Training
Professional qualifications, providing practical and theory training courses and books, from novice to expert level, in all boating activities.
RYA Training
Our schemes span 2,400 RYA recognised training centres the length and breadth of the UK and in 58 countries around the world including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand and the USA.
Each year 270,000 people learn how to sail or safely operate windsurfers, dinghies, yachts, motorboats, narrowboats, powerboats and personal watercraft and everything in between.
Our team of highly skilled Trainers mentor our network of 25,000 instructors; empowering them to teach and inspire all those who want to learn more about the exhilaration of being out on the water – whether it’s for work or play.
Who can learn?
Anyone. Children can start on the water at almost any age or from around 7 or 8 for many of our structured courses. There’s no upper limit to the age you can learn and there’s a course for every level.
Where can you learn?
Our courses are run by RYA recognised instructors in regional training centres, outdoor activity centres, schools, colleges, universities, businesses, sailing clubs, voluntary organisations and holiday resorts.
What will you learn?
Whether you are just beginning, or looking to make your time on the water a smoother, safer and more enjoyable experience, you’ll learn everything you need to know to be a confident and safe boater.
Can I use my qualifications to work?
Over 25,000 professionals working on commercial vessels across the world have RYA Certificates of Competence. They choose the RYA because we are the largest and longest-established organisation to offer training and certification, and we have a global reputation for quality. We work with governments and other key organisations to develop courses that ensure a level of excellence that is familiar to everyone - especially employers - wherever they live or work.
UK organisations that have adopted RYA training include the Royal Navy, RNLI, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the MoD, the Police and the Fire Service.
For more information about working with an RYA qualification visit our professional qualifications page or careers advice hub.
RYA Publications
We have over 100 publications, all written by leading experts, providing the most up-to-date and informative advice available in an attractive and reader-friendly format.
All our titles are created to be industry-leading how-to guides and support all RYA activities including RYA training. Whether it is revising for your RYA Yachtmaster exam, refining your dinghy racing technique, or starting to windsurf, we’ve got it covered. For our full range, please visit our webshop.
In more recent years we've introduced RYA eBooks, enhanced with embedded animations and videos to help illustrate the main points and skills, and RYA Audiobooks.
We work hard to ensure all RYA publications are as accessible as possible. Our eBooks are published in compliance with the highest possible accesibility standard (WCAG 2.0).
By buying our books and eBooks through our webshop, all RYA members will receive a 15 per cent discount.