Recommended place to do Day Skipper / Comp Crew in Med

[ska_mna]

Hi guys, can anyone recommend any places in the med to do my Day Skipper? Would also be taking my girlfriend to do her Competent Crew. I gather you can go over and do it all in a week or something. Places and best times of year? Don't want to spend a fortune either, so somewhere that is good but won't break the bank. Any pointers most appreciated! Thanks.

 

[Abigail]

Hi,

it depends whether you want your tidal certificate. If you're in the Med proper you wn't get the tidal experience, so if you're plannng to do a lot of UK sailing afterwards you might welcome the training. On the other hand if most of your future sailing is likely to be flotillas in the Med it's less important.

To find somewhere that does the courses then go on the RYA site and look up their accredited schools. I did a lot of my training on the Algarve but the school's changed hands since and I can't say whether it's as good. Other people on here might know good or bad of specific schools. Otherwise pick somewhere you fancy actually going.

Have a fab holiday.

 

[gjbentley]

Has to be Gibralter.

Tidal certficate, with Spain and Morroco along the way.

Good wind, and lots of fun calculating your passage across the straits.

Remember it is only a bit a paper, (DS cert), the real qualificaton is when you go sailing without a RYA Instructor onboard.

 

[Richard10002]

Rob and Jules at www.rusailing.com in Lagos on the Algarve.

Janet and I did Competent Crew and Yachtmaster with them last year, and 2 of their Dayskiper trainees crewed for me on my Yachtmaster exam.

All 4 of us would confirm that we had a fabulous time, learned more than you could imagine, and came away with two new friends.

You might find schools that are as good, but you would be hard pressed to find better.

Tidal aswell.

Cheers

Richard

 

[PlanB]

Sun Coast, of Duquesa (between Gib and Estepona) and this forum! Although just inside the Med, still gives tidal qualification.

 

[kieronriley]

Ill second Gib for the same reasons grand slam

 

[jimbaerselman]

If you're looking only to sail in the Med at this stage, have a look at this link : Neilson Holidays . They'll train you as a couple, then let you loose in charge for a second week.

You'd need to add tidal training some other time to get a 'Day Skipper' ticket, and that would be essential if you want to be in charge in UK waters.

 

[jbridges]

Highly recomend Peter and Lorie at http://www.farosailingschool.com/

Did my Day Skipper with them when they were based in Ibiza. Since then they have moved to Faro. Will not hesitate to use them again when I go on to Coastal Skipper and onwards.

Regards
James

 

[st599]

Gibraltar

 

[Conachair]

Might be worth looking at canaries as well. I did coastal with clubsail a few years back, maybe more schools now. Seem to remember costs similar though flights might be bit more. Warm all year round.

 

[Sailfree]

If you are going to all the bother of a DS it seems a pity not to go the extra bit and get tidal.

Only do non -tidal if 200% certain you only want to sail/charter around the Med - the other 99% of the world is tidal.

Definately think most SWMBO's prefera warmer experience and a more holiday environment so would recommend Gibraltar or the Atlantic coast ofv Portugal or Spain.

Would not worry about individual sailing schools though as nearly all RYA instuctors are a pretty high standard but quality of boats between schools can vary if thats important to you.

We did ours in Gibraltar and I got a particular kick saying I have sailed to Africa even though its easier than most channel crossings to France.

Good Luck.

 

[david36]

I and my wife plus other friends have used Straits Sailing in Gib over a number of years and have always found them excellent. Plus the sun usually shines and the food and wine is good. They are brilliant at dealing with sometimes reluctant partners who have no sailing experience. You get a full tidal certicicate with them. Ad is in the back of sailing mags and they are very helpful if you telephone or email. Good luck

 

[Appleyard]

You say that you want to do the course in the Med......So....bearing this in mind,I would highly recommend the Aegean Sailing school www.aegeansailingschool.com who are based on the island of Aegina,a short hop from Athens. They do Day skipper and comp crew alongside each other so you will be able to keep each other right!! They won't break the bank either.

 

[jmac]

I'll be doing exactly the same as you in Gibraltar in January. I'll let you know how it goes if you can wait till then!

 

[Sailfree]

We did our with Straits Sailing but I hesitate to recommend anyone as in reality so few people are dissatified with the courses they attended the in effect everyone recommends whoever they went with.

We had our 1st boat on charter with Hamble School of Yachting and most speak highly of their instructors. I dont know the actual figures but believe the pass rate for YM is some 95% but for Instructors is only 50%. The RYA system tries hard to weed out the Captain Blighs and I believe most fail not on their knowledge but their inability/style of imparting it or their personality.

Many criticise the RYA schemes but I think that considering they are voluntary the high % take up is a tribute to their quality.

 

[swanny]

Hi, I recommend Allabroad (or was it allaboard) of Gibralter! certificates are of course tidal and importantly they let me do the theory and practical onboard during a two week period. My girlfriend (ex-girlfriend) joined me for the second week to complete her competent crew. We were able to share a double cabin during her stay. The team there make it fun and interesting and in January the weather was acceptable - some good, some not so good but never bad. I would/will go back to them for Coastal Skipper.

 

[jfm]

SunCoast (on this forum) if you want a tidal qual. If not tidal, then phil goodwin in beautiful Beaulieu on Cap Ferrat, south of France www.oceanpro.co.uk

 

[madliz]

Hi, I have trained in several places towards the med. Like most other answers, i'd suggest somehwere Tidal - the skills are much more transferable. I wouldn't suggest Gibraltar - it's dirty, polluted and the draw of 'sailing to Africa' is very week and as someone say's 'not as challenging as crossing the channel'. The schools there seem to be extremely commercial too. Better do it somewhere nice with quality sailing. Good luck finding a good school, there's one or two 'gems'! Liz