RYA training centres with winter warmth (non-EU)

[RunAgroundHard]

Mullet made no suggestion of parsimony - he wanted ideas. No need to tell me the costs of flights back to Europe, we went to North Cape this summer - we decided it was worth it - and have not regretted it since. Maybe you would be surprised how many Brits come to Oz - just for a holiday (some like it so much they come back to live. ).

Jonathan

It was just information. You are always banging on about information. Yet you reject information in this case.

The OP gave examples of destinations. Using the available information and some assumptions, I offered some facts, information.

There is no need to tell me where you have been, I am disinterested, as it is irrelevant to this thread.

 

[capnsensible]

I've a window this winter when I need to leave the EU for a few days (90/180 related) and it could potentially be a good time to do the Coastal Skipper Course that I've wanted to do for a while. Much as I enjoy British waters, if I'm doing a course in February or early-March I'd prefer to go somewhere warmer.

Does anyone have any recommendations of sailing schools in warm places? Anywhere I should consider beyond the Caribbean? Somewhere that could be reached with BA air miles flights (potentially Barbados, Antigua, Aruba, St Lucia, St Kitts, Turks, Trinidad and Tobago, Caymans, also Bermuda and Bahamas) would make it easier to justify. All suggestions/opinions gratefully received (as long as they aren't of the "suck it up and enjoy the Solent in the snow like we did in my day" variety).

Gib RTCs certainly visit Spain. So probably bin that.

A friend of ours had a great time doing his yachtmaster prep at a school in Cape Town. Perhaps that fits for you and gobbles up some air miles?

 

[capnsensible]

Mullet made no suggestion of parsimony - he wanted ideas. No need to tell me the costs of flights back to Europe, we went to North Cape this summer - we decided it was worth it - and have not regretted it since. Maybe you would be surprised how many Brits come to Oz - just for a holiday (some like it so much they come back to live. ).

Jonathan

A lot don't....

 

[capnsensible]

You are right, the two main schools are Trafalgar and Jolly Parrot and their courses will inevitably have you in Spain unless you booked something custom with them.

RYA sailing courses in Gibraltar | Trafalgar Sailing School Gibraltar

RYA Sailing School | Jolly Parrot Sailing

It's peak season in the Caribbean so do make sure you can book your flights using your Avios points first.

At the risk of being picky, Trafalgar Sailing is a small school. If you wanted to choose a 'main' school, try Allabroad.

 

[mullet]

Thanks for the suggestions.

The inferences of parsimony were somewhat correct - hence wanting to use Air Miles rather than paying cash for flights. Australia/NZ are very tempting destinations but a flight would somewhat blow the budget (and Air Miles fares to Aus/NZ are like hens' teeth). SA was not somewhere I had considered, definitely a possible option, I will investigate.

Current front runner is a school in Antigua. Only concern is that they are small and have not yet confirmed they definitely have enough takers to guarantee the course would go ahead. I don't want to book flights then find they cancel the course a week beforehand because they are short on numbers.

 

[westernman]

Thanks for the suggestions.

The inferences of parsimony were somewhat correct - hence wanting to use Air Miles rather than paying cash for flights. Australia/NZ are very tempting destinations but a flight would somewhat blow the budget (and Air Miles fares to Aus/NZ are like hens' teeth). SA was not somewhere I had considered, definitely a possible option, I will investigate.

Current front runner is a school in Antigua. Only concern is that they are small and have not yet confirmed they definitely have enough takers to guarantee the course would go ahead. I don't want to book flights then find they cancel the course a week beforehand because they are short on numbers.

Thailand might be good for Air Miles.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Go outside your comfort zone and go somewhere exotic

Australia, and I expect NZ, do RYA courses.

Obviously there will be cultural and linguistic problems but we are very understanding. February is still summer here but March and then April you are into autumn and sea temps off Sydney will be a chilly 24 degrees.

Jonathan

Cape Town Summer is coming

Several RYA sailing Schools in Cape Town

Direct flights are also available to Cape Town

With the current Exchange rate very cost effective

 

[colind3782]

I did the comp crew course many years ago in Phuket when it was Sunsail. Great weather and a fun skipper and crew.

 

[Neeves]

It was just information. You are always banging on about information. Yet you reject information in this case.

The OP gave examples of destinations. Using the available information and some assumptions, I offered some facts, information.

There is no need to tell me where you have been, I am disinterested, as it is irrelevant to this thread.

It is a real and unusual pleasure to identify that someone actually reads my posts, remembers them and then acts accordingly. I must admit I had not thought of costs, when I was suggesting data would be useful, it is useful to be brought down to the real world. Keep up the good work.

Jonathan