Our RYA Day Skipper Combined FastTrack training course is one of our most popular and for good reason. Once you have completed the RYA Competent Crew course it is an excellent, cost effective, way to gain both the RYA Day Skipper theory and Day Skipper Practical tidal qualification with just one full week off work. It is also recognized as evidence of competence when applying for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

Completing the practical course straight after the theory course gives excellent continuity and enables you to share the whole Day Skipper journey with others of a like mind.

Why not conside getting your VHF licence whilst you're here with us?  Just complete your VHF course online before you arrive, and have your face to face assessment whilst you're with us.  VHF online course


What‘s covered on this course?

RYA Day Skipper Theory:

You’ll begin the training course by spending four days in our Gibraltar classroom with a highly experienced instructor. You’ll cover the basics of navigation – including tidal calculations, chart reading and navigation, collision regulations, meteorology and the use of electronic navigational aids and AIS. At the end of the course you’ll be well prepared to take the RYA Day Skipper theory tests. You will need to bring your brain, a notepad, a 2B pencil, a rubber, a pen and a calculator with you.

The RYA currently have a production issue with their hard copy RYA Day Skipper Theory packs and are only able to provide training centres with digital packs.  Therefore, please ensure you bring an electronic device as you will need to download and install the RYA e-books app.  https://www.rya.org.uk/shop/ebook-info/devices

RYA Day Skipper Practical (tidal):

After completing the theory element, you’ll join our training yacht to put it all into practice over the next five days. Under the guidance of an experienced RYA instructor you’ll take on all aspects of skippering a yacht – including sail trim, stern-to and alongside mooring, pilotage, passage planning, anchoring and safety management on board. As part of the training course you’ll have the chance to develop your leadership skills by taking charge of a short passage. But don't worry! Our instructor will remain on hand to give advice and encouragement and ensure your safety.

Check out our RYA Day Skipper Fastrack Itinerary to see what you can expect on this 9 day course. 

RYA Day Skipper Fastrack Itinerary

What experience do I need?

Check you're up to scratch and can do everything on the Competent Crew Syllabus and then you'll know you're ready for Day Skipper Fastrack. You must be over 16.

What's included?

  • Accommodation on board throughout the course
  • A generous weekly budget to cover the food provisioning of the yacht
  • Complimentary accommodation on board during the theory element of the course -the theory element of this course is self catering
  • Waterproof clothing
  • Bedding and towels 
  • Safety equipment
  • Mooring fees
  • All charts and publications.
  • RYA Day Skipper theory Course
  • RYA Day Skipper Practical course.

Upon successful completion of our Day Skipper FastTrack training course you'll be awarded the RYA Day Skipper Theory and RYA Day Skipper Practical (tidal) qualification. The Day Skipper practical qualification also enables you to apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

Course schedule:

Start: 09:30 sharp on Saturday at Queensway Quay Marina.

End: 16:30 on Sunday at Queensway Quay Marina 

* Please note, the earliest return flight you could catch from Gibraltar Airport is from 17:00

Accommodation on board is available on the Friday evening by prior arrangement at a cost of £60 (this can be booked online). If you are on the easyJet flight arriving into Gibraltar in the evening, please get in touch

This is a 9 day course.

Course cost:

Low Season (1st November - 31st March) from: £1149

High Season (1st April - 31st October) from: £1249

Option for own cabin:

To guarantee your own cabin for the duration of your course, please select available dates below.

Low Season (1st November - 31st March) from: £1499

High Season (1st April - 31st October) from: £1599

Please note: If you choose not to guarantee your own cabin, you may be allocated a saloon berth.

If you are making a booking for two people and are happy to share a cabin with each other, you do not need to select the own cabin option.

How to book:

It's easy! Just select the training course date you want below. Click on book, confirm that this is the course and date that you want and then complete your details on our secure online booking system. A 25% deposit is all that's needed, with the balance payable 45 days before your course starts.

What's next?

Being a qualified Day Skipper will allow you to charter yachts all around the world and RYA Day Skipper sail within the charter company's specified range from a safe haven.

Although this is enough for many people, the next step is the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical training course or to progress extra swiftly the RYA Coastal Skipper combined course. The RYA Coastal Skipper qualification will allow you to undertake more challenging and longer passages by day and night, handle the yacht in more demanding conditions and progress along your journey to RYA Yachtmaster. Our Extended Yachtmaster Preparation Course incorporates our Coastal Skipper Combined all the way through to RYA Yachtmaster.

SELECT YOUR COURSE

Book online now

Course cost:

Low Season (1st November - 31st March) from:

£1149

High Season (1st April - 31st October) from:

£1249


Option for own cabin:

To guarantee your own cabin for the duration of your course, please select available dates below.

Low Season (1st November - 31st March) from:

£1499

High Season (1st April - 31st October) from:

£1599

Please note: If you choose not to guarantee your own cabin, you may be allocated a saloon berth.

If you are making a booking for two people and are happy to share a cabin with each other, you do not need to select the own cabin option.

RYA Training Center

See what our clients say

  • Great week with Jolly Parrot our instructors Ian and Lissie were excellent and prepared us above and beyond for our Yachtmaster assessment at the end of the week. Would definitely recommend for any of your training.


    Ben
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  • Amazing 10 days with my instructor Ian working on my yacht master coastal prep course, which I successfully passed the day after the course. Great company couldn’t recommend them enough booking was easy and very well informed thanks to Rachel working behind the scenes.


    Greg
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  • Absolutely incredible! Recently, I completed Jolly Parrot’s ‘Novice to Day Skipper’ course, and it was one of the best experiences of my life! Not only did I learn to sail, but the course also improved my confidence massively. The instructors were all so lovely and incredibly knowledgeable. Greg was my instructor for the Day Skipper portion and I couldn’t imagine anyone better suited for the job - An excellent instructor with impeccable humour. I met some amazing people during this course (namely my crew mates Bene, Doug and Flo), and overall had a wonderful time :)


    Georgia
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  • Novice to Day Skipper course with Alex & Jason I was eager to learn to sail and at the same time to have relaxing time (holiday-like). It worked well for me, the instructors were cool and I was lucky to meet good colleagues sailors and have good time on the way. Keep rocking Jolly.


    Nikola
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  • 16-week Fast-Track I completed the 16-week Fast-Track program with Jolly Parrot, starting as a complete beginner with no prior sailing experience. From the moment I stepped aboard, the instructors—Ian, Greg, Rob, and Jason—became my guides, transforming my raw inexperience into something far more seasoned and confident. With their patience, skill, and unshakable belief in every student, they taught me far more than I could have imagined. If you’re considering joining, I can wholeheartedly recommend Jolly Parrot. The program is well-structured, and the instructors are highly knowledgeable, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to develop their sailing skills.


    Tobias
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  • We spent a wonderful 11 days in November 2021 with Jolly Parrot. I completed the Coastal Skipper Combined course and my wife the Comp Crew. Instructors Flipper, IanG, Hailey, and Tom were all exceptional in their own unique way and we came away with more rounded skills and knowledge as a result of their patient teaching methods. Clive and Rachel did a fabulous job of shuffling schedules and boats to accommodate our different experience levels. Expect to be challenged on the Coastal Skipper course! We made some abiding memories, some long-term connections and friends, and hope to return soon for the next challenge maybe a mile-builder.


    James
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