Sailing Adventures: Our RYA Competent Crew Course Experience
Sailing Adventures: Our RYA Competent Crew Course Experience
Ahoy there, fellow landlubbers and sea enthusiasts alike! Last week, our family embarked on an unforgettable journey, trading our land legs for sea legs as we took on the RYA Competent Crew course. Picture this: a mother and her two energetic kids, all set to conquer the waves and become bona fide sailors. Spoiler alert: it was a mix of high seas adventure, hearty laughter, and a few, shall we say, “learning opportunities.”
Day 1: Meet the Crew
Our adventure began at the marina, where we met our skipper – a salty sea dog with a penchant for dad jokes and a seemingly endless supply of nautical wisdom. As we stepped aboard our trusty vessel, it became clear that we were in for an experience of a lifetime. My kids, eager and wide-eyed, were thrilled at the prospect of trading homework for halyards, and I was just hoping not to end up as seasick as I do on roller coasters.
Day 2: Knots, Knots, and More Knots
The second day was dedicated to mastering the art of knot-tying. Bowlines, clove hitches, and figure-eights were the names of the game. The kids took to it like fish to water, their nimble fingers creating perfect knots in record time. I, on the other hand, found myself in a tangled mess more often than not. But hey, it’s all part of the learning curve, right?
Day 3: Sails Up!
With our newfound knot skills, it was time to hoist the sails and catch the wind. The exhilaration of feeling the boat slice through the water was indescribable. The kids took turns at the helm, steering us on a course that seemed to involve a lot of zigzagging. Meanwhile, I focused on not confusing port with starboard and trying not to trip over the rigging.
Day 4: Man Overboard (Well, Almost)
Day four brought a simulated man overboard drill. Cue the dramatic music! Our skipper tossed a buoy into the water, and we sprang into action. The kids, channeling their inner lifeguards, were quick to point and shout, “Man overboard!” With teamwork that would make any mother proud, we navigated the boat back to the buoy and ‘rescued’ it with finesse. It was a proud moment, even if our “man” was just a floatation device.
Day 5: Chartwork and Navigation
By the fifth day, we were starting to feel like real sailors. We delved into chartwork and navigation, plotting courses and learning to read nautical charts. The kids, ever the quick learners, took to the compass like seasoned navigators. I, however, found myself double-checking my bearings to avoid sailing us into the nearest shoal.
Day 6: The Final Frontier
Our final day was a true test of all we had learned. We set out on a mini-voyage, putting our skills to the ultimate test. The wind was in our favor, and the sea was calm – well, until it wasn’t. A sudden squall had us scrambling to reef the sails and batten down the hatches. Amidst the chaos, the kids were absolute troopers, following instructions and keeping spirits high. We weathered the storm and returned to the marina, tired but triumphant.
Reflections: From Landlubbers to Competent Crew
Reflecting on our week-long adventure, it’s clear that the RYA Competent Crew course was more than just a sailing course – it was a bonding experience, a confidence booster, and a crash course in teamwork and resilience. We laughed, we learned, and yes, we got a bit wet along the way. But most importantly, we emerged with a newfound love for sailing and a treasure trove of memories.
So, if you’re considering taking the plunge and signing up for a sailing course, I say go for it! Whether you’re a mother with kids in tow or a solo adventurer, the sea has a way of bringing out the best in all of us. Just don’t forget the sunscreen and a sense of humor – you’ll need both!
Fair winds and following seas,
Mainstay Sailings
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REVIEWS
Thank you to Nick at Mainstay sailing for your expert guidance and patience for our very first sailing course. My husband and I were feeling very confident to take out our own catamaran after our 2 half days of sailing with you. Nick was very patient, never stressed and made us feel confident, safe & capable every step of the way. Highly recommend Mainstay sailing and we can’t wait to come back to complete our skippers course.
We recently completed a one-day basic sailing course with Mainstay Sailing, and it was exceptional. Our instructor, Nick—a former commercial pilot—brought a calm, measured, and quietly confident presence to the day that immediately put us at ease. Despite facing a bit of swell and wind, Nick’s unshakable composure gave us both the confidence to push past our nerves. While I was wide-eyed as the boat heeled over in one-metre waves, Nick remained completely unbothered—clearly trusting in our abilities before we even did ourselves. Over the course, we covered an impressive amount: sailing fundamentals, safety, rights of way, and even a man overboard drill (which turned out to be one of the highlights). When the weather turned unfavourable, Nick didn’t skip a beat—he simply split the course over two half days to make sure we got the most from the experience. Mainstay Sailing delivers top-notch, practical training with a personal touch. Highly recommended for anyone looking to dip their toes into sailing or brush up on the basics. Five stars, without hesitation.
I had a great time on my Competent Crew Course! Ron, Nick and Terrance made it an amazing experience for us and I learned so much during these 5 days! We sailed the Whitsundays at day and night and got to see all its beautiful and iconic places. Besides sailing, the program included opportunities for snorkeling, land excursions and good conversation over food and drink. Can only recommend Mainstay highly and I will soon be back to undertake my Day Skipper with them! :-)
A fabulous five days. Great tuition from the skipper Nick. Easy going but informative you were allowed to make your own mistakes and practice in a safe environment. As much a holiday as a sailing course as it should be. Looking forward to chartering my own boat ideally around the Whitsundays. Cheers. M
FAQ's
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
Payments are taken prior to course or charter start. We have payments plans to make it easier for you.
Coral Sea Marina
Shingley Drive
Airlie Beach
QLD 4802
AUSTRALIA
Postal address
PO Box 890
Cannonvale
QLD 4802
AUSTRALIA
Lat: 20° 16′ South
Long: 148° 43′ East
Phone: +61 402 429 152
