Welcome to Bay Sea School, the 'go-to' place in the North West for adult beginners learning to sail on the sea in a small yacht (also called a keelboat).
Discover the basics of how to sail on a series of 2-day courses and turn your sailing dream into reality!
COVID 19 Restrictions: We are unable to meet social distancing requirements on our sailing courses because it involves sitting shoulder to shoulder for approximately 5 hours. The safety of both our clients and our instructors is paramount. So unfortunately for the time being we are unable to accept bookings. In the meantime please sign up to our mailing list (bottom of homepage) and be the first to hear when bookings resume. Possible dates for 2021 are at the bottom of the page. These are not available to book until all restrictions are lifted.
"Fantastic location & instruction!"
Why choose Bay Sea School?
Principal & Chief Instructor John Parlane is no ordinary dinghy sailing instructor but an experienced Yachtmaster Instructor & Examiner. He's also winner of the RYA 'Instructor of the Year' award. His professional work includes inspecting other RYA recognised training centres so your safety on the water is very important at Bay Sea School.
Beginners & Improvers
- Level 1 Start Sailing - Ideal for absolute beginners who'd like a gentle introduction to sailing. You'll steer the boat, adjust the sails and experience what's involved in sailing on the sea all with the security of having a professional skipper with you.
- Level 2 Basic Skills - This course is the next step. It's aimed at sailors of all levels who want to build their confidence in the basics. You'll do lots of tacking & gybing and cover additional topics such as: synoptic charts; tidal sailing techniques; all points of sail; reefing; MOB & anchoring under sail.
As a complete beginner you'll be amazed how much you pick up during your first two days on Level 1. Then over a total of four days tuition (i.e. Level 1 followed soon after by Level 2) you'll experience all the basics of how to skipper & crew a small yacht on the sea.
Expert sailors know the best way to learn to sail is on a small boat rather than a larger cruising yacht. With a winning combination of manoeuvrability and stability keelboats are the ideal way to learn the basics. They're also a good option for adults who find dinghy sailing a bit cramped & uncomfortable. You just need to be mobile enough to board the yacht from the inflatable boat & also be able to move promptly from a seated position on one side of the yacht to the other. Call us if you want to know more about this.
Bay Sea School normally restrict numbers on their keelboat courses to 3 students but can accommodate 4 if necessary.
When you book a 2-day beginner level course you can work towards either Level 1 or Level 2. Many people who aren't complete beginners are somewhere in between these levels. So if you're unsure, you can decide which level is best for you after you've had a chance to go sailing and see what's involved on these two beginner level courses.
Learning to sail with Bay Sea School you'll be taught by mature instructors, John & Deirdre, both of whom are also Yachtmasters with over 25 years sailing experience on the sea!
Click the following link to read more about learning to sail. The Best Way to Learn to Sail
If your dream is a cruising holiday in the Mediterranean, here's a useful pathway through the various RYA courses to becoming a Day Skipper and gaining your ICC (International Certificate of Competence). Beginner to Day Skipper
Your 2-day course fee includes:
- RYA Sailing Logbook (G4)
- Bay Sea School's unique course notes
- RYA course completion certificate
- Free use of sailing waterproof trousers & jackets if required (adult sizes small to extra-large)
- All the necessary safety equipment including auto inflate life-jacket
If the weather is unsuitable for sailing, alternative dates will be agreed. Please read our Terms & Conditions.
Please make a note of your start time when booking your course.
The second day sometimes starts up to an hour later depending on the tide.
Click here for course joining instructions
| Start | Time | Finish | Places left |
| POSSIBLE 2021 DATES | |||
| Sat/Sun 26/27 June | |||
| Mon/Tue 28/29 June | |||
| Thu/Fri 8/9 July | |||
| Sat/Sun 10/11 July | |||
| Mon/Tue 12/13 July | |||
| Wed/Thu 14/15 July | |||
| Sat/Sun 24/25 July | |||
| Mon/Tue 26/27 July | |||
| Wed/Thu 28/29 | |||
| Sat/Sun 7/8 August | |||
| Mon/Tue 9/10 August | |||
| Wed/Thu 11/12 August | |||
| Sat/Sun 21/22 August | |||
| Mon/Tue 23/24 August | |||
| Wed/Thu 25/26 August | |||
| Fri/Sat 27/28 August | |||
| Tue/Wed 7/8 September | |||
| Thu/Fri 9/10 September | |||
| Sat/Sun 11/12 September | |||
| Mon/Tue 20/21 September | |||
| Wed/Thu 22/23 September | |||
Click here for course joining instructions
"Patient and calm instructors. Different modes of learning. Felt able to ask questions and make mistakes. Great activities and tasks"
"Instructors have great knowledge and can pass this knowledge on in a very pleasant and efficient way"
"Patient explanation and good humour"
"Excellent throughout. Great teaching. Practical tutorship brilliant. (Weather perfect!)"
"Learnt a lot in 2 days!"
" The whole day was terrific. I really enjoyed it"
"The instructors complemented each other and were really knowledgeable"
I most liked...
"the balance of theory & practical and the opportunity for plenty of 'hands-on' practice.
Deirdre's explanation of rules of the road was excellent"
"the personal attention of the instructor, the boat and equipment"
"how the theory backed up the practical & the amount of practical"
"the detail and thoroughness of the instruction"
"gaining a clearer understanding of the basic skillsto improve my overall confidence"
"the feeling of sailing close to the wind and how everyone worked as a team"
"Excellent good all-round course. Deirdre is an excellent teacher"