I didn't know how to sail, so I took a RYA Course

If the answer is yes, you do need to find out what allto know what you are doing if you plan on being the
you have to do if you intend to do the sailing yourself. Iskipper of a yacht. It isn't something to be taken lightly.
know it sounds good to go out and rent a yacht for aHow can you tell your deck hands what to do if you
day, but there are a lot of things you need to knowyourself don't know? If you are just learning, it is fun to
before you get on the water. Any company, first of all,take sailing courses with other friends and even family.
is going to require you to have a RYA Day SkipperThat way, they are leaning at the same time you are
Practical Certificate. This one certificate is recognizedand you all learn from each others mistakes. Sailing
around the world by most companies, so if you havecourses can be allot of fun for everyone, and you can
your Rya Day Skipper Practical Certificate, you areform a bond with whoever your are taking your sailing
set, almost. Do you already know how to sail? Do youcourses with and be out on the water at the same
go out with friends and family sailing? If you do, thentime. To be a day skipper can be hard work and there
you know most of the basics for sailing. Justare a lot of rya courses to take on that. You will be in
remember that the courses for the Rya Day Skippercharge of allot of people and their safety is in your
Practical can take Five consecutive days to get, sohands whether it is for a weekend or a week, so you
there is a lot of planning if you plan to sail around thehave to know what your doing.
world or go out to some desert island with your lovedLastly, remember that RYA courses are meant to be
one.fun. If you're not having fun taking RYA courses, it's
To be a skipper is a great responsibility and you haveprobably time to do something else!