Qualified sailors are safer sailors

Sailing as a sporting leisure activity is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. From local inland boating clubs to open sea experiences it has never been a better time to take up sailing. Every time you take your boat out it will be different, being ruled by the elements sailing is an amazing way to get away from your stressful life and unwind.

The first thing you need to accept is that you need to learn the ropes in order to be a safe sailor. In the UK the national body for all types of boating is the RYA, they promote safe sailing and you can take RYA sailing courses that certify you at each level as competent. If you want to sail then you should get yourself qualified, in fact, in order to charter a yacht or sail as crew on larger boats you may find that it is essential to be adequately certified.

Over the winter when the evenings are dark and there is only sailing to be had during the day, if your working life permits it, or at the weekends. However, you can pursue your passion by spending the dark nights studying for a RYA course or more advanced sailing qualifications so that when the weather permits you can get out on the water knowing more than you did before.

You may find that some colleges run evening classes that are RYA approved, but the problem with night school is that they are only one night a week and if it doesn't fit with your personal timetable then attending may not be possible. Additionally, you may find that it is a long trek to the nearest college offering the courses or that the courses are too basic for your level of sailing. One solution to this is to take a home based course.

The beauty of studying at home is that you can fit it into your life when and how you choose. One company offering RYA and MCA Sailing Courses for home study is http://www.oceantraining.com/.

If you are looking for a suitable provider then we think that they could be perfect and when you consider that they provide training for the RNLI then they definitely come out top of the list. Ocean Training offer home study courses from the most basic navigation and safety right through to Yachtmaster Ocean and beyond. If you want to be a better sailor then they are a good place to start.