offshore sailing academy

FAQ's

years of sail training with offshore Sailing Acagemy
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Sailing careers begun at Offshore Sailing Academy
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Sailing students qualified for different sailing programs
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Please meet us outside the Point Yacht Club at 08:45h on Day#1.
Point Yacht Club – Main Entrance
3 Maritime Place, Durban 4001
GPS Co-ordinates: 29° 51’ 45.0” S 31° 01’ 19.4” E

Each day starts at 08:30 and end at around 16:00, usually with classroom time and practical
sailing each day – this is weather depended and the programme gets adjusted as we go if
need be. The last day usually ends at around 14:00 latest.

You are welcome to bring your own packed lunch or get from the yacht clubs – Lunch is
often spend on the boat so please try not to have a sit down meal at lunch time.
Point Yacht club’s kitchen is open from 07:30 Tuesdays to Sundays for breakfast and Lunch,
closing time is 15:00.
Royal Natal Yacht Club’s kitchen is open from 08:00 Tuesday to Sunday for breakfast, lunch
and supper.
Note: All meals is to your own account

The safest place to park is at Point Yacht Clubs parking area. They charge R20 per day for
parking and can be arrange on arrival.

Temporary membership is not necessary unless you are staying over on the boat and
making use of the clubs facilities. This can be pre-arranged by contacting the club on 031 301 4787 or members@pyc.co.za
Temporary Club Membership and parking is R120.00 per day
Access tag Refundable Deposit R100.00 (Must be in Cash)

We have very limited space available for people to stay over on the boat (only 4pax)
charged at R50 per night per person. It is a bit like caravanning and we ask that you please
bring your own sleeping bag/blanket and pillow. There are no cooking facilities on board.

Alternative accommodation options:
The Captain’s Cabin – Royal Natal Yacht Club
One room (air conditioned), two single beds, adjoining ablution facilities, based at Royal
Natal Yacht Club. Call reception on 031 301 5425 for bookings

Fiddler’s Rest B&B – Morningside
A recommended B&B in Morningside, Durban, which is close to the city centre. Log onto
www.fiddlersrest.co.za or call 031 209 8928 for bookings
Ebor House – 23 Ebor Avenue, Glenwood

B & B in Glenwood. Contact Megan on 082 443 8600 for bookings
Bentley on the Beach – Glenashley, La Lucia
B & B in La Lucia. Call 031 562 700 or 082 6511 333 for bookings
Another alternative is to visit www.bookings.com to find accommodation to suit your
requirements and your pocket.

As in any harbour area in the world…this is not the most secure area so please be warned
and on guard…NEVER go into town alone and rather in 2’s and 3’s. Keep your wits about you
and watch out for cell phone and bag snatchers – and muggers. WE CANNOT STRESS THIS
ENOUGH. Most students make the yacht clubs and marina their chosen venue as it is safe,
has an exciting ambience and provides an opportunity to rub shoulders with other Yachties

This need not be a problem – always keep yourself fed, preferably with non-greasy food,
and keep your liquid level up. Valoid or Stugeron are very good seasick tablets.
This can strike at any time and do not be shy to grab a pill and always keep your stomach
filled. Discuss with the Instructors. DO NOT think that an empty tummy will prevent “mal de
mer” – you MUST eat and keep your stomach fed!! Perhaps keep a packet of EAT-SUM-
MORE biscuits, ginger biscuits or any other type of biscuit on board. Coke is also a great
‘settler’.

You are most welcome to use your phone to take pictures but please be aware that your
valuables are not covered on our insurance in case of it getting damaged or lost overboard.

Please NO shore-shoes aboard. This brings grit onto the gel coat of the vessel. Only sailing
shoes may be worn on board, otherwise barefoot please. You can bring a spare pair of soft-
soled rubber shoes (Tommy trainers are perfect!) solely for use when sailing. BLACK soles
are NOT allowed – they mark the boat, so either flesh/green/beige/white soled trainer-type
shoes with rubber soles or bare feet if you’re comfortable with the deck layout.

PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL ITEMS ARE INSURED AS WE CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR
ANY LOSSES, I.E. CELL PHONES

  • Small and soft bag aboard – Limited space on yacht
    • Use a small bag/backpack for on-board where all your personal effects are stowed
  • Meds: Valoid, Stugeron, anything for sea sickness (just in case)
  • Snacks: – fruit, biscuits, biltong; and beverages – water, coke, energy drinks etc
  • Weather Gear: Good waterproof jacket, cap/hat for summer – woolly hat for winter
  • Clothing: Old tracksuits, shorts, t-shirts, costumes, etc. (comfy clothes) nothing smart
    required. Jeans are not comfortable to sail in…
  • Toiletries: Don’t forget to pack all you need
  • Sun Protection: Sunglasses, sunblock, long sleeve shirts etc.
  • Stationery: Calculator (essential for chart work! Basic adding and subtracting) Cell phones
    not allowed. – this is for the skippers courses only.
  • Footwear: Deck shoes – white soled non-marking trainers, docksides, etc. Shore shoes – shoes that can be used on shore only – not on yacht
  • Sleeping On-board: if you have reserved to sleep on-board, then pillow and sleeping
    bag/blanket is required. (we provide clean sheeting)
  • Swimming: Swim suit and towel

We try to limit the maximum number to 5 people but sometimes during peak season this
might go up to 6 people per group.

You need to be 16 in order to get a skippers ticket.

Younger people can do the yacht hand course and introduction to sailing sail. We asked that
children younger than 14 be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Yes we often have couples doing courses or part of it together.

Yes you can do up to Day skipper level. Unfortunately, not the Coastal skipper or Yacht
master tickets.

If you do the SA Sailing Day Skippers course and apply for the ICC (international
Certificate of Competency) you will be able to charter vessels in most of the Mediterranean
and some other countries. Most charter companies ask for the ICC ticket now days. The ICC
can only be issued to South African citizens or to those with SA Residency.

Yes SA Sailing does charge an extra fee for this on top of the usual day skipper fee – it cost
around R600.00.
There are no additional exams in order to apply for the ICC ticket – It forms part of the SA
Sailing day skipper exam.

At this stage the ICC ticket is valid for a period of 5 years – It is easy to renew by contacting
SA Sailing and paying the renewal fee.

Once all exams are passed, we will courier the exams to SA Sailing for processing. It usually
takes them around 10 to 15 days to issue the tickets – that is if they have all the necessary /
required documents and you have made application and payment for the exams/tickets. –
We will explain this process to you and give you the necessary documents to complete.

When starting out in the yachting industry all experience counts and having a skippers ticket
behind you means that you have done a bit more that the average person. Bear in mind for

the super yacht industry there will be some additional courses you might want to do. For
example, the STCW and maybe a PB2 qualification or even a diving course.

Unfortunately, we are not able to assist with job placements. We do sometimes have yacht
owners and skippers contact us looking for crew. We always put people forward for this if
they are available.