Where voyages of discovery are a breeze

RYA Sailing courses

From novice sailor to instructor, Essex Outdoors Bradwell is a leading provider of Royal Yachting Association accredited sailing qualifications for all levels.

Learn the ropes with gusto – from a selection of hands-on Royal Yachting Association (RYA) sailing courses in Essex. Our highly qualified instructors at Bradwell show you how to sail quickly and safely: in an easy-to-handle dinghy at first, and then you can continue your fantastic voyage – step-by-step – to become a well-rounded sailor.

RYA Sailing Training Centre on the Essex coast

Our RYA Training Centre at Bradwell Waterside, on the picturesque river Blackwater, is the perfect location to learn the ropes and hone your skills. Take to the water in our fleet of Pico dinghies, or modern Dufour Drakkar keel boats  and learn from our experienced and knowledgeable instructors.

From officially recognised RYA youth stages to dinghy and multi-hull instructor levels, participants enjoy a tremendous sense of achievement in a welcoming environment. And not just on the water – official RYA shore-based courses provide the support sailors need to tackle their marine adventures with confidence.

“Our instructor was amazing – supportive, informative and very calm, all round a really positive experience”


D Tristram
RYA Start Sailing Course Participant

RYA Sailing courses at Essex Outdoors Bradwell

RYA Start Sailing

It is a two day course that will cover many aspects of sailing a dinghy.

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RYA Basic Skills

The course is for those who have mastered the practical skills and absorbed the knowledge required for Start Sailing.

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RYA Better Sailing

The course aims to develop the skills acquired from RYA Start Sailing and RYA Basic Skills.

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RYA Youth Sailing week

The perfect way for young people (8-16) to try sailing or improve their skills. This flexible 5 day course helps you progress through the RYA youth stages scheme.

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RYA Dinghy Instructor Pre-Entry Assessment

This one day sailing assessment is an entry requirement for the RYA Dinghy Instructor programme.

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RYA Dinghy Instructor

The course has three parts to it comprising of a pre-entry assessment completed with 12 months of the Dinghy Instructor course.

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