From the Office to the Open Waters - Steve's Journey to Becoming an RYA Dinghy and Powerboat Instructor

Steve earned his RYA Levels 1 and 2 during the 80s, followed by his RYA Powerboat Level 2 in the 90s, though he admits the training pathway “wasn’t quite as well structured then as it is today!” In the early 2000s, he broadened his skills further, gaining both his Personal Watercraft and VHF qualifications.

“It’s all a little bit piecemeal,” he reflects, “but I’ve always loved sailing, and after I retired, I had this inkling of an idea about becoming a sailing instructor.” Aware of the gaps in his training, Steve chose to start the process afresh, and so the journey began.

With Rockley offering all the courses Steve needed, it was equally important for him to find a company that could support him through the entire process. A conversation at the RYA Dinghy Show with Sara and several other members of the Rockley team quickly followed, and together they shaped a clear plan to help Steve achieve his goal of becoming a qualified RYA Dinghy Instructor.

“I was so impressed by everyone’s commitment to making it work for me,” Steve says. “Sara was fantastic from the very start and has continued to show so much interest and support throughout!”

Already armed with his earlier sailing experience, Steve knew that much of his focus would need to be on refining his techniques. And so began the two-to-three-year journey. The first year alone included seven courses - RYA Levels 1–3, Seamanship Skills, Spinnakers, Performance Sailing, and RYA First Aid.

“Everyone was fantastic. There’s a real team spirit at Rockley. People are genuinely interested in what you’re doing, and I was so impressed with all the instructors. I worked with four or five different instructors throughout the process, which meant I got to see a range of teaching styles. Every one of them was perfectly suited to the courses they delivered.”

Steve enjoyed the initial set of courses so much that he felt motivated to book the next batch - with a few additions, thanks to Rockley Instructor, Matt.

At the end of the RYA Performance Sailing course, time permitting, Matt likes to take students out for a catamaran sail, and it’s usually a hit. Steve was no exception. “It was absolutely fantastic. I really enjoyed it and was hooked. I thought, ‘How can I get more of this into the plan?’” It wasn’t long before he booked a five-day private tuition course with Toby, which he describes as “absolutely superb.”

In the year that followed, Steve lined up another series of sailing and powerboat courses, all building toward his RYA Dinghy Instructor Course in the summer. Despite taking place in August, the weather felt more like winter, presenting some extremely challenging conditions. “It was fun, but the weather was absolutely horrendous! I really enjoyed the teaching element, though, and once again, everyone knew exactly what they were doing.”

We already know what makes Rockley Point such a special learning centre, but what drew Steve to it? “The sailing conditions here really enhance what you get from the courses. It’s so much better learning in a tidal environment; it makes a massive difference. The goal isn’t just ticking boxes, it’s about truly understanding the fundamentals of sailing in varying weather conditions and learning how to adapt, both as a sailor and as an instructor.”

In a relatively short time, Steve has achieved an impressive amount. “I’ve essentially re-done the entire RYA Dinghy Sailing and Powerboat syllabus, so I’m completely up to date with everything. It’s all worked out really well.”

So, what’s next for Steve? “My Multihull Instructor Endorsement. And more hours on the water.”