Learn to Sail in Brighton – RYA Levels 1 & 2

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.

The RYA Level 1 & 2 courses are designed to be completed over two weekends (four days in total). Each course runs for two full days, typically from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, providing plenty of practical sailing time.

No prior sailing experience is required to start with RYA Level 1. This course is designed for total beginners and will teach you the basic skills needed to get on the water safely. Once completed, you can move on to RYA Level 2 to build your confidence and independence.

A keelboat, like the Delphia 24 used in our courses, is a larger, more stable boat with a fixed keel that prevents capsizing. Keelboats are more yacht-like and provide a stable, comfortable learning experience compared to smaller dinghies, making them ideal for adults and beginners.

• Be prepared for changeable weather, bring plenty of layers
• Quick drying clothes can be very practical, avoid jeans
• Sunglasses, sunhat and suncream for summer months and woolly hats, thermals and layers for winter months
• Non-slip deck shoes, wetsuit shoes or trainers that don’t mark
• If you have your own waterproofs, please bring them, or you can hire ours
• 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
• Pack lunch to have onboard

Safety is our priority. If conditions are unsafe or unsuitable for learning, we may reschedule the course. In light winds or light rain, the course will usually proceed, so it’s best to come prepared with waterproofs and layers.

During the course, you’ll be learning alongside other participants. At Level 1, you will be supervised at all times, and for Level 2, you will gain the confidence to sail without an instructor onboard, but still in close supervision. After completion, you’ll have the skills to sail independently in light winds.

To ensure quality instruction and plenty of hands-on time, we keep our group sizes small, typically around 4-5 people per instructor. This allows for individual attention and maximises your learning experience.

Yes, children aged 12 and over can participate in the course with parental consent. However, it’s primarily designed for adults and teenagers, so younger children may find the keelboat learning environment more challenging.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive RYA certificates for both Level 1 and Level 2. These certifications allow you to continue progressing in sailing, and with Level 2, you will be able to hire boats and sail in light winds on your own.

Once you have completed RYA Level 2, you are ready to pursue the RYA Competent Crew certification, which can be done by completing just the Part 2 of the course. From there, you can advance to the RYA Dayskipper or explore our sailing practice sessions to keep honing your skills.