The importance of a recognized sailing organization

Sure many people know how to sail, and sure many can sail faster than average sailing instructor. But how about teaching? Don't we all know how to read and write, but very few can handle a full classroom of grade-one students. This is why sailing associations are important. Rather than learning from one man's experience, certified instructors will pass to you the experience of hundreds of good sailors. The curriculum is based on real life cruising, on different boats, in different parts of the world and with diverse crews. Mandatory Instructor Development Clinics on regular basis, are there for that exact purpose, for instructors to share the experience, improve teaching methods, try new things, upgrade skills etc. Also, all CYA instructors are devoted to high ethics and code of conduct set by the association. So, the association is all about sailors, schools merely provide facilities and employ instructors. Welcome to the growing family of CYA certified sailors.

I don't have a boat, so why taking a sailing course?

Owning a cruising sailboat up to 8 meters, which is perfect for gunholing along the coast, costs about as much as a car (to purchase and on-going expenses). It is affordable to many people. You can also join a club, where by paying annual membership you get time slots to use the boat, with other members or your guests. And of course, bare boat chartering makes a perfect vacation.

How dangerous is the sport of sailing?

Briefly, it is as dangerous as most other outdoor recreational activities, like cycling or canoeing. It does not compare to sky diving or motorcycle racing. Stormy seas are not part of everyday life of a coastal cruiser as a prudent sailor seeks shelter ahead of the storm. During our Basic Course, if "small craft wind warning" is issued during the course (more than force 5 Bofourt's scale), we will stay in the harbour. During our Coastal Skipper Course, we will be sailing up to force 6. One should note that these are wind velocity limits that skippers normally set for their own good. More than that is more like "if I must go ..."
Hypotherima due to prolonged cold water immersion is a serious threat, but easily preventable by good seamenship practices. Common problems are sun burns, sea sickness and minor injuries. Sea sickness rarely occurs during Daysail Course as we will sail in protected waters. On the intermediate level you might be exposed to larger motion, but prevention is part of the course. However, if you plan to use medications for motion sickness, please read the label carefully, some must be taken hours or even days before the exposure.
The most serious threats are fire on board and swinging bom than can cause severe head injury. However, the main component of our courses is safety where these issues will be addressed in details.