Hi
I have joined KWSC this year and completed level 1 and level 2 sailing course.
I am one of the Lugger owners and want to learn more and be safe whilst sailing at sea and other areas.
I was thinking of taking a day skipper course as a next logical step. Does this make sense? Does anyone have experience of this or other courses that may be suitable.
Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks
Frank

Hi Frank. I've also just joined the club and have an interest in sea sailing (yachts). I've just completed an RYA Competent Crew course over 3 weekends. The next stage is Day Skipper theory (shore based) and then Day Skipper practical. E-mail me if you want more info.
Rob

I can thoroughly recommend the course. I went on to do the courses up to the Offshore level, this was at the Leith Nautical College. Sadly this College was moved. The courses were taken by various sea captains whose knowledge of the sea and nevigation was incredible and they had fascinating stories to tell. Their knowledge was for yachts as well, not just large caro ships. The other advantage is that you meet other people with similar interests, similar questions and similar dificulties and it is the discussions and talks that run parallel with these lessons that are of such value.

Giles.

Day Skipper & Yachtmaster courses are run at my local High School - King Edwards in Morpeth. The local RYA Cruising Rep, Quentin Mitchell runs the course.

Colin Murray in the club will also be an excellent source of info.

Quentin is partly responsible for the fact I have two kids & a mortgage!!

Incidently one of the most important courses on the RYA syllabus is the L2 Powerboat course. Courses will be scheduled for the February timeframe, so sign up soon.

The RYA seamanship course which the KWSC training team runs most season teaches all sorts of useful boat handling skills like sailing backwards, sailing without a rudder, reefing, anchoring. There's also a bit about sailing in tidal waters. It would be very useful for lugger sailing.

Hi Frank

Fellow Drascombe-owner David here. I did the shorebased courses for Day Skipper and Yachtmaster as an evening class at South Tyneside College some years ago. Unfortunately I've never had the opportunity to get the sea miles and night hours in to give me the full practical certificates. I did do the practical for Day Skipper but it was many years ago. Since getting the Lugger I too am interested in doing more sea sailing, so I might decide to have another go as I feel in need of a refresher.

Cheers,
David

Can recommend South Tyneside College for courses. (Well I would would'nt I)

But I think that North Tyneside College was also running them.

Hi all
Thanks for the responses.
I have tried the Morpeth Kings college approach and they no longer run the course.
South tyneside college runs the Day Skipper theory but they are full. The second problem is that its only a Tuesday night school and runs Sept - April. Unfortunately I travel wih my job and it would be impossible to do it by evening class.
Any more ideas would be welcome.
I'll keep looking thanks
Frank

Hi Frank, I did the Day Skipper theory a couple of years ago with Paul Gretton (Bob Moncur Sailing) at Hartlepool. It was 3 weekends over the winter, and he tried to arrange the dates to suit everyone. He's on holiday at the mo, I think till the end of this week, but I will look up his email address when I get home and you can drop him a line to see whether he's doing a course this year, if H'pool's convenient for you.
Judy

Hi Frank. I've recently completed the competent crew course with Paul Gretton. He told me he'd be doing the Day Skipper theory in January - possibly at weekends. I also travel a lot so I've looked at an online theory course. It would be good to do it with someone local.
Cheers
Rob

Paul Gretton's email: enquiries@bmsailing.co.uk
He's very good, knows his stuff.

Hi Folks,

Since Frank mentioned this to me a couple of weeks ago I have been trying to get hold of club member Colin Murray for his advice and to see if it is feasable to run the course at the club perhaps over over weekends during the winter. So far 6 members have expressed an interest.

I'll post here when I have more information.

Meanwhile, Colin, if you read this, please get in touch!

I would possible be interested in doing the Day Skipper theory if it was happening at the club - depending on cost really I think.

Ruth

Possibly me too, depending on cost and dates. I've already done it but it was years ago and I fear I could do with a refresher!

David M

I have now spoken to Colin and we plan to hold some Day Skipper theory courses at the club.

The likely format will be a weekend followed by another weekend a couple of months later with homework and correspondence (I assume via email) in between.

Colin may also be able to run some one day sessions (offering day 1, 2, 3 and 4)throughout the season.

If you are interested please can you email me and I will contact you when I have full details of dates and costs.

If you live North of newcastle, the yacht club (Royal Northumberland yacht club)could be convenient as they run all the yacht related courses.

They take 3 or 4 boats up to the west coast of Scotland every year for the DS practical.

If you know it all already and want to get the theory ticket, a cheap option is to do a correspondence course. Centaur Sailing have good material and offer a range of courses with differing levels of tutor support.

Doing the course with RNYC has the additional benefit of temporary membership and the opportunity to get experience crewing for people at the club.

Hope this helps.

Julie, I would be very interested in this course if we can get it arranged at the club!

Tony Blenkinsop

I've added you to my list Tony and I'll be in touch as soon as Colin has given me dates and costs.

Hi Julie,

Am I on your list? If not, please add me.

Cheers,
David

You are now David.

I will shortly post dates and costs both here and to those on my list.

Finally I have the details.

A Day Skipper Theory Course will run at the club on 26th, 27th January and 23rd and 24th February.

Between the two weekends there will be homework to do.

The 15th and 16th March are also reserved in case anyone is unable to make any of the other 4 days (or needs more practice!).

The cost is £195 and open to members only. This includes course materials and certificates.

Times and catering arrangements will be sorted out in due course.

If you want to do this course please email me.

Julie

Hi Julie, could you book me into the day Skipper course if there are still places left please. Mant Thanks John

Hi John, I've sent you an email will the details and I've added you to the list.

Hi Julie,

I did express interest in the previous thread but that was before you confirmed dates and cost, etc. If it's not too late would you please reserve me a place on the course.

Thanks,
David

Hi David,

I did send you an email about it last week - must have been lost to hyperspace - so I will resend it with the details. You are on my list.

As materials need to be ordered for the course please can anyone else who wants to come let me know by 19th January.

Many thanks

Any more takers for this course folks?


Please let me know ASAP as course books etc have to be ordered.


Many thanks

Julie