the Royal Malta Yacht Club

Sailing School

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Learn to Sail by the best

Pavlos Kontides, (Cyprus) Silver Medal, London Olympic Games 2012 Rolex Sailor of the Year, 2018

"The professional set up at the RMYC Sailing School makes it a good choice for our training. I really enjoyed being in Malta, the culture, food, people. And the climate is very similar to back home. I will definitely be back!"

Welcome To The Royal Malta Yacht Club Sailing School

At the RMYC Sailing School, we love sailing and are dedicated to providing high-quality sailing education to students of all ages and skill levels. Our focus is on delivering excellent sailing instruction while prioritising safety at all times. As part of the renowned Royal Malta Yacht Club, we have a rich history, including hosting the prestigious annual Rolex Middle Sea Race, a famous offshore classic in our sport.

The RMYC set up our Sailing School in 2014 along with SailCoach, an internationally recognised top-tier Olympic training organisation endorsed by World Sailing, the world governing body of our sport. Together, the Club and SailCoach worked to put a framework together that was suitable to the Maltese education system.

The result is a flexible, learn to sail program where lessons are  delivered into three-hour blocks instead of the usual weeklong course. This was a key factor in the RMYC Sailing School’s success as it offers flexibility to students to learn at their own pace.

Over the years, the RMYC Sailing School programme has grown to offer a wide variety of sailing experiences, starting from beginner learn-to-sail programmes to advanced race training for young racers.

Typically lessons start on the RS Quest, a dinghy suitable for families, and the Sailing School’s experienced instructors guide students through different levels.

As they improve, they can try other fun dinghy classes like the Bug, Optimist, RS Feva, and the ILCA (Laser) family of boats.

Sailing School Services

Welcome to the RMYC Sailing School

The Ultimate Destination for all Aspiring Sailors and Sea Enthusiasts!

email: sailingschool@rmyc.org 

2024 Winter Programme

January 6, 2024
March 22, 2024
All Levels
Royal Malta Yacht Club

Learn to Sail Level 1 (RS Quest) 6 to 16 yrs

  • Sunday – 9.30 to 12.30

 

Learn to Sail Level 2 (Bug) 7 to 12 yrs  

For children who have progressed from the Level

  • Saturday and Sunday – 9.30 to 12.30

 

Beginner Optimist

For children who have progressed from Learn to sail Level 2 or 3 

  • Saturday & Sunday – 9.30 to 12.30

 

Learn to Sail Level 3 (RS Feva) – 10 to 16yrs– 

For children who have progressed from Level 2 or Optimist 

  • Saturday & Sunday – 13.30 to 14.30

 

Adults

  • Saturday – 9.30 to 12.30

 

Family Lesson

Up to 4 family members

  • Saturday – 9.30 to 12.30

 

NEW!!!!!    Ladies that Launch

  • Friday – 10.00 to 12.00

 

Prices

  • Children up to 16 – Per lesson* – €25

*per scheduled lesson

  • Adults – Per Lesson – €40
  • Family – Per Lesson – €120 per family
  • Ladies that launch – €30

Term packages available on Children’s lessons

Please contact us for more details and specific lessons dates sailingschool@rmyc.org

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Learn to Sail Level 1 (RS Quest) – 6 to 16 years

Learn to Sail
RMYC

This is our entry-level class, where the basics of sailing in a controlled, safe, and enjoyable environment are taught by one of our qualified instructors who will be sailing with you. Lessons will be taken on one of our RS Quests with a group of other sailors.

No prior experience needed.  These three-hour sessions take place on Sunday mornings and cover the knowledge required to get afloat under supervision, giving you a basic understanding of boat handling techniques.

Take as many of these lessons as you need until you feel confident enough to progress to Learn to Sail Level 2.

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Learn to Sail Level 2 (Bug) – 7 to 12 years

Level 2
Royal Malta Yacht Club

The Bug is a fantastic little boat that helps develop sailing skills after sailors have learnt the basics from the Learn to Sail Level 1 (RS Quest)

The RMYC Sailing School uses the Bug dinghy as a stepping stone before progressing to other pathways such as the Optimist or Learn to Sail Level 3 (RS Feva)  since the Bug, allows sailors to develop their sailing knowledge in a safe and controlled environment.

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Learn to Sail Level 3 (RS Feva) – 10 to 16 years

Level 3
Royal Malta Yacht Club

The world’s leading double-handed dinghy for youngsters, the RS Feva training is ideal for this age group or sailors who have come through the Sailing School pathway or equivalent experience and would like to sail regularly all year round.  Our instructors will focus on a variety of boat handling skills, manoeuvres and ways to make the boat sail faster and more efficiently. The sailors who attend the training may be given the opportunity to take part in the national and international regattas. RS Feva sailors should be over the age of 10.

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Adult & Family Classes

Adults & Families
RMYC

Saturday 9.30 to 12.30 – All year
Wednesday 18.00 to 20.00 – Summer only

Dinghy sailing is a fantastic and rewarding water sport. At the RMYC Sailing School you can learn the basics of sailing in a controlled, safe and enjoyable environment with your own instructor sailing with you. No prior experience needed. Saturday morning sessions, consist of three-hour sessions which cover the knowledge required to get afloat under supervision, giving you a basic understanding of boat handling techniques.

Take as many lessons as you need, until you feel confident enough to take a boat out by itself.

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ILCA

Advanced
Royal Malta Yacht Club

The focus of this advanced ILCA (Laser) training group is to provide a platform for sailors who have been active in youth classes or Optimists sailors who would like to make the transition to the ILCA Class.

We provide regular weekly training sessions with on-the-water drills teaching advanced boat handling techniques, enhance racing strategy and tactics, and further familiarise sailors with the Racing Rules of Sailing. Participants are encouraged to attend local and international regattas.

ALL Laser sailors are required to buy their own Sail ties, Bungs, Electrical Tape, and Sail tape. They should always keep spares, as we will not be able to provide these.

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Optimist

Advanced
Royal Malta Yacht Club

This is the Sailing School’s advanced Optimist group, designed for sailors focused on developing racing-specific knowledge and skills.

Sailors in the advanced Sea Lions classes should be comfortable competing in Senior or Cadet fleets races. Classroom sessions and on-the-water drills teach advanced boat handling techniques, enhance racing strategy and tactics, and further familiarise sailors with the Racing Rules of Sailing.

Participants are encouraged to attend local and international regattas.

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Optimist Beginner

Beginner
Royal Malta Yacht Club

Optimist Beginner 

Sailors in the Beginner class are new to the class and the aim is to progress to the Racing team. 

The Optimist is one of the Sailing School’s advanced groups, designed for sailors focused on developing racing-specific knowledge and skills. Classroom sessions and on-the-water drills teach advanced boat handling techniques, enhance racing strategy and tactics, and further familiarise sailors with the Racing Rules of Sailing. Participants are encouraged to attend local and international regattas.

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Private Lessons

RMYC

In our personalised session, you’ll receive expert guidance from a sailing instructor who will teach you the essentials of sailing. From understanding wind direction to manoeuvring the boat, you willl gain hands-on experience and build confidence on the water. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, this private lesson guarantees an engaging and memorable adventure.

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Team Building Events

18+
Royal Malta Yacht Club

Enhance teamwork, foster collaboration, and ignite the spirit of camaraderie with our team building sailing events.

A typical event will see the Sailing School instructors will guide you through dinghy sailing, learning the ropes and finishing the event with a fun regatta, which always ends up in a competitive but fun affair.

These events are ideal for all, irrespective of whether your team is made up of complete novices, experienced sailors or a mix of both.

The RMYC Sailing School’s Team Building Events are a guaranteed fun way to spend time together with your team.

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Ladies that Launch

March 8, 2024
Level 1
Royal Malta Yacht Club

Dinghy sailing is a fantastic and rewarding water sport. At the RMYC Sailing School you can learn the basics of sailing in a controlled, safe and enjoyable environment with your own instructor sailing with you.

No prior experience needed.

Our Friday Morning lessons are a fun and relaxed way to learn to sail. With a two-hour lesson you can learn to sail in small bite sizes and follow it up with a tasty lunch at Port 21. (Lunch not included in the price, but special discount of 20% on food will be given) 

Take as many lessons as you need, until you feel confident enough to take a boat out by itself.

Lessons will start on Friday 8th March.

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Get to know

The Coaches

At the core of the RMYC Sailing School’s success in competitive sailing is its expert coaching team. Comprising seasoned sailors and experienced coaches, the RMYC Sailing School coaches offer comprehensive training and mentorship to sailors of all ages and skill levels. From youth sailors taking their first steps in competitive regattas to seasoned veterans vying for championship titles, the coaching staff tailors their guidance to suit individual goals and aspirations.

Ruya Cakmakli

Chief Instructor

The first thing that impresses you when you meet Rüya is her passion for being on the water, and she’s able to pass that passion onto her students successfully. From Istanbul in Turkey with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Bahçeşehir, after successfully finishing her degree, Rüya travelled to New Zealand, where she took a language course in Auckland and spent her free time teaching sailing. Upon returning home, she worked for the biggest water sports company in Turkey before joining SailCoach in 2016 as Chief Instructor at RMYC Sailing School, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the industry. Rüya has also gained a lot of experience coaching Optimists, both in New Zealand and with SailCoach, and has worked alongside several world-class coaches, gaining an abundance of experience with that class. Recently Rüya has achieved success coaching in the Optimist and ILCA4 class, with her young athletes having successful European and World Championships. Ruya has been the head coach at the Sailing school since 2017.

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Karlis Junaers

ILCA Coach

Karlis had joined the RMYC Sailing school this Autumn from Latvia.

Karlis started his sailing at the age of 8 in the optimist moving on to the ILCA Class. He is the two times Latvian Champion in the ILCA7 class as well as a number of other under 21s National Championships around Europe.

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Jake Aquilina

Coach

Ben Millar

Coach

20 year old Ben hails from Sligo, Ireland and is currently going into his 3rd year of studying Electrical Engineering in University College Dublin.

Ben began sailing when he was twelve years old at the Sligo Yacht Club. After a few summers of doing ISA courses, e hbegan doing some club racing in both dinghies and keelboats.  Initially Ben raced Mirror dinghies, competing in a few local and national competitions. Last summer, he got involved in J24 sailing and competed in most of the national competitions and the European Championships.

Ben became an assistant instructor in 2019 and spent a summer assisting on the junior sailing courses in both his local club and Mullaghmore Sailing Club. In 2020 he got my Dinghy Instructor Certificate, working for two summers at Sligo Yacht Club.  Over the two summers instructing on the junior sailing courses, he coached sailors of various abilities and got to work with several different Senior Instructors. During that time, he also instructed on some adult sailing courses.

When he moved to Dublin for college, he worked occasionally in the INSS as a sailing instructor for beginner sailors.

Ben’s  other hobbies outside of Sailing include Rugby, Basketball and Golf.

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Committed To Delivering High Standards

The Royal Malta Yacht Club Sailing School is committed to deliver sailing tuition of a high standard to attract more people to the beautiful sport of sailing, irrespective of what level a student has.  The Sailing School has earned a well-deserved reputation as a premier sailing institution that has also attracted Olympic-level sailors from around the globe. With its commitment to excellence and expert coaching, the school has become a magnet for talented athletes seeking to fine-tune their skills and elevate their performance to the highest levels of competitive sailing.

Sailing Courses For All

From introductory courses catering for beginners to advanced programmes for seasoned sailors seeking to refine their skills, our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to cater to diverse interests and aspirations. The RMYC Sailing School offers dinghy sailing courses for all ages 7 and above from our base at the Royal Malta Yacht Club, Ta’ Xbiex. Whether dreaming of leisurely cruising along Malta's azure waters or competing in prestigious regattas, the Royal Malta Yacht Club Sailing School provides the knowledge and hands-on training necessary to set sail with confidence.

Testimonials

Hear what people have to say about the RMYC Sailing School…

Had a few lessons now and love it. The information up front was concise and super friendly. Instructors are patient and professional, highly recommended.
Lisa Gauci Fraser
10 years sailing
I recommend this sailing school. A very professional and friendly instructors team. Also the pace is lovely and you can learn to sail enjoying a magnificent scenery.
Fabio Ruggiero
10 years sailing
Fantastic Sailing School. The teachers are so patient and a lot of fun and the children are really enjoying learning to sail. Thanks so much!
Liz Mahy
10 years sailing
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FAQ

We Are Here To Help You With Any Questions You May Have

Dinghies are small open sailing boats which are great of day sailing, having fun and racing. They are a popular affordable, and exciting way of getting afloat. Because nearly all sailing clubs and training centres use sailing dinghies, this makes them more accessible.

Safety is our highest priority.

Sailing School staff will err on the side of safety when making weather-related activity decisions.

First aid kits are located in every motorboat and in the Sailing School office.

If your child has medical conditions, please be sure to alert and discuss protocols with the Chief Instructor.

Should an accident occur, please report to an instructor immediately.

In addition, lifejackets are mandatory and shall be worn at all times while near the water, on the docks, or on the water. 

Summer Months

You will need to wear shorts and a t-shirt (preferably a UV t-shirt/top) , a cap or hat, plenty of high factor sun cream, and water shoes/booties.

If you don’t have water shoes, you can wear Flip Flops on land, but on the boats, you will need to have bare feet.

No jewellery is to be worn

For safety reasons, long hair needs to be tied back.

Winter Months

For Lessons, you may wish to wear warmer clothing. leggings/jogging pants.

Regular sailors tend to opt to buy a wetsuit.

It’s always a good idea to bring a change of clothes.

The first lessons will be on an RS Vision dinghy.

On each dinghy, there will be an instructor and no more than 5 children.

Once each child gains enough sailing skills and knowledge, they can then move on to a single-handed dinghy, LASER BUG.

Each lesson will begin with rigging the dinghies, a briefing (explanation of what will happen in the lesson), a time out on the water, and the lesson will end with de-rigging and washing the dinghies.

Children who wish to log their sailing time and lessons can buy a Logbook from the office at a fee of €5. These will be filled in by our instructors, after each lesson.

Should a sailor wish to have a one-to-one lesson, these can be arranged subject to the instructor and dinghy availability.

Please contact us to enquire.

A private lesson should be prepaid before confirmation is given.

As an entity registered with SportMalta, parents are eligible to benefit from a Tax Rebate Scheme. Parents are to forward the necessary information to the RMYC Sailing School by the end of each year. Forms will be submitted by the RMYC Sailing School in January.

Anyone wishing to contact the school can do so by sending an email on sailingschool@rmyc.org

Lessons can be booked via our CheckFront site, up to 36 hours prior to the lessons and subject to availability.

To book please follow  the instructions below.

  • Please go to the CheckFront website
  • Select the category of your lesson – Summer Sailing/ Adults/ Youth sailing
  • Select the date of the lesson you wish to book, in the side panel.
  • Scroll down and select the lesson or package you wish to book – E.G.Beginners/ Adult/ Fun Fridays
  • Should you wish to add extra dates, please click “Add to Booking” before submitting.
  • Check the details of the package before continuing.
  • Click theContinue button and complete the details.

 

You don’t need to bring anything special with you just a change of clothes, a T-shirt, shorts and a pair of gym shoes you don’t mind getting wet. We will provide you with lifejacket.

We will provide you with all the necessary equipment but we suggest you bring the following with you.

  • A refillable water bottle
  • Sun cream (30+)
  • Hat
  • Swimsuit
  • A change of clothing and a towel.
  • Rain gear if it’s forecast to rain. We may still sail if it’s raining.
  • Sailing booties or water shoes

Label all clothing and belongings clearly with indelible markers.

Lessons are only cancelled if the weather causes safety concerns or we cannot launch.

In the rare occasion of a cancellation, you will be informed via the WhatsApp group.

Yes,

The first lessons will take place on a Dinghy – RS Vision.

Life Jacket will be supplied.

In general, they will be accompanied by an instructor and another adult.

Once enough knowledge and skills have been gained, it is then possible to rent one of our dinghies.

Children who begin aged 6 to 16

Level 1 (RS Quest)  > Level 2 (Bug)  > Level 3 (RS Feva or Optimist Beginner) > ILCA

Adults

RS Vision Beginner > Advanced sailing (no instructor)

There are so many opportunities to make being on the water a part of your life. You may like to join a club and enjoy the social life that comes with it, or take part in competitions, or even work towards a career in the water sports industry.

Availability of our courses can be viewed on this link – Course Availability

Lessons can be booked via our CheckFront site, up to 36 hours prior to the lessons and subject to availability.

Gallery

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