Instructor courses

Instructors and coaches are crucial to the development of our sport. They provide many first time experiences as well as support for sailors throughout their learning.

Instructors inspire people to get involved in boating activity for recreation, competition or as a career. Learn more about the range of instructor courses offered by the RYA.

Instructing experience

In order to revalidate your certificate you will need to list instructing experience gained within the relevant training scheme, at an RYA Recognised Training Centre within the last five years.

If your qualification is more than one year out of date or if you have not completed more than 30 hours of instructing in the last five years, you must submit an observation form with your revalidation application. That form must be completed by an appropriately qualified Principal, Chief Instructor, Coach or Trainer, who will need to observe you assisting on an RYA course relevant to your revalidation. If this applies to you, please make sure you get your observation form completed prior to starting your revalidation application.

For instructors of the National Sailing and Windsurfing Schemes, whose qualification is more than 5 years past the indicated expiry date, you will be asked to undergo an assessment with a nominated and appropriate RYA Trainer. Please contact RYA Training for advice and the actions required. Instructors who are qualified for National Sailing Scheme or Windsurfing, whose award is significantly out of date, by 10 years or more, will be asked to re-do the full instructor course

Further learning

In addition to the RYA instructor courses, there are further advanced sailing courses available to deepen your expertise in specific areas. Each course is designed to foster professional development, ensuring instructors are well equipped to teach.