Charlie takes a RYA Day Skipper Course
This happened totally by coincidence. A month before, Charlie wasn’t even sure whether she would take a plane that year. Lockdown restrictions after the Coronavirus pandemic had just been lifted and she was keen to get out of London, but boarding a plane was still a strange thought. If it hadn’t been for her friend Pablo, Charlie would have never planned a trip to Athens and never considered sailing. But sometimes, things happen unexpectedly in life. That’s how she suddenly found herself on a ferry from Piraeus (Athens) to Syros at 7 am on a sunny August morning.
Usually, the sailing courses that 7SeasSailing offers start and finish in Athens from Saturday to Saturday. Charlie was taking the ferry and joined the crew in Syros because her trip to Athens was from Tuesday to Tuesday. It was great that George, the owner of 7Seas, and Vangelis, the sailing instructor, were so flexible to accommodate Charlie’s schedule.
RYA Yachtmaster Scheme
The RYA Yachtmaster Scheme is split in two separate qualifications: Sailing and Motor cruising. Additionally, 7SeasSailing offers Powerboat courses.
Learning to sail is usually a journey and requires dedication, practice and experience. Interested candidates start with shore-based courses for the theoretical foundation whilst it is recommended to get some sailing experience before taking the official course, ideally two days of sailing and a course “Essential Navigation and Seamanship”. This is then followed by 5 days at sea to become a competent crew member. This is then followed by theoretical and practical courses for Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper. The final step is the Yachtmaster exam. 7SeasSailing offers those RYA courses from Athens and you also get to sail in a beautiful landscape between the Greek islands.
RYA Motor Cruising Courses
Motor cruising certificates have one step less than the Sailing scheme as there is no such thing as a competent crew member for motor cruising. The practical qualifications are Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper. The journey also starts with some practical experience and a shore-based course, the Helmsman’s course.
Every participant for these courses is given a logbook where hours and competencies are recorded by the instructor. It contains the syllabus so that you will never miss a step on your journey towards becoming a skipper.
Sailing with 7Seas
When you take a sailing course from Athens, there is one great advantage: You get to sail between the Greek islands, swim in crystal clear waters, explore the rich culture and landscapes and you might even get a sun burn. You’ll spend time with the other crew members, go for a swim together in the most beautiful marinas and finish the day with traditional food and a drink or two on the beach. Apart from the learning experience, you’ll get everything a good holiday needs. Maybe add one or two days in Athens before your sailing experience and tick the Acropolis off your bucket list as well.
The learning experience with 7Seas is very interactive and focused on practical use, but most of all, it is great fun. The instructor approaches it with some witty charm and is always up for a good joke (or even a bad one at times). Charlie believes that you can learn a lot faster when you’re having a good time. He also adds practical exercises to ensure you retain and use the theoretical knowledge and know how to put it in practice.
If you are interested in learning more about the Greek islands and the local culture, the instructor will also help with this and always provides additional information about the places where you drop the anchor.
Charlie had a really good time sailing with 7Seas. The trip was totally spontaneous, but she would always do it again! She wouldn’t have missed this experience for the world!
If you’d like to read more about Charlie’s experience on board the sailing boat “First”, check out the below posts.
How to budget your RYA Skipper Course in Greece
7SeasSailing offers different courses to prepare on land and learn on the water. You can do the Essential Navigation and Seamanship Course online for €180. A shore-based Day Skipper theory course starts at €600. A one-week sail cruising course on the boat (Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper) starts at €860 during off-season. This includes all expenses on the yacht, accommodation and instructors’ fees. The only thing you’ll have to book separately will be your flight to Athens.60 EUR / 52-62 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)
Sailing Trip Checklist
Charlie’s spontaneous sailing trip has taught her a few things. She had never been so unprepared for a trip and wants you to sail off into the sunrise with better preparation. In general, you won’t need much. There isn’t a lot of storage space in the cabin anyways. (The hairdryer can stay at home!) On the boat, you will be barefoot, i.e. you only need a pair of flip flops for the beach and something for the evening where you might walk a bit up the hill. If it is important for you to stay connected, a spare battery or a power bar for your phone are recommended as you might have days without power supply. Here are a few things you should definitely take with you:
- Seasickness tablets
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Swimsuit
- Beach towel
- Warm clothes
- Waterproof jacket
- Clothes to protect against the sun and the wind (e.g. hat, long sleeves)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you do a sailing course from Athens?
Yes! 7SeasSailingSchool offers RYA certified sailing courses from Athens. You start from the port of Piraeus and you get back there. If you would like to join the crew somewhere else on the Greek islands, please contact 7Seas directly.
When do sailing courses from Athens start?
Courses start every Saturday and finish the Saturday after. If you would like to join another day of the week, please contact 7Seas directly.
What RYA certifications are available with 7SeasSailingSchool?
With 7 Seas you can do RYA courses for Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, Motor Cruising and Power Boat courses.
What can you learn in a week of sailing?
It all depends on your sailing experience. If you have no experience at all, you can become a Competent Crew member in a week. You will learn everything about the boat, the lines, how to tie knots, how to put the sails up and down, how to navigate at sea and you will be able to take the helm under the instructions of a skipper.
How much is a RYA sailing course in Greece?
A one-week sailing course with 7Seas (Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper) starts at €860 during off-season. This includes all expenses on the yacht, accommodation and instructors’ fees. Flights to Athens need to be booked separately.
Where do I sleep during a sailing course?
You will have your own cabin on the boat where you sleep and store all your things. Bathrooms are shared during the trip, linen and towels are provided.
What if I get seasick?
If you are worried about seasickness it is recommended to take a seasickness tablet in the morning. If you start to feel funny, just let the skipper know and he/she will either let you take the helm (which really helps!) or let you sit on the side to look at the horizon. That works like magic!
What should I bring?
Anything you need for the sun/beach (sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, beach towel), some seasickness tablets, a waterproof jacket for when the ocean gets wild, clothes to protect against sun and wind (e.g. hat, long sleeves) and a set of warm clothes (if you wonder why, read about Charlies last day of sailing).