ll also learn some basic theory to help you understand the yacht and how it interacts with its environment. The course is practical and engaging, with a strong focus on learning by doing.

The RYA Start Yachting course is held at Brighton Marina. Brighton Marina is a great location for sailing, offering access to both sheltered and open waters, which are perfect for beginners. You’ll be sailing in the Brighton area during the course.

No, the RYA Start Yachting course is non-residential, meaning there’s no need to stay onboard overnight. Each day, you’ll start and finish at Brighton Marina, and you can return home or to your accommodation in the evening.

Safety is always our top priority. If weather conditions are unsafe, such as in the case of high winds or storms, we may need to reschedule the course. However, in more moderate weather, such as light rain or wind, the course will likely proceed, so be sure to bring appropriate waterproof gear.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive the RYA Start Yachting certificate. This certification counts towards your RYA Competent Crew qualification, meaning that if you decide to continue your sailing journey, you’ll only need to complete an additional three days of training to earn your Competent Crew certification.

Yes, children aged 12 and over can join the course, as long as they have parental consent. The course is designed to be enjoyable and accessible for both adults and younger participants, making it a great introduction to sailing for families.

We keep our course groups small, typically with 4-5 participants per instructor. This ensures that everyone receives personalised instruction and plenty of time to practice key skills.

After completing the RYA Start Yachting course, many participants choose to continue their training with the RYA Competent Crew course, which takes an additional three days. This qualification allows you to become an active and valuable member of a yacht’s crew. From there, you could progress to even more advanced sailing qualifications, such as the RYA Day Skipper.