As a qualified RYA Cruising Instructor, you will be in high demand for work at RYA-approved schools in Australia, the UK, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

You will also find instructing is a great way to further develop your own ability as both a sailor and a skipper. 

By the end of the course, you will thoroughly understand the RYA training scheme and the friendly, professional coaching style that is the hallmark of Flying Fish.

Course content

Candidates operate in a role-play scenario, taking turns practising in the instructor role. We take time to develop your understanding of the learning process and the tools you can use to coach your students effectively.

You will also learn to plan your training programme to deliver the syllabus in the time frame. 

• The RYA training scheme.
• Learning styles 
• Instruction process and teaching models
• Briefing and debriefing
• Teaching Competent Crew and Day Skipper practical skills. 
• Presentation techniques for teaching theory onboard
• Coaching process and exercises
• Course planning

The yacht and the instructor

The course is run by a very experienced, qualified RYA instructor trainer aboard one of our Beneteau 40-foot training yachts. 

The final day of the course is an assessment/moderation run by a second independent trainer.

Location and sailing conditions 

We will practice our skills sailing around Sydney Harbour and the adjacent New South Wales coast. 

We plan the itinerary on a day-to-day basis to take the best advantage of the weather conditions.

The sailing conditions are generally excellent, alternating between warm 'Nor-easter' sea breezes and cool, fresh Southerlies. 

• Tuition, logbook, pre-course reading.
• Life jackets and safety harnesses are provided; we can loan you wet weather clothing if required.
• All vessels have an enclosed bathroom on board.
• Please bring your own lunch and snacks.
• We provide tea coffee, and water on board

Qualifications and experience

• 150 sea miles logged
• RYA Cruising Instructor

• You hold a commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or Ocean certificate.
• As an instructor, you are also required to be an RYA accredited member.
• Once you have registered for the course, you will receive some pre-course study.  

• As a qualified RYA Yacht Cruising Instructor, you are ready to apply for work running courses up to the Day Skipper level at any RYA sailing school worldwide. 
• With two years of instructing experience, you can progress to the RYA Yachtmaster Instructor qualification, which allows you to teach the higher levels of the RYA training scheme.