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Sailing instructor

Alternative titles for this job include

Sailing instructors teach people to sail boats and yachts, and how to operate powered craft.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

24 to 37 seasonal

You could work

freelance / self-employed as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • specialist courses run by a professional body

College

You could work towards this role by doing a sport and outdoor activities college course.

You'll need to check that your chosen course includes the professional qualifications needed to become a sailing instructor.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing an Outdoor Activities Instructor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This usually takes around 12 months to complete and combines practical experience with classroom study.

You could then taken further training to qualify as sailing instructor.

Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Other Routes

You can do Royal Yachting Association (RYA) instructor courses. The RYA is the national governing body for sailing, and sets standards for training instructors.

To train as a cruising or yachtmaster instructor, you'll need to be:

  • over 18 years old
  • a first aid certificate holder
  • physically fit and able to swim
  • a competent sailor with at least a year's experience

You'll also need to pass a sailing assessment and do further study before you can start training as a sailing instructor with the RYA.

Courses are done at local sailing clubs, with commercial training companies and at local authority watersports centres.

More Information

Career tips

A working week can vary from a number of hourly sessions up to full time.

Some jobs are seasonal, for example from March to October, so it's important to check what type of contract is being offered when looking at vacancies.

You'll need to revalidate your instructor's certificate every 5 years, and must have an up-to-date first aid certificate.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a sailing instructor from the Royal Yachting Association.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • the ability to teach students how to do something
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • be over 18 years of age

You'll need to be a member of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) to qualify or revalidate as an RYA instructor.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a sailing instructor, you could:

  • assess your students' sailing knowledge and abilities
  • prepare and run lessons
  • teach safety on dry land and drills on the water
  • demonstrate boat handling, sailing techniques and navigation
  • give constructive feedback to students
  • adapt training sessions to weather conditions
  • record and report accidents or boat damage
  • help to maintain the training boats

Working environment

You could work in a sailing club or at a marina.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and physically active.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become an advanced instructor for other types of sailing vessels, like racing craft or ocean-going superyachts, or become a training course examiner.

You could also move into supervisory or management posts within a sailing training centre.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

JCA 2027 Apprentice Activity Instructor

  • Wage: £16,640 a year Annually
  • Location: Condover Hall, Condover, Shrewsbury

Apprentice Outdoor Instructor

  • Wage: £12,480 a year Annually
  • Location: LEICESTER
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities

  • Provider: REASEHEATH COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2027
  • Location: NANTWICH

BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities

  • Provider: THOMAS ROTHERHAM COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2027
  • Location: Rotherham
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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