Some practical motor courses will also switch to a residential basis as before. Of course its not over yet and we have to recognise that there are growing risks of infection. So while we can all enjoy the greater freedom that comes with these changes, it's our duty to exercise the greatest possible care to minimise transmission of the virus.
Top quality RYA sail and motor cruising training at Chatham on the Medway in Kent - less than 1 hour from central London. Join our club for a modest annual fee and gain exclusive access to low cost club sailing events, discounted rates for all training courses, adventure sailing and flotillas, and first call for all standby sailings at good discounts.
Top quality RYA sail and motor cruising training at Chatham on the Medway in Kent - less than 1 hour from central London. Join our club for a modest annual fee and gain exclusive access to low cost club sailing events, discounted rates for all training courses, adventure sailing and flotillas, and first call for all standby sailings at good discounts.
Services
Elite Sailing offers RYA sail and motor cruising training at Chatham on the Medway in Kent - less than one hour from central London. Elite Sailing is an accredited RYA training centre, and provides Professional and Leisure qualifications at every level from beginners' to experienced for sail or power.
If you are a beginner and are not sure if you would even like sailing, you could consider joining one of our sail training weekends in Chatham, Kent. These are relaxed and enjoyable sailing experiences in sheltered waters and you will learn a lot. After a first sailing weekend you will also qualify for the RYA 'Start Yachting' certificate - your first step on the RYA training pathway.
If you are a complete beginner you should go to the Learn to sail page for advice on how to get started in sail cruising. The Competent Crew course is much more than it sounds. It teaches you all about how to sail a yacht, all the deckwork, sail handling, maneouvering under sail, helmsmanship, ropes and knots, anchoring and mooring, and of course safety.
Learn how to sail a small yacht from first principles. This beginner's course over 16 hours focusses on the principles of sailing and development of natural sailing skills so that you know the basics of helming and crewing a small boat under sail. No prior experience is required. Join a group of 3 or 4 other sailors and our instructor will lead you through this hands-on and enjoyable experience from the beginning.
This RYA Competent Crew practical sailing course teaches you the basics of sailing and all the skills you need to be an effective member of a yacht crew. It is a complete basic sailing course suitable for beginners or those with some sailing experience (perhaps in dinghies) who want to ensure a good foundation before the next level.
Reviews (18)
Robin Archibald
Oct 26, 2021
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Five days in September 2021. Ours was a group of mixed sailing experience. One was already well qualified and doing his YachtMaster, another was doing his DaySkipper, and three were doing Competent Crew, of which I was one. I had already been on several flotilla holidays in the Med but this mix of experience meant that we covered so much more than just the Competent Crew syllabus, including navigation, pilotage and some night sailing. Simply being on the boat meant that we were learning almost by osmosis.
Our instructor, Steve, managed to keep us all fully engaged with a good balance of teaching
Our instructor, Steve, managed to keep us all fully engaged with a good balance of teaching
David Barrett
Sep 26, 2021
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I just come back from my first weekend for competent Crew and wow what a great experience I definitely think Ive got the sailing bug now. I was nervous before I started the course due to never sailing before. Also I thought I'd be meeting people completely different to myself and I wouldn't gel I am covered in tattoos and talk like someone from the cast of Harry brown 😂 but eveyone was sooo cool and the skipper big Steve Hodges was a proper lad an a great teacher! Spoke us through the whole process he also allowed us to make mistakes and Build our confidence to get it right. 👌
Anne Wroe
Aug 27, 2021
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The Adventure sailing programme is all about channelling that part of you that has always wanted to run away to sea. Tonic provides basic comfortable accommodation within a safe, fast sea-kindly yacht. Steve,… the skipper, kept us fed and happy whilst nudging us to go that bit further than we thought we were going to. Everyone on board had a great time. We will be back for more.
Ben Rowan
Aug 22, 2021
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A brilliant week of adventure sailing. I took part in the first leg of one of Elite’s 2021 round Britain circumnavigations and was very satisfied with the experience.
Steve is a great instructor who has outstanding local knowledge of anchorages, marinas, pubs, and sailing knowledge. He acts as a facilitator on board allowing the crew to really take charge yet he is always there to answer questions and advise when necessary. I loved his style of letting you make mistakes while sailing so you can learn from them, and I felt very safe knowing he was always a few steps ahead and able to predict
Steve is a great instructor who has outstanding local knowledge of anchorages, marinas, pubs, and sailing knowledge. He acts as a facilitator on board allowing the crew to really take charge yet he is always there to answer questions and advise when necessary. I loved his style of letting you make mistakes while sailing so you can learn from them, and I felt very safe knowing he was always a few steps ahead and able to predict
Andrew Watts
Jul 26, 2021
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I’m on a bespoke fast track yachtmaster programme. I started with three weeks of adventure sailing followed by a coastal skipper course in Chatham. While communication with Elite hasn’t always been quick, or ideal, the sailing has been fantastic. Steve is an excellent coach - he often pushes you out of your comfort zone but is always reassuring and supportive. And when you’re struggling his humour gets you through. You get to do more than you thought you could do and it’s a lot of fun. A sensible approach to sailing is always adopted, making classroom sailors into real world mariners with
Edward
Jul 24, 2021
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I recommend anyone really interested in sailing and wanting to get the best instruction available at the best price to go with Elite Sailing School. I just finished the Day Skipper practical and it was an absolutely phenomenal experience. Nicole and the staff at Elite made the registration process as simple as possible and Steve, my instructor was stellar. He willing to work with me on skills I had already learned, but more importantly, taught me so much more about sailing I had never before considered (and I’ve been on boats my entire life). Steve is a master at imparting crucial knowledge,
Keith Parker
Jun 26, 2021
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The whole trip was fantastic. The sailing was excellent and ports/marinas/anchorages we visited were varied and well thought through. Steve the Skipper was very experienced and guided us all along at the pace we felt comfortable with.
I would thoroughly recommend Elite Sailing to engine thinking of taking a sailing course or cruise.
I would thoroughly recommend Elite Sailing to engine thinking of taking a sailing course or cruise.
Andrew Greenway
Jun 22, 2021
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Just completed four legs of Elite Sailing’s Round Britain adventure. It delivered everything I had hoped for - improve my sailing, see many places I’ve always wanted to visit, challenge myself, meet new likeminded people, create some unforgettable memories....
I would recommend this trip to others but not to be entered into lightly in my view. At times it was very tough.
I would recommend this trip to others but not to be entered into lightly in my view. At times it was very tough.
Vincent Easter
Jun 15, 2021
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Just completed Lossiemouth to Oban.
Great crack with good bunch of lads including the skipper.
Lots of practical opportunities and no pressure. Achieved my objective to gain more experience and confidence for Day Skipper qualification.
Shetland & Fair Isle missed due to weather. However, more time spent in Orkney, which is probably more realistic for sailing round Britain. Orkney has a lot to offer for shore exploration. I’m going to have to go back there.
Had fantastic weather for west coast legs, only one Minke whale spot to report though.
For anyone thinking of taking an adventure sail
Great crack with good bunch of lads including the skipper.
Lots of practical opportunities and no pressure. Achieved my objective to gain more experience and confidence for Day Skipper qualification.
Shetland & Fair Isle missed due to weather. However, more time spent in Orkney, which is probably more realistic for sailing round Britain. Orkney has a lot to offer for shore exploration. I’m going to have to go back there.
Had fantastic weather for west coast legs, only one Minke whale spot to report though.
For anyone thinking of taking an adventure sail
Sonny Maiorano
Aug 13, 2020
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In a nutshell - Elite is a great school.
I've become an Elite customer because the school was close to London, then I've become a loyal customer because I love the club values, ethos and personality, very very friendly, I feel part of a great sailing community.
This year has been my third time at Elite. Steve, the instructor, has been amazing. I can say exactly the same thing of the previous instructions I had. They are all personable, knowledgeable and with superb teaching skills.
I'm looking forward to seeing you again for another course
I've become an Elite customer because the school was close to London, then I've become a loyal customer because I love the club values, ethos and personality, very very friendly, I feel part of a great sailing community.
This year has been my third time at Elite. Steve, the instructor, has been amazing. I can say exactly the same thing of the previous instructions I had. They are all personable, knowledgeable and with superb teaching skills.
I'm looking forward to seeing you again for another course
Dave Ric
Jul 27, 2020
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Richard Standen
Jul 15, 2020
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Clive ONeill
Jul 09, 2020
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Colm O. Cuanachain
Jun 12, 2020
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I joined the Adventure Sailing trip around Britain for a week onboard Tonic, with Steve. The entire experience was great from beginning to end. Adventure Sailing is exactly that, with some long passages in conditions that were sometimes challenging yet always safe. We had variety and a chance to try different aspects of coastal sailing throughout the week. It was a great opportunity to put the training from Day Skipper course in to practice.
Roger Azevedo
Nov 16, 2019
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Therese Patterson
Aug 17, 2019
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Harry Rogers
Jul 22, 2019
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Marilyn Ashworth
Jul 09, 2019
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Had a great weekend boat handling with Chief Instructor Steve. Practised manoeuvring in the marina, coming alongside, using the lock and picking up buoys in the river, in different wind and tide conditions. Steve was great at explaining everything and despite varied experience the whole group had plenty of practice at the right level. A real confidence builder!
