Get trips updates and special offers in our WhatsApp group
Sailing School
Transform into a Certified Yacht Captain and Unlock the Freedom of the Seas
Upcoming Practical Courses:
24-31 October 2026, Mallorca – Sold Out
12-19 December 2026, Tenerife – Sold Out
10-17 April 2027, Mallorca - 5 spots
Let`s talk about it! Upcoming Practical Courses:
24-31 October 2026, Mallorca – Sold Out
12-19 December 2026, Tenerife – Sold Out
10-17 April 2027, Mallorca - 5 spots
Fill in the form to get more details
By clicking the button you agree to our Privacy Policy
Get inspiration from our trips. Create your own.
Unlock New Skills and Boundless Freedom with Our Skipper's Course
- Develop Advanced Navigation and Yacht Handling SkillsSailing requires a total presence and flexibility. While learning you will build new abilities that help you in many other parts of your life.
- Discover Hidden Gems Accessible Only by SeaOn a yacht you can travel whenever and wherever you want. Explore islands, bays that you can reach only from the water.
Rent/charter a yacht at 100s of locations. Create your route! - Unlock Exclusive Yacht Charter PrivilegesYou will be entitled to charter (rent) a yacht, a catamaran, or a motor yacht up to 24m in various locations around the world and be the captain
- New hobby, lifestyle, or professionSpend your free time and vacations with a quality. Practice your skills as every trip shows you new insights and opportunities. Also, it can be a start of new profession or job!
Your Journey to Mastering Sailing:
Step-by-Step Guide
Step-by-Step Guide
1
Interview with our captain-instructor
Sailing is not for everyone, so we get everything clear to sync up with you and answer any of your questions. Just a quick call and you are in!
2
Comprehensive Online Theory Modules – Learn at Your Own Pace
You will receive all the necessary materials and books for self-work. Every week we meet in zoom for deeper learning on each topic.
3
Intensive Onboard Practical Training – Gain Hands-On Experience
And you will be happy ever after with all practical skills and knowledge that you get onboard during a week on the yacht.
4
Obtain Your Skipper's License – Set Sail as a Certified Captain
Once you pass the practice, you have to get approval from our instructor that you are qualified. Receive your skipper's license by courier at home.
Rent and enjoy!
ISSA Inshore skipper license allows to rent(charter) and operate the following motor and sail vessel examples:
Watch the intro-lesson for free now!
You will get to know:
– How to find the yacht to rent
– What types of yachts you will be licensed for
– Details of the program topics and methodology from your future captain-instructor
– How to find the yacht to rent
– What types of yachts you will be licensed for
– Details of the program topics and methodology from your future captain-instructor
Get a free lesson
You will get to know:
– How to find the yacht to rent
– What types of yachts you will be licensed for
– Details of the program topics and methodology from your future captain-instructor
After submitting this form, please, wait for the page with the video to open
– How to find the yacht to rent
– What types of yachts you will be licensed for
– Details of the program topics and methodology from your future captain-instructor
After submitting this form, please, wait for the page with the video to open
By clicking the button you agree to our Privacy Policy
In-Depth Theoretical Knowledge – Prepare for Real-World Sailing
This Inshore Skipper course is taught according to the guidelines and requirements of ISSA association. There is a flexibility of learning process in case additional online meetings are required for whole group or part of it.
The students are provided with educational materials to study all topics required by the ISSA organization. The instructor conducts weekly online meetings in Q and A style for each topic.
3-4 hours per week are required for successful studying
Learning process is flexible in case additional online meetings are required for the whole group or part of it
The theory course consists of the following main topics:
3-4 hours per week are required for successful studying
Learning process is flexible in case additional online meetings are required for the whole group or part of it
The theory course consists of the following main topics:
- Yacht construction and its parts. Handling under engine
- Anchoring. Docking types
- Meteorology. Yacht handling under sails
- Navigation
- Determining Vessel position. Passage planning
- IALA sign system
- Collision prevention (COLREGs)
- Yacht instruments and devices. First aid at sea
- Radio communication (VHF), Distress messages
- Additional topics
- Tests and quizesPass a short self-assessment test after each topic.
- Theory Completion criteriaNo exams. Attending weekly online sessions (recordings will also be provided), submitting a short self-assessment test after each topic, and providing feedback to the instructor.
Hands-on Sailing Experience – Master the Art of Seamanship
- 1 week of practiceLocation: Mediterranean locations or Canary Islands
- 6 studentsIt is a maximum amount of students for accreditation
- 9 hours/dayOf intensive exercises, lessons, and feedback
Learning and performing of the following topics:
- Technical check-in of the yacht during a charter
- Yacht construction, safety systems, and equipment
- Exit and entry from/to the marina
- Maneuvering and handling under the engine (turning, reversing, u-turning, usage of a prop walk)
- Setting up (hoisting) and dropping the sails
- Points of sail in relation to the wind, Tacking, Gybing
- Anchoring
- Docking and undocking
- Passage planning
- Determining (plotting) vessel position
- Practicing collision prevention rules (COLREGs)
- MOB - Man overboard (under engine, under sails)
- Additional topics
- AssesmentContinuous assessment during the week allows you to focus on learning and avoid the fear of failing. You can try each any part of the exercises several times
- Completion criteriaNo exams. Demonstrating important parts of theoretical knowledge; showing mastery of each practical exercise
| | Lifetime Support from our captain-instructor! After studying with us and receiving the license, you get lifetime support from our captain-instructor. Location recommendations, extra safety tips in different bays, a help-call with docking in a marina, route planning, etc. |
You become a part of a sailing community and a smaller skippers community where you can get a support 24/7
Requirements
- PassionWe believe that the best experience lasts only if you have a feeling of curiosity and love for something. If you already feel it – welcome!
- TimeWe recommend to spent 3-4 hours per week for studying during a theory part. If you learn a lot on land with our support, you will have more time for practicing and repetition during the practice for automated skills.
- AgeYou can take your son or brother to this course from 14 years old without getting a license. There are no final limits for students – why should you reject your dream even if you are 65?
- GenderOur students are both men and women. And we see that there is no room for gender stereotypes. Sometimes you need more strength but is an average level you can compare with light training in a gym.
- ExperienceThere is no need in previous experience, but we always recommend going on a sailing trip with us before taking a course. It will help you to feel life on a board and test our approaches and style.
Sergy Almer
Meet Your Expert Instructor – Seasoned Skipper and ISSA Certified Trainer
Skipper with 8 years of experience. He got a license in Ireland after passing the program of the Royal Yacht Association (RYA). Navigated 25 000+ nautical miles on yachts in the seas and Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.
Sergy is an official sailing instructor of ISSA. Most of his students live in Europe and charter boats in Greece, Italy, Spain, Croatia, the Canary Islands, as well as the exotics like Seychelles, Thailand, Carribbean islands, and other places.
Sergy is an official sailing instructor of ISSA. Most of his students live in Europe and charter boats in Greece, Italy, Spain, Croatia, the Canary Islands, as well as the exotics like Seychelles, Thailand, Carribbean islands, and other places.
Four Touchpoints Methodology
For every yachting topic we study, a student goes through 4 touchpoints:
-
- Home preparation
Before each Zoom session you read the chapter and materials we send you, at your own pace. That way the call is spent on questions and real examples, not on reading slides together. -
2. Q&A on a Zoom meetupWhere the captain explains and discusses the topic together with the students. -
3. Short testA quick test that follows each block. On a call we discuss results and mistakes. -
4. PracticeApplying it on the water during a practice week on a yacht.
Thanks to this methodology, the brain absorbs the information effectively and retains it well: with each touch the information is reinforced, reprocessed, and stored in memory — so the student ends up becoming a really strong skipper.
Your Licenses
Elmár Sailing School is an accredited organization by ISSA (International Sailing Schools Association). Once you successfully finish your studies, we will give you an Inshore Skipper license issued by ISSA. It allows you to charter boats in all countries. Also, you get a VHF radio license.
Our students will show and tell how is it to be a captain of the yacht!
"After one week of training, we were able to sail a 41-foot yacht on our own. That moment made me realize: yes, I can do this."
Giulio, Biomedical Scientist from Italy
Read the story →
"I realize how much I love being on a sailing boat, it makes me a little more addicted every time."
Andreas from Switzerland
Read the story →
"Sailing was fantastic with strong winds and challenging weather, which made the experience very exciting."
AJ, Shipbuilder from Finland
Read the story →
"I learned so much and feel that I have grown. I found what I want—to become a skipper."
Vlad from London
Read the story →
"Sailing lets you conquer nature while living in perfect harmony with it."
Martin, Sailing Trips Creator
Read the story → Course Prices
Now we have a discount limited in time for the Theory part of the course! You can start with it and then decide if being a captain is for you.
€350
Sailing Theory
5 weeks
9 Zoom calls in the evening
Books and Materials
Tests
Feedback from the instructor
€1450
Sailing Practice
1 week of training on the yacht
Accommodation onboard
Feedback from the instructor
Certification (if selected)
Not ready to plunge
into sailing now?
into sailing now?
Leave your details, and we`ll update
you with the dates of our next trips!
you with the dates of our next trips!
Or
Stay tuned with us in socials!
Stay tuned with us in socials!
Follow our captain`s blog on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about us and get a notification about the next trip!
Stay tuned with us!
Follow our captain`s blog on Instagram to learn more about us and get a notification about the next trip!
Cookies managing
Cookie Settings
Cookies necessary for the correct operation of the site are always enabled.
Other cookies are configurable.
Other cookies are configurable.