Learning

Learning through experience

At Tops’l, learning is part of the experience. Whether you are new to sailing or working towards Coastal Skipper, you will gain practical knowledge and confidence simply by doing it. You will have the opportunity to learn alongside people who are generous with their time and experience.

Our members come from all backgrounds, with a wide range of skills. Our club ethos is one of shared experience and support. You are never sailing alone. There is always someone on board who has done it before, and who is happy to help you learn.

We’re not a formal training centre and you won’t find packaged RYA courses with us. But what you will find is something arguably more valuable: the perfect environment to practise and build on what you have already learned. You can develop real-world competence, trip by trip.

From theory to confidence

RYA training offers a great foundation, but most sailors will tell you that passing Day Skipper does not mean you are ready to skipper confidently. That only comes from time on the water – sailing regularly, in different conditions, alongside others who know more than you do.

Tops’l gives you exactly that; the opportunities to take on more responsibility as and when you are ready. The support of experienced members makes it an ideal place to keep learning.

Members often organise extra sailing to help others prepare for tougher voyages, build miles, or take on new challenges. As a club, we share advice with each other, offer to crew, and can even run a preparatory trip so everyone feels ready.

Support when you need it

You won’t be told what to learn or when, but you will be encouraged to keep developing. Most members who join are keen to improve, and find that the club gives them exactly the kind of structure and momentum they need.

We also run the occasional Skills Day. These are a chance to dust off the cobwebs, get hands-on with boat handling again, and refresh your knowledge in a relaxed setting.

And when you do want to take a formal course – whether that’s Competent Crew, Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper – the club gives you the real-world sailing hours to turn theory into skill. What you learn becomes second nature.

Further info:

• RYA sail cruising courses – https://www.rya.org.uk/training/sail-cruising
• RYA Yachtmaster certification (Coastal, Offshore and Ocean levels): https://www.rya.org.uk/training/certificates-of-competence/what-is-an-rya-yachtmaster

Start your sailing journey

Visit our Membership page to see how Tops’l supports your development, or check out Sailing experience to see how our club sails work in practice.