200 NM – Training and RYA Yachtmater Exam
39ft Sailing Yacht
Las Galletas (Tenerife, Canary Islands)
The time has come to get my skills end experiences enframed in a RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate. After a weekly general sailing course I have been offered a free week as a crew for YM examination after which I´ve basically signed myself up for my own exams.
RYA scheme gives a lot importance to communication and safety, of which it is never too much. I did enjoy and benefit a lot from the courses, I must say however, that sailing schools being a very good experience do not get you ready for the real situations of stress. A sailing school envirnoment creates a ‘bubble of safety’ due to the instructors present on boat, various situations of distress being only simulated, it is not entirely ‘real life sailing’.
I do recommend to gather various experieces either crewing or hitch-hiking boats, accompanied with other life experiences that make us stronger, to gain enough mental qualities and be able to cope with unpleasant situations that may happen in the reality. Sailing is not only light breeze, sunny afternoons and dolphins on the bow…:)
