RYA Day Skipper Theory
Classroom Course
Scroll down for 2019 dates & booking
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. It's also the recommended theory course to do before attending a 5-day, Day Skipper practical course.
Bay Sea School teach two classroom courses each winter. The main course runs in the autumn with a second course 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's no ordinary RYA theory instructor. He's a Yachtmaster Instructor, Examiner & Training Centres inspector. 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's also an RYA instructor & professional violin teacher too. She often 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's 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 is included in the course price. You'll need to provide your own writing equipment, notebook, pair of dividers & Portland course plotter.
Optional Preparatory Course
It's worth knowing that the RYA provide a FREE set of dividers & Portland plotter with the 'Essential Navigation & Seamanship' course pack. It's a short online taster course for beginners and a good introduction to many of the topics you'll cover in more detail on Day Skipper theory. You don't have to do the Essential Navigation course first. It's just that Day Skipper covers a huge amount of material and has to move on quickly to cover it all. Many of our clients enjoy the solid foundation this short online course provides. They appreciate 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, including distress calls, flares, life-jackets, life-rafts and much more!
Can I do the course online?
Yes, Day Skipper theory courses are available online through various different providers. However we strongly recommend the classroom delivery to our clients. Nationally, the Day Skipper Theory course completion figures are much higher for the classroom version of the course. The interaction with other students makes for a broader learning experience and the structure of regular classes creates more focus to the course. Having a great instructor certainly helps too!
"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 the usual 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 this! 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 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 / Yachtmaster Theory
You don't have to attend a Day Skipper practical course before learning more about navigation. Day Skipper theory introduces you to the basic navigation techniques. The next stage is Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore theory which shows you how to use those basic tools to plan longer passages by night & day. If you're sailing in the Irish Sea 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 questions are answered more fully on their Coastal/Yachtmaster theory course the following winter.
Special Offer
After you've completed a Day Skipper theory course with Bay Sea School, you're welcome to return for occasional days to sit-in on a day's tuition. Just bring all your charts, almanac and plotting kit. There's no fixed charge. We just ask you to contribute whatever you feel the day's revision was worth to you. Please let us know in advance if you're coming. You'll need the current RYA course pack with the exercises to join in. Let us know if you'd like to buy one.
Email us or call John if you'd like any advice 07721 891 615
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 |
|
2019 Saturdays: Feb. 23rd, March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th |
9.30 am |
4 |
Click here for course joining instructions
What our clients say about a Day Skipper Theory course with us
"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
