Training

Each year we organise a wide range of practical sailing courses.

We aim to have something for everyone from those who are new to sailing right through to yachtmasters who have aspirations to become an instructor.

  • If you have already enjoyed a sail and you want to learn more then you may want to look at doing a  Competent Crew  Course.
  • If you want to become a skipper and have completed a shorebased Day Skipper Theory course then you should consider the RYA shorebased Day Skipper theory course and the Day Skipper Practical course.
    • RYA syllabus for shorebased theory course
    • RYA syllabus for Day Skipper Practical.

Corporate Membership of the Army Sailing Association (ASA) * New *

All CSSA members now have access to all practical and shore based courses run by the ASC at competitive prices.
Step 1. Find the course for you.
 
Step 2. Complete the application form. Leave blank any sections that only apply to the Army.  Don’t forget to enter CSSA/24 in the ASA Membership no box.
 
Step 3. Email the form to Lisa:  lwinchester@britisharmysport.com do not send any payment at this stage. You will receive an email confirmation of availability, or not, on the course from Lisa.
Step 4. Once Lisa has confirmed your place on the course. Make timely BACS payment direct to ASA using the bank details on the application form to secure your place.
Step 5. Approximately 4 weeks before the course you will receive detailed joining instructions for your course.
If you have any queries email Lisa:  lwinchester@britisharmysport.com or Guy Bennett: training@channelsailing.org

 

Shorebased Theory

RYA shorebased Day Skipper theory course (Work in progress)

Becoming a CSSA Skipper

Day skippers who want to progress to becoming a CSSA Approved Skipper will benefit from a mentor.  Courses for this include:

  • RYA Shorebased Yachtmaster Theory (Not offered by CSD/CSSA)
  • RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course
  • CSD Offers a seven day ‘YM Prep’ Course + YM Exam on Sea Essay:
    • Five days with an experience Yachtmaster Instructor (YMI)
    • Two days of Exams
  • RYA syllabii and pre-requisites for Yachtmaster Coastal, Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean Certificates of Competence Exam

We are sometimes also able to organise specialist short courses such as First Aid, Radar and Marine Radio.

As a not-for-profit Club run by volunteers, we offer very competitive training rates. Under the watchful eye of our experienced Skipper Instructors, we offer you a safe learning environment in which you can face-up to your sailing demons.

So far as possible, courses are run on board the Club’s yacht Sea Essay of Hamble

Non-RYA introductory events and Short Practical Courses

  • Introductory Day Sails – These are fun days out on the Solent’s sheltered waters that are intended to give a taster to novice crews to help decide whether sailing is for them.
  • * New Course * Boat Handling under Sail and PowerMore info
  • Electronic Plotter Course – This is an 1/2 to 1-day course held on Sea Essay which give users hands-on experience designed to get the best out of the kit fitted in Sea Essay.   The organiser for this course can be contacted at csddaysails@gmail.com
  • Radar Practical – This is currently under development but will provide an opportunity for members to practice navigation, pilotage and collision avoidance using radar.
  • Coaching –  Members requiring coaching should seek advice from a skipper they have enjoyed sailing with or contact the CSD Training Organiser who may be able to organise a coaching event.   For those who have some sailing experience but wish to improve their close-quarters boat-handling skills.  See Boat Handling under Sail and Power (above)
  • CSD Mentor Scheme – If you are interested in finding a sailing mentor or if you are a skipper interested in supporting members progression in sailing please see the CSDs Mentoring Scheme – CSD121

RYA Practical Courses

Channel Sailing Division is not an RYA Recognised Training Establishment so formal RYA courses will be delivered in association with commercial providers (details TBC):

  • Competent Crew (no previous experience required) and Day Skipper – 5-day RYA syllabus with instruction by RYA qualified Skipper Instructors.  If competent, students receive an RYA Course Completion Certificate.
  • Pre-exam preparation & refresher for RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore candidates – 6 or 7 days with candidates demonstrating their abilities in a practical examination with an independent professional RYA Examiner. Successful candidates receive a Certificate of Competence and are eligible to apply for CSSA Approved Skipper status.

Sea Time Cruises

Although not formal training courses, weekend and 7-day cruises can be used to gain RYA logbook entries such as sea time, mileage and night hours that satisfy course and examination requirements. If you are lucky enough to have an RYA instructor aboard, it may also be possible to get sections of the logbook signed-off for specific practical abilities.

Further information

Contacts

Channel Sailing is a division of the CSSA