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What is the Day Skipper Qualification?

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The Day Skipper qualification is one of the most widely recognised worldwide qualifications in sailing. Most yacht charter companies will insist that at least one person holds the Day Skipper qualification before allowing them to charter a yacht.

The Day Skipper qualification demonstrates that the holder has a basic level of skills in boat handling and navigation. The course has two parts – Theory and Practical courses – which take you from being a crew member to being able to confidently handle small to mid-sized sailing yachts in day light hours in familiar waters. It is assumed you are already a competent crew member before taking the Day Skipper.

Day Skipper Theory Course

The shore based course includes a lot of the basics for those new to sailing: nautical terms, how to handle ropes and anchors, plus critical safety information. The course involves a great deal of training on navigation, including the use of GPS and electronic charts, meteorology, collision regulations and safety procedures.

The course does not assume any level of knowledge but is proving both popular and useful for experienced crew as well as novices, who are keen to learn navigation skills so they can skipper a yacht for themselves.

The course is often split into weekend or evening classes rather than being delivered in one session of five days.

Day Skipper Practical Course

The Day Skipper practical course provides the practical skills and knowledge you need to make sure you are able to put all the theory you have learnt into practice. You will learn how to handle a yacht effectively which includes preparing to sail, manoeuvring and mooring.

During the Day Skipper Practical course you will also be responsible for plotting a course, and making sure the course is accurately maintained, as well as mastering the critical aspect of piloting in and out of the harbour.

Part of the course involves practising for emergencies, such as a man overboard or emergency towing, so that in a real life emergency both the skipper and the crew are able to respond quickly and efficiently.

The practical course takes 5 days to complete but assumes that you have at least some basic skills. It is therefore best if you have a week or two of practical experience on board a yacht or have completed the Competent Crew practical course previously, before undertaking this course.

The course can be taken over 5 consecutive days or split over 2 weekends (a short and a long).

What comes after Day Skipper Qualification?

You can go on to complete the Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster courses if you are feeling inspired following the completion of the courses above. These courses give you the skills and knowledge you need to sail and navigate for longer periods of time and to sail further from shore, or even around the world! It’s a legal requirement that someone on board must have a VHF Radio Licence, obtained by taking a 1 day course. So you should be thinking about doing this before or after your Day Skipper courses

First Class Sailing offers the complete range of RYA Sailing courses including the Day Skipper practical and theory courses. They have centres in London, Southampton and Burnham (East Coast).

You can book sailing courses online at www.FirstClassSailing.com

A Modern Day Voyage around the Locations of Homer’s Odyssey

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It is known as the most epic journey ever taken, and immense voyages ever since have been called Odysseys in homage to the thrilling original. Homer’s Odyssey follows the trials and tribulations of the hero Odysseus as he travels back from the war in Troy to his home on the island of Ithaca in order to be reunited with his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. Beset by angry gods, monsters, dark storms and seductive sirens, the journey would eventually take Odysseus a decade. Yet trips around the modern-day, real-life locations of Homer’s greatest work of literature need not take so long, and many can be reached on the same trip, making it a superb themed holiday for sailors. Here is a look at a modern day voyage around some of the locations depicted in the Odyssey.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnuckx/5085959576/

Photo by gnuckx on Flickr.com. Used under Creative Commons Licence.

The Land of the Cyclops

These fierce, one-eyed giants almost spelled the end for Odysseus and his men, until the group managed to blind their tormentor and escape. And though you will not find any giants there today, it is the Italian island of Sicily where Odysseus was thought to have encountered these gargantuan monsters. With smouldering volcanoes, sparkling Renaissance towns, Norman castles and cathedrals, and a mix of Greek, Arabic and Italian cultures pervading the air, Sicily is rightfully one of the Mediterranean’s most popular destinations. Enjoy bareboat charters across the Strait of Messina to experience this granite land mass at its best.

Scheria

Known as the Land of the Phaeacians in Homer’s day, our hero Odysseus ends up on this island after his raft is wrecked in a storm. Gaining help from the Goddess Athena, and using his charm to win over the locals, Odysseus soon manages to set sail again with the help of the Phaeacian’s supreme naval skills. And you may be surprised to discover that Scheria is none other than gorgeous Corfu, just a few miles off the west coast of Greece and Albania. The island can be easily reached by boat, and there are plenty of natural harbours here in which to set anchor and enjoy evenings on land.

Ogygia

One of the most alluring and sensual of the locations in the Odyssey has to be Ogygia, the island that was home to the nymph Calypso. Calypso kept Odysseus detained on the island for up to seven years, before finally taking pity on her captive and setting him free. Geographers down the ages have placed Ogygia as far west as the Gulf of Mexico and as far north as Britain, but most modern day classicists agree that Ogygia is likely to be present day Gozo, in Malta. This sun-burnt land of arid sandstone and sheer cliffs is known for its stunning megalithic temples and beautiful coast-line. An ideal location for sailors, the island is just an hour or so from the Maltese capital Valletta by boat, and can be reached easily from Sicily and the Italian mainland.

Ithaca

There is much doubt and confusion surrounding the modern day location of Ithaca, the home town of Odysseus and his final destination. Archaeologists, classical scholars and amateur treasure hunters have long tried to pin down one spot or the other, yet no one has conclusively found the location as of writing. The leading contender is, of course, the Ionian island named Ithaca, lying not far from the Greek mainland. This island is full of abundant olive groves, rocky outcrops, sheltered harbours perfect for finding boat charters, and a vibrant yet traditional air. Despite the name, however, the geography of contemporary Ithaca just doesn’t fit with Homeric descriptions of the island. So perhaps your best bet is just to sail around the Greek seas in the hope that you find your own little piece of paradise to name Ithaca.

John has written on sea-faring topics as diverse as how to find the cheapest boat charters in New Zealand and how to choose the right yacht for your budget.

Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller Event – Hayling Island 28th & 29th April 2012.

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For those competitors who enjoyed the relative calm and tranquillity of last weekends restricted (river or estuary) Craftinsure Silver Tiller at Cookham Reach, Hayling Island’s 2 day event (the eighth so far in the series) proved to be physically more demanding – at least on the first day!
Saturday’s racing, an open water (reservoir lake or harbour) event held within the wide expanses of Chichester Harbour tested skill and determination as race one kicked off in a force 4 gusting force 5. With the north easterly creating wind over tide conditions, skilful sailing again ensured a minimum of start line incidents as the fleet of 33 boats finally sheeted in for the first beat after only one general recall!
In the lead at the windward mark William Warren and Chris Robinson in 3685 succumbed to the strong pressure from Colin Smith and Graham Williamson who themselves were acutely aware of Britain’s 2012 Olympic 470 contender Stuart Bithell crewed by Christian Bithell being only too close for comfort! As the fleet powered away down the first reach with much position changing in the fast planing conditions it was Stuart and Christian who were in the lead by the bottom mark, a position which they continued to hold to the flag, marking what appeared to be a very successful repeat guest appearance in the Merlin Rockets!
However slightly further down the fleet Jon Gorringe & Toby Lewis in 3712 were making a late charge happy to settle for second place whilst keeping a weather eye on Matt Biggs and Ben Hollis in 3722 coming up for third.
The twist in the tale – joy for some disappointment for others – Stuart and Christian black flagged at the start so the results were:

1st – 3712 – Jon Gorringe /Toby Lewis
2nd – 3722 – Matt Biggs /Ben Hollis
3rd – 3736 – Colin Smith/ Graham Williamson
4th – 3728 – Judith Massey / Harvey Hillary
5th – 3734 – David Hayes / Jonny Radcliffe
6th – 3723 – Simon Potts/ Holly Scott

With no sign of the wind abating, the start of race two saw ten competitors black flagged and head home for an early shower. Now the reduced fleet were left to battle it out for “first to the windward mark” and Mike Calvert and Ian Garwood in 3691 made best use of the toestraps on the beat to get the pole position and be first to hoist on the reach!
Fired up after their win in race one , Jon and Toby were now determined to make it their weekend and some slick spinnaker work saw their second place position turn into that of lead boat as they roared down the harbour on another exhilarating three sail reach ! Working hard to maintain the position they were finally rewarded with the welcome sound of another “first to finish gun” despite a tough challenge from Mike & Ian who being both hunter and hunted did consistently well to secure second place. Matt Biggs and Ben Hollis sailing with “Blood Sweat and (no) Beers” finished in third.
It’s amazing what a hot shower can do and revived competitors headed first to the bar and then to an excellent HISC Mexican dinner , plenty of time then to contemplate the day’s events and what tomorrow’s similar forecast would have in store?
Sunday morning again dawned with torrential rain in the bleak and cold conditions and no sign of the force 5/6 north easterly slackening towards more acceptable sailing weather.
Eventually after a slight lull and with the wind swinging more toward the east, the race team decided to proceed and crews were despatched to rig and prepare. However conditions on the water from the committee boat proved less than satisfactory and wisely (though disappointingly for some) the meeting was abandoned.
So Jon & Toby held onto their well-deserved two first places and were declared the overall winners of this year’s Hayling Island Silver Tiller event!
Next stop Rutland Water May 6th. With the training event taking place in advance and new skills to be tested on the water in the race it promises to be an exciting weekend. Let’s hope for some sunshine for this one!

Report by – Steve Storey

 

Hayling Island Silver Tiller Results 2012-1

Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller Event – Cookham Reach Sailing Club – 21st/ 22nd April 201

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Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller Event – Cookham Reach Sailing Club – 21st/ 22nd April 2012
With Salcombe Yacht club’s excellent Silver tiller now some weeks ago and Banbury Sailing Club’s Restricted meeting being cancelled (due to low water levels in the reservoir), helms and crews were eagerly looking forward to another event and the different challenge of a purely river competition !
Hosted this year by Cookham Reach S.C. in its picturesque location on a wide sweep of the Thames between Maidenhead and Bourne End, Cookham’s neatly cut lawns and delightful views complement the great hospitality extended to all competitors and visitors alike.
Sundays Craftinsure series of three Silver Tiller races for the Cookham Shield – two to count – was preceded on the Saturday afternoon by a warm up for some of the keener competitors, with a trial race in the Guy Pearce memorial trophy. Helms and crews had a foretaste of Sunday’s event with the freshening westerly breeze blowing across the wide expanse of the Berkshire banks making for some exciting racing. The beautifully restored vintage boats dominated in the generally light conditions throughout the day and it was a particular privilege to see Jack Holts original Merlin – sail number 1 of 1944 vintage being vigorously campaigned by Mervyn Allen and young Jack Tosh who, in the early stages of Race 1 gave some of the newer designs a good run for their money!
With Sundays forecast promising a north westerly increasing from force 3 to force 4 by end of racing, the race team elected to set a fairly long course between upstream and downstream marks to give the fleet plenty of sea room. Viewing for the keen bankside spectators was further enhanced by the careful positioning of a windward mark which, having to be passed to port by all boats before they proceeded further downstream caused more than one experienced competitor a few anxious moments during the day!

Race one finally got underway after two general recalls and only after the imposition of the black flag rule (boats are disqualified if over the line at the start when this flag is flying). Both “ Passing Cloud” designs 1079 and 1097 made impressive starts with “ Hot Totty” crewed by Pat & Jilly Blake in hot pursuit finally taking the lead on lap 3 and holding this to the finish on a shortened course of 4 ½ laps.
A short break for lunch preceded the start for race two, where in the increasing breeze, undaunted helms again tested the race officers resolve with another general recall, before a repeat of the black flag rule had the necessary calming effect!
3676, 3347 & 3707 in succession made an early break from the pack finally resulting in both Simon and Anna Blake and parents Pat & Jilly making it once again a true “Family Affair” by finishing one/ two behind 3347 the beautifully sailed Laurie Smart built NSM 2 of David Vines crewed by Fran Gifford.
With some competitors now heading for an early bath after a particularly nasty cloudburst during race 2 – a reduced field of just 11 boats contested race 3 in frequently rainy and squally conditions gusting, at times, to 15 knots.
3347 unusually had problems getting up to race pace ensuring the Blake magic could continue with the early lead being taken by 3676. In almost a repeat of race two, Simon and Anna stormed through to dominate for a second home win although not without a very strong challenge from David Vines who, having finally found the fast forward button for race 3, harried 3676 “Monkey Business “ all the way to the finish line!

Report by Steve Storey
Photographs by kind permission of Demelza Mitchell

 

Cookham Reach Results 2012