RYA Instructor Pathway

Learn more about the RYA Instructor Pathway

Cruising and Yachtmaster Instructors

The RYA Cruising Instructor Course is for experienced RYA Yachtmaster™ Offshore skippers to be able to gain the skills required to instruct practical courses up to the level of RYA Day Skipper.

The first step in teaching within the practical cruising scheme is to become qualified as an RYA Cruising Instructor, before moving up to the Yachtmaster Instructor qualification. Both qualifications can be taken in sail and motor cruisers, and the certificate will be endorsed accordingly.

Shorebased Navigation Instructors

The Shorebased Instructor course is for anyone wanting to teach the RYA's shorebased navigation and seamanship courses.

Shorebased Specialist Short Courses Instructor

An effective instructor must have credibility with students and a genuine interest and engagement with the subject is essential for this. Questions from students will often stray outside the core syllabus or be concerned with seeking advice about equipment or situations. Without enthusiasm and a depth of knowledge far above the RYA syllabus, this credibility could easily be lost. It is difficult to quantify in writing exactly what this means but without extensive practical experience of the subject, candidates are unlikely to be successful on this instructor course.