If perching on top of the water is your preferred way to spend a day then there are loads of opportunities to train up as a sailing instructor around the world. Sailing brings not only an awesome sense of adventure and the chance to feel at one with the ocean, but a brilliant lifestyle with your crewmates! In order to qualify onto an RYA Sailing Instructor course, you must have a Powerboat Level 2 Certificate and RYA Level 2 in the sport. The Powerboat certificate can often be gained whilst working with a company, if a Powerboat instructor works there. There are also many UK colleges offering this qualification on an evening basis, so you can plan ahead.
Teach Sailing with RYA Certification
Australia is home to the gorgeous Whitsunday islands, Cairns, Sydney harbour and many other hotspots, which are in turn home to hundreds of boats taking large or small groups of people out for trips. Almost every one of these needs a deckhand to help out, so by taking up this role you gain lots of experience and confidence with your sailing skills. The entrepreneurial approach of walking into boat yard or company shops, asking if they need help and being flexible to meet their needs is often successful. Make sure you express your love for sailing and enthusiasm to learn more and develop your skills, as it increases your chances of sorting yourself a place on a boat or in a sailing school. Your chances of finding work at a beach resort area are increased as well.
Sailing schools and centres in various spots, especially those where the tourists flock to, often hire individuals to help out as general maintenance staff or as customer relations, but then provide them with opportunities to train up and increase their level within the sport. You are then able to become an assistant instructor, or take a course (paid for by the company) and continue working for them. If you already have enough experience, RYA Assistant Sailing Instructor is a recognised position, and many centres need individuals to take up this post.
If you want a fun and sun-filled adventure closer to home, islands along the Mediterranean such as Minorca and Gibraltar host many companies that require lots of enthusiastic staff due to the thousands that flock there throughout the year. The Greek islands are a world-renowned paradise for sailing and windsurfing. Many companies work by the sea, both larger international outfits and smaller local set-ups that still require staff. With on-shore winds and thermal breezes in the summer months, Costa Brava (the Bay of Roses) is another perfect location for hurtling across the sea on a windsurfer or laser as well as surfing with a kite. So if a mixture of water sports in one location is what tickles your fancy, then head down there as you will be able to put your hand to anything, and there are jobs aplenty when the peak season comes around.
Essential Websites:
www.rya.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
www.nationalcentrecumbrae.org.uk
www.asa.com
www.sail-world.com