Contact Us

Clubsail Sailing Courses in Tenerife

Introduction
Course Overview
One week RYA approved courses
RYA approved theory courses
Clubsail Fast Track Courses

Introduction

Club Sail Sea School has been providing RYA Tuition for over 17 years, and was the first RYA approved overseas sailing school.  It is based in the Canary Islands, with all year round sunshine – which enables you to make the most of your course.
Headed by Andrew Williams, and supported by his team of experienced staff, Club Sail is a family business, whose mission is to provide a personal service to all its multi-national clients.
Andrew has been sailing since he was eight years old, and has been a RYA Yachtmaster Instructor for over 15 years.  He is qualified in sail, motor yachting, and power boats.
Club Sail Sea School is a recognised Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training Centre in Tenerife.  We offer the full RYA Tidal Sailing Syllabus, from Competent Crew right up to RYA / MCA Yachtmaster, as well as intensive Yachtmaster Fast Track courses.
We run our RYA courses with an average of four students on to one of our RYA approved Instructors.  Depending upon your level, each student receives exactly the right amount of RYA approved tuition for their course.  Unlike RYA courses held in the UK we run our courses from Friday to Friday, or Sunday to Sunday.  This is not to say that the normal changeover days are not flexible, but please bear in mind that this subject to availability.
Our ultimate aim is to tailor your RYA course to fit in with your requirements.
The cost of the course includes:

• Airport transfer to and from Tenerife South (only a short drive to our base marina at San Miguel)

http://www.marinasanmiguel.com/ing/index.htm)

• full RYA Tuition whilst onboard your yacht
• food (evening meals taken ashore are extra), drinks, bed linen and towels
• fuel and mooring fees

Not included are flights and travel insurance.  When looking for flights it is advisable to find one that arrives or departs prior to 6pm.
Please note that any RYA Logbooks/Course Notes are additional and can be purchased on arrival.
Our aim here at Club Sail is to make sure that you enjoy yourselves and that you get as much out of your RYA approved course, and holiday, as we do in meeting you.  As well as the serious business of gaining your desired qualification – we try to include as much time for fishing, swimming and shopping as you wish.

Course Overview

Your RYA approved course will be held on one of our Bavaria 36’s, upon which you will stay throughout your time with us.  They are fully fitted out, with three double cabins, and equipped with hot showers.
All our yachts come equipped with all the relevant safety equipment one would expect from a modern RYA Recognised Training Centre.
Your course normally starts with a safety briefing on the first evening, followed by some free time to allow you to settle in and enjoy dinner.
The following morning we complete the safety briefing and then set sail.  Our sailing area tends to be around the Western Canary Islands, covering places such as: Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.
Unlike other sailing schools, we usually next see our home marina when we return six days later at around 5pm.  You can then relax on this your last evening.
The next morning you can make use of the facilities of the Marina San Miguel http://www.marinasanmiguel.com/ing/index.htm, before we take you back to the airport.
Return to top of page

One week RYA approved practical courses

RYA Competent Crew
RYA Day Skipper (Tidal)
ICC (International Certificate of Competence)
Continuation Training
RYA Coastal Skipper
RYA / MCA Yachtmaster preparation

RYA Competent Crew

• No pre-course experience is required, just enthusiasm!

This is the RYA course to introduce beginners to sailing - who want to start on the yachting ladder, or have a simple fun and relaxing holiday.  The course is tailored for you to become an active and useful crew member by the end of your week!  You will learn how to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, use a dinghy correctly and assist in the day to day running of your yacht.  You will also have had a chance to enjoy a fantastic holiday by visiting the beautiful islands around The Canaries.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

RYA Day Skipper (Tidal)

Suggested pre-course experience:

• 5 days sea time, 100 sea miles and 4 night hours

Assumed knowledge:

• Basic navigation and sailing ability.  Ideally you will have attended our RYA Day Skipper Theory Course, alternatively you need to have a good understanding of tidal heights & streams, passage planning, pilotage, taking bearings & fixes, and understand lights & shapes.

This course is for aspiring skippers or for those who already hold the RYA Competent Crew certificate, with some basic knowledge of navigation.  During your course you will be asked to skipper your yacht on a short passage.  Your RYA Approved Instructor will be constantly at hand to give you any advice and encourage you all the way along - thereby having that peace of mind knowing you will reach your chosen destination safely.  One of the fundamentals of this course is that you experience what it is like to take charge of a yacht and crew.  There are the rewards to enjoy when all goes well, and there are the responsibilities to accept when it doesn’t!
After your course you will be able to skipper a small yacht in waters with which you are familiar with, by day.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

ICC (International Certificate of Competence)

We advise our students who require an ICC to attend one of our RYA Day Skipper courses, at the end of the course you can join the RYA and receive your ICC free as a member (by sending them a copy of your RYA Day Skipper course completion certificate).
If you prefer just to gain your ICC, then this course is also available.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

Continuation Training

Suggested pre-course experience:

• RYA Day Skipper (Tidal/Non-Tidal) course completion certificate.

Perhaps you have not been sailing for a while and would like to brush up on some of your skills; or if you have the Non-Tidal certificate you may wish to do the Tidal conversion course?
This course is also designed to bridge the large step up to attend RYA Coastal Skipper.
You’ll have an enjoyable week of cruising whilst taking onboard invaluable knowledge to give you a good solid grounding as a future skipper.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

RYA Coastal Skipper

Suggested pre-course experience:

• 15 days at sea (4 days as skipper), 300 sea miles and 8 night hours.
• Navigation to RYA Coastal Skipper theory level

Assumed knowledge:

• Navigation to RYA Coastal Skipper / RYA Yachtmaster standard.
• Sailing ability to RYA Day Skipper Practical.

This is a more advanced skippering course which takes sailors on longer passages, with the emphasis on how to cope with difficult situations.  Rough weather sailing, passage planning and 24hrs sailing are also part of this course.  You should also get a chance to visit some of the more remote islands of Las Palma and El Hierro.
After your course you will be able to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day or night.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

RYA / MCA Yachtmaster preparation

Suggested pre-course experience:

• RYA Coastal / Yachtmaster Theory,
• RYA First Aid,
• VHF (SRC) certificate.
• 50 days sea time (5 days as skipper), 2500 sea miles, 5 passages over 60 miles including 2 overnight passages as skipper.

This course will prepare you for the practical examination, and coach you to the level required to achieve this well respected and prestigious Royal Yachting Association qualification of RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore.  
There are two 60 mile passages included during this course.  We will put you through your paces so that you can grasp complex sailing skills and the confidence to work under extremes of pressure!
Your ability after the course will mean that you will be able to skipper a yacht offshore by day or night, and be ready to attend the Practical RYA/MCA Yachtmaster examination.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

RYA approved theory courses

RYA Day Skipper Theory
RYA Coastal Skipper / RYA Yachtmaster Theory
RYA First Aid - 1 Day
RYA VHF (SRC) - 1 Day

RYA Day Skipper Theory

Suggested pre-course experience:

• RYA Competent Crew

This course is a comprehensive introduction to chart work, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship.  It is ideal for those sailors who have already gaining their RYA Competent Crew qualification, and complements the RYA Day Skipper practical course.  You will find this course invaluable if you want to learn how to start making decisions on board.
The RYA Day Skipper theory course is also a requirement for the RYA/MCA Advanced Powerboat course.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

RYA Coastal Skipper / RYA Yachtmaster Theory

Suggested pre-course experience:

• RYA Day Skipper Theory

This is an advanced course in navigation and meteorology for candidates for the RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper and RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification.  The syllabus makes some provision for the revision of subjects in the RYA Day Skipper Course, but those who have not acquired the knowledge set out in the RYA Day Skipper Course are unlikely to be able to assimilate all the subjects covered in this advanced course in the time available.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

RYA First Aid - 1 Day

Suggested pre-course experience:

• No pre-course experience is required

In a medical emergency a little first aid knowledge and immediate action can save lives, especially in remote locations.  This one day course is designed to provide a working knowledge of first aid for people using small craft and to support skippers of yacht and motor vessels.  It fulfils the requirements for skippers of small craft working within 60 miles of a safe haven.  The course is MCA and HSE approved.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

VHF (SRC) - 1 Day

Suggested pre-course experience:

• No pre-course experience is required

If you own, or would like to use, a marine radio hand held or fixed set, you are required by international law to hold an operators license.  This RYA approved course teaches the procedures for operation of both the radio and DSC.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

Clubsail Fast Track Courses

Beginner to Yachtmaster in 3 modules;
Cruising Instructor - module 4
Module 1 – Beginner to Day Skipper
Module 2 – Coastal Skipper
Module 3 – Yachtmaster
Module 4 – Cruising Instructor (1 week)

Module 1 – Beginner to Day Skipper

Pre-requisites - None

Week 1 – Competent Crew

Introduces the complete beginner to: cruising; teaches personal safety; seamanship; and helmsmanship - to the level required to be a useful member of the crew of a cruising yacht.

Week 2 – Continuation Training and VHF (Short Range) Certificate

Continuation training towards your Day Skipper Practical.
One Day VHF Restricted Operators theory course and examination.  You will learn the dos and don’ts of the use of VHF radio equipped with DSC, and the procedures to communicate correctly in an emergency.  At the end of this course you will take a short exam to gain your VHF Restricted Operator’s License.

Week 3 – Day Skipper Theory

A comprehensive five day introduction to: the theory of basic seamanship; chart work; navigation and meteorology.  The theory instruction is broken up by two more days sailing.
Unlike other schools the accommodation for this course is included on board a school yacht.

Week 4 – Day Skipper Practical

The Day Skipper Practical Course teaches: pilotage; navigation and seamanship; and boat handling - up to the standard required to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day, in tidal waters with which the student is familiar.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

Module 2 – Coastal Skipper

Pre-requisites           Day Skipper Shorebased, Day Skipper Practical (Tidal) and VHF (Short Range Certificate)*
540 sea miles, 8 night hours and 15 days sea time

Week 1 – Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Shorebased

A six day theory course for your Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence.  This is an advanced course in advanced seamanship, chartwork, navigation and meteorology.
Unlike other schools the accommodation for this course is included on board a school yacht.

Week 2 and 3 – Continuation Training and RYA First Aid Course

Continuation training and extended cruise towards your Coastal Skipper Practical.
RYA One Day First Aid Course, this course is designed to provide a working knowledge of First Aid for people using small craft and to support skippers of yachts and motor vessels. It fulfils the requirements for skippers of small craft working within 60 miles of a safe haven. This course is MCA and HSE approved.

Week 4 – Coastal Skipper Practical and RYA / MCA Examination (optional)

The Coastal Skipper practical course aims to teach the skills and techniques required to skipper a cruising yacht safely on coastal and offshore passages by day and night.
There is an option to take the RYA / MCA Coastal Skipper practical examination at the end of this module.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

Module 3 – Yachtmaster

Pre-requisites           Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Shorebased, Coastal Skipper Practical, VHF (Short Range Certificate)* and First Aid Shorebased Course*
1720 sea miles, 12 night hours and 20 days sea time

Week 1 – Continuation Training

A week’s continuation training towards your Yachtmaster examination.

Week 2 – Bareboat Charter

You and your fellow crewmembers take one of the school boats on a bareboat charter for the week.  This enables you to practice your boat handling skills without the watchful eye of our Instructor.
All the Instructor asks you to do is to achieve the goals he requests!

Week 3 – Pre Yachtmaster Preparation

The aim of this week is to pin point any of your weaknesses and concentrate on specific items in the sections for skippering, management, navigation, and seamanship.  A chance to learn from your mistakes!

Week 4 – Yachtmaster Preparation & RYA /MCA Examination

The final week is spent on revision and a mock practical RYA / MCA examination.
The RYA / MCA Yachtmaster examination is taken on the last two days of this module.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page

Module 4 – Cruising Instructor (1 week)

Pre-requisites           RYA / MCA Yachtmaster and RYA Commercial Endorsement
http://www.rya.org.uk/Courses/workingafloat/commercialendorsements.htm
Course Aims:
Cruising Instructors are able to teach up to the level of the Day Skipper practical course through an RYA recognised training centre.
Lead by Clubsail’s Chief Instructor at the end of the course you will be able to:

• Set up tasks and teaching sessions appropriate to individual students
• Brief clearly to all crew or individuals
• Ensure tasks are undertaken correctly and safely
• De-brief and provide plan for improvement
• Give convincing practical demonstrations of any part of the Competent Crew or Day Skipper courses.

The examination is done by continuous assessment.
Contact us regarding this course
Return to top of page