Kipper Sailing has a great deal of experience teaching beginners to enjoy crewing a yacht. We know that you'll be apprehensive at first, so we go to great lengths to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable while you learn the ropes.

Beginners can either take the introductory, 5 day Competent Crew course or our 14 day Fastrack Day Skipper course, which combines a 5 day Competent Crew course with a 9 day, combined theory and practical Day Skipper course.

After meeting your fellow students, you'll be given a full safety briefing together with an understanding of how the domestic arrangements operate. Of course, you are encouraged to ask questions throughout the course and, if you don't fully understand something, we'll try to find a way of explaining it that makes sense.

Each day we'll sail to another harbour or anchorage and there'll be lots of opportunity for you to help hoist and trim the sails; steer; prepare to come alongside a marina berth; pick up a mooring or drop anchor. You'll also gain an appreciation basic science of sailing; learn to tie the important knots and hear about some of the history and traditions of yachting.

All you need is some warm clothes and soft-soled shoes. We can provide you with foul weather gear and a sleeping bag, if you need them, and we'll send you detailed joining instructions, including a full packing-list, about a month before you course starts.