RYA Day Skipper Theory
Classroom Course
The RYA Day Skipper theory course involves 40 hours of tuition. It covers all the basic theory you need to know to navigate safely on short tidal passages by day. We strongly recommend you do Day Skipper theory before attending the 5-day practical course.
Bay Sea School teach two Day Skipper courses each winter. The first on Sundays in the autumn, with a second course on Saturdays in the new year. Classes are held in spacious facilities at a local school, just 10 mins from junction 34 on the M6 motorway.
What's Special About Bay Sea School?
You'll be taught by the award-winning RYA 'Instructor of the Year'. John is no ordinary RYA theory instructor. He's a Yachtmaster Instructor and an Examiner. That's top notch in the RYA Instructor world! So if experience, quality instruction and depth of knowledge are important to you, don't miss John's classroom Day Skipper course. Deirdre is also an RYA instructor & professional violin teacher. She assists John with the class.
Bonus Online Facility
When you choose Bay Sea School you'll have access to John's unique online study feature. It includes explanatory video tutorials and extra practise exercises along with the answers to check your own work as you go. John is available during the week by phone and email if you have any extra questions during your course.
What do I need?
The RYA course pack and certificate is included in the course price. You'll need to provide your own writing equipment, notebook, pair of dividers & Portland course plotter. Scroll to the bottom of this page for links to buy the plotter and divider kit.
Optional Online Preparatory Course
Essential Navigation & Seamanship provides a short pre-view of many of the topics covered in more depth on the day skipper theory course. It's worth knowing that the RYA provide a FREE set of dividers & Portland plotter with the 'Essential Navigation & Seamanship' course pack too. This short online course for beginners is a great way to get started right now. You don't have to do the Essential Navigation course first. It's just that Day Skipper theory covers a huge amount of material & moves on quickly to cover it all. Many of our clients appreciate getting to grips with the basics first on this short online course. They like the free plotter & dividers too!
Day Skipper course topics include:
All the basics of coastal navigation using both traditional and electronic methods, position fixing, estimated position, planning a course to steer, tidal streams & tidal heights, weather forecasting, navigation buoys, collision regulations, emergency & safety equipment, VHF distress calls on real radios, flares, life-jackets, life-rafts and much more!
Can I do the course online?
Yes, but not at Bay Sea School. We strongly recommend the classroom delivery to have the best chance of success. You get to meet other sailors too, which makes for a broader learning experience. Having a great instructor certainly helps as well!
"What an amazing course and instructor...
John Parlane thank you for sharing your expertise and for your patience." Justine 2017
Feedback from our clients suggests they prefer having more time between classes than is possible with the intensive options of every day for 5 days or three consecutive weekends. If you work full-time & have family life to juggle as well you'll appreciate the extra time to absorb what you learn. We want you to enjoy your journey from beginner to day skipper and get full value from the teaching too.
Want a Day Skipper refresher?
"If you don't use it, you'll lose it" is an all too familiar saying. If it's several years since your Day Skipper Theory course or if you're struggling with aspects of an online course, why not treat yourself this winter to a new Day Skipper classroom course with John?
'Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore' Theory
You don't have to attend a Day Skipper practical course before moving on with navigation. Day Skipper theory introduces you to the basic navigation techniques. The next stage is 'Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore' theory. This is another 40 hour course which shows you how to use those basic tools to plan longer passages by night & day. If you're sailing in UK waters, you'll definitely need this level of knowledge to stay safe! Our Day Skippers frequently ask questions about longer passages and tides that fall in between the averages. Those are some of the gaps filled in on the 'Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore' theory course the following winter.
Private Day Skipper courses & coaching
These can be arranged throughout the year. However John has more availability in the winter months mid-week outside of the sailing season. Please get in touch for more details.
| 6-Day Course Dates | Start Time | Places Left |
|
Sundays: Oct 6th, 20th, Nov 3rd, 17th, Dec 1st, 15th |
9.30 am |
12 |
|
2020 Proposed dates Saturdays: Jan 4th, 18th, Feb 1st, 15th, 29th, March 14th |
9.30 am | 12 |
Click here for course joining instructions
What our clients say about a Day Skipper Theory course with us
"I’m so enjoying the course with you, you are a fantastic, knowledge, patient and calm person and I really appreciate the effort to go to make us feel welcome and at ease with you and each other."
"Outstanding!"
"I've enjoyed every minute"
"Quality of instruction was fantastic. Very enjoyable course"
"John was brilliant, very informative and very easy to learn from."
"Excellent. I've learnt a tremendous amount and will hopefully go on to further courses with this instructor"
"What am I going to do now? I'm going to miss going there each week. I've got to wait till April until I can start my actual sailing, Can't wait!"
"Just completed my Day Skipper theory course with John Parlane at Bay Sea School. John and Dierdre are an absolute delight. John is extremely knowledgeable and has great teaching skills, he was very patient. I travelled a hundred miles each Sunday to do my course. Learnt a lot. Laughed a lot and made great friends. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending people to do their theory courses here."
"When I felt overwhelmed or something just wasn't taking, your patience and understanding was over and above ! I cannot recommend or praise you and Deirdre enough and will spread the word as much as I can. It's very unusual to find someone so knowledgeable who also has the gift to get it across in the right way. At Bay Sea School you have this in oodles! A life changing experience for me so thank you." - Dave
