Learn to sail with our RYA sailing school

You have probably arrived here because you have decided you would like to start sailing or want to progress to a higher sailing qualification and need to find out how the courses are structured and how you may book a sail training course.

If you’re not sure where to start, then the RYA ‘Competent Crew’ course is a good starting point. The course lasts a week and gives you an all-round grounding in how to sail a yacht. For full details of the various courses and how they relate to each other, please refer to our RYA Sailing course structure page, but please remember, we’re always happy to discuss your particular interests & requirements.

Poros Yachting Academy - an RYA recognised training centre

Greek Sails offer sail training at our own sailing school, Poros Yachting Academy, which is a recognised Royal Yachting Association (RYA) sail training centre. The RYA is one of the foremost sail training organisations in the world and RYA sailing qualifications are recognised & accepted by yacht charter companies all over the world.

The RYA provides a range of courses starting with the aptly named ‘Start yachting’ course, right up to the ‘Yachtmaster Ocean’ qualification that qualifies you to skipper a vessel of up to 200 gross tonnes anywhere in the world! The training includes both theory & practical courses and for the higher qualifications, independent examination.

RYA sailing courses offered by Poros Yachting Academy (PYA)

We offer a full range of both practical (non-tidal) & theory (shore-based) sail training courses suitable all levels of sailing experience, from the novice to those with experience & existing sailing qualifications seeking to achieve higher qualification.

The RYA practical sailing courses Poros Yachting Academy offer are:

• Start Yachting (practical)
• Competent Crew (practical)
• Day Skipper non-tidal (practical)
• Coastal Skipper non-tidal (practical & exam preparation)
• Yachtmaster (exam preparation)

Poros Yachting Academy also run RYA theory (shore-based) courses:

• Basic Navigation & Safety (shore-based)
• Day Skipper (shore-based)
• Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster (shore-based)
• Marine Radio Short Range Certificate course (VHF Radio)

Non-RYA sailing courses offered by Poros Yachting Academy (PYA)

For those not wanting to take a formal sailing course, Poros Yachting Academy also offer a range of non-RYA sail training courses designed for those looking to refresh their sailing skills or who are sailing in the area for the first time. Because these aren't formal sailing courses following a prescribed syllabus, we are often able to tailor these courses to your individual needs.

These non-RYA sailing courses can also be combined with a week of sailing and a week of relaxing or exploring Poros and the nearby Peloponnese coast which is an excellent option for a mixed preference holiday group.

Poros Yachting Academy offer the following non-RYA sail training courses:

• Experience yachting sailing (non-training course)
• Pre-flotilla 3 day sail training course
• Pre-flotilla 6 day sail training course
• Pre-flotilla refresher sail training course
• Mile builder sailing cruises

You may book any of these sail training courses on one of our tuition yachts. These yachts accommodate a maximum of five students plus the instructor and all courses are in English.

Alternatively, if you are on your own or on one of our charter yachts for a holiday, we also offer our own yacht tuition option. In this case, all or part of your party (up to five students) can receive tuition. The group may be of mixed ability, with members qualifying at different levels depending on their experience and ability.

Pricing for learn to sail holidays

Pricing for our sailing courses and learn to sail holidays can be found in Table 6 on the ‘Sailing holiday, charter & learn to sail prices’ page.