PRE FLOTILLA COURSES

Pre Flotilla courses are run to allow you to join a flotilla with the skills you need to have a safe and enjoyable holiday. The short (3 day) course for those who just need a refresher course. The longer (6 day) course for those with little or no experience.

In addition, we run a Pre Flotilla Refresher (6 day) course on the training boat if you are an experienced skipper and want to "get up to speed" before a flotilla holiday.

We run the courses in two ways:

1. Where a family or group are trained to work as a team. For example father may look after sail trim, mother the navigation, etc.

2. Where an individual is brought up to the standard required for flotilla sailing and has sufficient knowledge to skipper any boat with an appropriate crew. That is to say the individual has sufficient knowledge of all areas covered on the course.

We will be able to issue a PYA certificate to groups and individuals who have completed the course successfully.

Own Boat Tuition - the course is run on your own charter / flotilla yacht.

This is a refresher course so that you can participate in a flotilla with confidence.

The course includes:

• Basic boat handling under power, including "Mediterranean mooring" and anchoring.
• Sail handling.
• Simple navigation.
• An awareness of safety on board.
• Any specific area where you need additional training.

The 3 day pre flotilla course is run on boats that have been chartered by you for a flotilla holiday. When possible the course runs following the flotilla, this has the advantage that you will be able to participate in the flotilla social activities. Of course, if you want your training "out of sight" of the other clients that is also possible.

If during the 3 day course your instructor and the flotilla skipper, in discussion with you, agree that you need extra tuition PYA will endeavour to make an instructor available, this will normally be the instructor you start the course with.  You will have two options depending on the amount of additional tuition you need; you can simply have the instructor on board for as many additional days you need, or you can upgrade to our 6 Day Pre Flotilla course. The cost of these upgrades is shown on the Prices (€) page.

Own Boat Tuition - the course is run on your own charter/flotilla yacht.

This is more than a refresher course. It is designed to take students with little or no experience to the level that they can participate in a flotilla holiday (non-tidal waters) on their own.

The course includes:

• Parts of a boat, her rigging and sails
• Ropework, including various knots
• Sail trimming
• Basic boat handling under power, including "Mediterranean mooring" and anchoring.
• Simple navigation
• Collision regulations

• An awareness of safety on board -

  • First Aid

  • Flares

  • Radio (VHF)

  • Fire precautions

  • Man overboard recovery

The 6 day pre flotilla course normally runs on boats that have been chartered by you for a flotilla holiday. When possible the course runs following the current flotilla, this has the advantage that the clients will be able to participate in the flotilla social activities. Of course, if you want to have your training "out of sight" of the other clients on the flotilla that is also possible.

If during the 6 day course your instructor and the flotilla skipper, in discussion with you, agree that you need extra tuition PYA will endeavour to make an instructor available, this will normally be the instructor you start the course with.  You simply have the instructor on board for as many additional days you need. The cost of the extra days is shown on the Prices (€) page.

Recommended reading: RYA Competent Crew handbook (ref. CCPCN), RYA Day Skipper - Shorebased handbook (ref. DSN)

Tuition Boat - live aboard the tuition yacht for the duration of the course.

If you are an experienced skipper and want to come out to Greece before your flotilla holiday and get "back up to speed" with an instructor; then this course is for you. Although there is not fixed syllabus all elements of the 6 day Pre Flotilla course are covered.

You should already be at the RYA Day Skipper, ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or equivalent level (or above!).  The course is not designed to take students with little or no experience up to the level required for flotilla sailing.