RYA Accredited Sailing Courses

AIRLIE BEACH WEATHER

WHAT WE OFFER

Whether you want to be a master skipper or desire a romantic getaway sailing amongst turquoise blue tropical seas and islands, we have what you want. We specialise in personal service coupled with years of expertise to get you back to life as it should be.

Safety & Sea Survival Course

Safety & Sea Survival Course

The Safety & Sea Survival course involves classroom presentations & learning activities, and practical exercises in the use of liferafts, inflatable lifejackets & distress flares.

RYA Courses

RYA Courses

Whether you have never been on a yacht, or you just want to learn a bit more, we offer professionally run courses which will give you internationally recognised qualifications.

Week long sail Training trip

Week long sail Training trip

This is the trip you have been waiting for! Imagine a romantic trip amongst the Whitsunday tropical islands while you learn the basics of sailing.

Sustainable Sailing

Sustainable Sailing

You’re a young, active person who takes sustainability to heart. You refuse plastic bags in a store, and carry your own reusable water bottle.

MARITIME NEWS
We have a new crew member.- Welcome Oscar
Sunday, February 7, 2021
We have a new crew member.- Welcome Oscar

After Bob's sudden demise, we have taken on "Oscar" on to help our students with Man Overboard training.

BOB leaves us after a number of years of loyal service.
Sunday, February 7, 2021
BOB leaves us after a number of years of loyal service.

BOB moves on after traumatic years aboard Mohawk. When we asked him to stay on his reply was "I'm a frayed knot"

Mainstay Sailing - new office!
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Ron van Schaik
Mainstay Sailing - new office!

We finally did it - we moved into a new office at Coral Sea Marina!

Does Mainstay Sailing only teach sailing skills?
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Ron van Schaik
Does Mainstay Sailing only teach sailing skills?

At the end of each course the students get together to celebrate an end to a fantastic week in the Whitsundays

A thought for today in a COVID world
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Terence Smith
A thought for today in a COVID world

This message was received today on board Mohawk after a student posted a picture of us peacefully anchored at Gloucester Island.

Congratulations to James and Bec
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Terence Smith
Congratulations to James and Bec

James and Bec from Sydney managed to get up to Airlie just before borders closed. They spent a week of interesting sailing around the region.

Sea Safety and Survival Course Changes.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Terence Smith
Sea Safety and Survival Course Changes.

With COVID-19 restrictions around the world as well as the need to move with the times, the official Sea Safety and Survival Course (SSSC) has changed its format to be a blended learning course.

One of our favourite Brazillians drops in for a visit and a sunset sail
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Terence Smith
One of our favourite Brazillians drops in for a visit and a sunset sail

Ricardo, who over the last few years has gone from zero to Dayskipper with us, arrived out of the blue in his van "Bella" He was on his way home from an over-land trip to Cape Tribulation when he decided to pop in.

ABOUT US

Mainstay Sailing, through its owners, directors and all its staff will deliver the highest level of training and services to its customers and associates. We will keep up to date with the latest available equipment and technology, and share the information and knowledge to improve the enjoyment and safety in sailing, cruising and in boating in general. We will do our best to make it fun and interesting and stimulate a spirit of adventure in the process. We will tailor our teaching style and methods to cater for persons of all abilities and learning styles.

TERENCE SMITH

PRINCIPAL & CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

FAQ's

How about vessel deliveries?

We have the knowledge and skills to safely deliver your boat to its new port.

We respect the trust owners place on us. Years of blue water sailing experience has ensured that careful preparation, regular watch keeping and making sure the boat is safe at all times is essential for the safety of the people on board and the yacht.

At the same time we can provide tuition for you and your crew during the planning of the passage and the actual delivery itself. Extra crew can be arranged if required.There are four stages to a delivery exercise – preparation, leaving port, passage making and arrival with debrief

Our ethos

Our escapades bring you back to the fundamentals of life. Spending a few days on a boat brings out the best in human nature. Living and working together we talk a lot, laugh a lot, and put the world to rights. It is more than an escape from the complexity of life ashore; the fresh air, natural adrenalin and outdoor activity give your body a good physical detox too.

Charters for a couple?

The ultimate getaway for 2! Yacht charters and sailing cruises are one of the best ways to experience beauty of the Whitsundays. Choose from romantic overnight yacht charters for two, sailing cruises with meals and drinks, hands-on sailing trips or something with a touch of luxury. Once out on the glittering waves you'll see why we think yacht charters and sailing cruises are such a treat!

Who is the RYA?

The Royal Yachting Association is the national body for dinghy, yacht and motor cruising, all forms of sail racing, RIBs and sports boats, windsurfing and personal watercraft and a leading representative for inland waterways cruising.
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Our internationally renowned training schemes steer 250,000 yacht sailors, power boaters, small craft leisure boaters, windsurfers and canal boaters towards confident and successful boating every year.
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So whether your end goal is to spend more quality down time on the water, to travel, to compete, to work, or to advance your career; there’s a course for you.

Payments

Payments are taken prior to course or charter start. We have payments plans to make it easier for you.

REVIEWS

John Paul Scholes
Outstanding experience!

Day skipper / Competent Crew Course 25-30 January 2021 From the moment Sheree and I arrived, Terence and Ron were friendly, welcoming, funny and encouraging. Terence’s vast experience and knowledge was reassuring, and his advice, tips and tricks really helped throughout the course. The food was above and beyond expectations. We all left wanting to replicate the menu and flavours that Terence seemed to produce effortlessly. Mohawk is a handsome boat and very comfortable to live and sail in. Under the expert guidance of Terence, his calm, steady manner, sage advice and humour relaxed our nerves and created a great learning environment. I can think of no better place to learn to sail than the Whitsundays, it was simply stunning. I highly recommend Mainstay Sailing. Terence and Ron are not just teaching people to sail, they are creating community through a shared love of sailing and the sea. I look forward to dropping by again to further my experience and am sure will stay in contact with fellow course crew mates; Fred and Catrin. We were a happy crew and became friends through shared experience. ‘If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the people to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea’ - The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Bruno Ribeiro Profeta
An amazing experience with amazing people

Terence (the instructor) and Ron were just the Men. Terence is a very dedicated, attentive, patient and super experienced Mentor. I did my RYA Competent Crew course with him in January 2021, and it was a blast. It was amazing to discover many different places I had never been to on the Whitsundays, sail under a storm, learn lots and lots of theory and practice, eat Terence's amazing food (that paella....!) and listen to everyone's stories. What an inspiring trip with only great people! I'm strongly thinking about keeping up with the courses to become a proper Sailor. It's definitely a must for everyone who is considering learning about the Sea and all the amazing things it brings with it. These guys have you.

James Hackney
Great Sailing, Great Company, Great Food

I completed my Coastal Skipper course with Terrence during August 2020. Whilst the world is in uncertain times, Terrence remained flexible around the border restrictions and dates of the course. When we made it up to QLD, Terrence made us feel very welcome and comfortable in his presence. This carried on through the week where the sailing was awesome, food was even better and the whole experience was 10/10. As an extremely experienced instructor Terrence shared a lot of insights into what blue water cruising is really about, and how we should look to make preparations above and beyond the RYA syllabus. I will be keeping my eye peeled for more opportunities to do some mile builders with Terrence in the near future.Thanks for an awesome week!

Rebecca Evans
Zero to Hero - I'm a sailor now!

I arrived in Airlie with no previous experience in sailing - I came away competent and qualified and loved the experience! Terence is an incredibly patient and thorough teacher (despite a few of my wobbles). I would recommend this to anyone looking to learn something new whilst adventuring around one of the most beautiful spots around! We will be back to flex our new skills - thanks Terence & the Mainstay team!

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