had a fantastic experience with Academy Sailing. The instructors were exceptionally knowledgeable, patient, and professional, creating a supportive environment that made learning both enjoyable and confidence-building. Great teaching, great people, and hey Kathryn’s sponge cake and lentils curry is unforgettable!
Just completed a one day skills refresher course with Academy Sailing. An outstanding experience. Andy worked hard to accommodate our requirements, the instruction from Giles was first class and the food provided by Kathryn was exceptional.Odyssey is a well equipped and maintained yacht. I’ve had great experiences with other sailing schools but non better than Academy.
What an incredible experience learning to become ‘Competent Crew’ with Academy Sailing. Loved every minute (helped by a good dose of sunshine!) Giles, our instructor was fantastic, Patient, calm, friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. The yacht was super comfy, I’d not slept so well in a long time! And the food….not just delicious but beyond plentiful! Thank you so much. Highly, highly recommend.
Academy sailing Competent crew course was fantastic. Giles was amazing and taught us soo much, clearly passionate about sailing and it really inspired us. He shared, his clearly extensive, knowledge with us in a way that was easy to comprehend and we look forward to keeping in touch with him.
Plus Andy the owner has been so responsive throughout the whole journey sending us bits and bobs when we enter his mind and Kathryn’s food was superb. Thanks to all
These 5 days have not only been fun and educational at the same time, but had excited us for our next step with Academy sailing. Bring on ‘day skipper’!!
Had the most amazing couple of weekends with Academy Sailing for my Competent Crew! I had practically no experience whatsoever but Giles was excellent at ensuring that knowledge was expanded and put to as much practical use as possible.
The other people on my outings had a mix of experiences but everyone was catered for individually to get the most out of it. They were just a fabulous bunch to learn with.
Food was great - portions to sink you! Delicious, so thank you so much Kathryn.
I will definitely be back for Day Skipper.
Many thanks again to Andy and Kathryn and super thanks to Giles for never ending patience!!
Hi. I just completed 5 great days with Academy Sailing for my RYA Competent Crew course. The course was held on the ‘Dream Odyssey’, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i Performance – a lovely and well-equipped yacht, located at Burnham on Crouch. The course mainly took place on the River Crouch and where it meets the North Sea – so a very challenging range of both tidal river and ‘at sea’ training. The experience with Academy Sailing from the very beginning, has been excellent – the booking process was seamless, the pre-course advice was excellent, and the course was fantastic. Our instructor was Giles Ford-Crush – a very experienced RYA Yachtmaster, and from the moment of joining Dream Odyssey he was a perfect host and instructor. There was strong emphasis on safety throughout the course, and Giles did a great job in covering the RYA syllabus. There where a total of 4 students – 2 for Competent Crew and 2 for Day Skipper, and this proved to be a good combination for learning and crewing. We learned so much about yacht handling, reefing, sailing, control under engine, anchoring, emergencies, passage planning and general good marine practice. The weather was glorious, although the wind from time to time was a little wild, and with the River Crouch tides also meant a ‘baptism by fire’ but Giles patiently took us through the training, and we came through it with flying colours! The care from Academy Sailing extended to the fine catering – the food provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner was outstanding – often home cooked by Kathryn Barnes (Academy’s Sailing Director), Dream Odyssey was always kept clean warm and safe – and we had lovely evenings after a hard days sailing with us students and Giles just chatting together on a broad range of subjects – star gazing, boat buying, and so on… The team spirit was strong and friendships evolved on the course amongst us all. If you are seeking to attain RYA qualifications or develop your sailing and boat handling skills, then I would strongly recommend Academy Sailing!!
I recently completed a Day Skipper course with Academy Sailing and had a fantastic experience from start to finish.
Giles, (Skipper), was outstanding. He struck the perfect balance between being highly knowledgeable and genuinely approachable. His enthusiasm for sailing is infectious and he created an environment where everyone felt comfortable asking questions and getting stuck in. He was also very accommodating, tailoring the experience to suit the group while still making sure we covered everything we needed.
The boat itself was excellent. Well maintained, well equipped and a pleasure to sail. It made a big difference to the overall experience.
One of the biggest surprises was the food. I expected something basic but it was the complete opposite. It felt like proper home-cooked meals throughout and I definitely didn’t go hungry. A really nice touch that added to the whole trip and bonding experience.
The setting was beautiful. Truly picturesque part of the UK that i'd never considered and a great place to learn and enjoy being out on the water. Combined with a great group and plenty of laughs along the way, it made for a really memorable experience.
I’d highly recommend Academy Sailing to anyone considering a course. Great people, great setup and a genuinely enjoyable way to learn.
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2026.04.08
Dear Paul - thank you for the lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed the course so much, the home cooked food, Giles, and of course Dream Odyssey whom we love too. Thank you again for choosing us and congratulations again on becoming an RYA Day Skipper. Warm regards, Andy & Kathryn 😊👍⛵️
CLINT Beagle2026.04.07
I've just completed a Day skipper course with Academy Sailing and can highly recommend them. Fantastic tuition, food and yacht. Very professional whilst being a lot of fun.
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2026.04.06
Hi George - we are glad you enjoyed the course so much. It was lovely to meet you on Friday - and thank you for the help taking the mainsail off at the end 💪🏻😊⛵️🙏🏻
Sophie Pieper2026.04.06
Absolutely fantastic experience getting my RYA Skipper with Academy sailing. Giles our instructor was incredible at conveying concepts and helped improve my confidence and understanding.
Overall the trip was amazing with clearly tons of thought put into everything from the quality of the food to the boat and teaching standards, could not be more impressed!
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2026.04.06
Hi Sophie - thank you so much for the kind words 🙏🏻 It was a pleasure having you on the course. Congrats on becoming an RYA Day Skipper! 💪🏻😊⛵️
Galina Peek2025.12.05
I completed the Competent Crew Course with Academy Sailing this November, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience.
I was a complete beginner—I had never even been on a boat before—and I felt quite nervous beforehand. But from the moment I arrived, the instructors, Andy and Giles, were incredibly welcoming, patient, and supportive.
Giles explained everything clearly and in manageable steps, always checking that I had understood. The whole learning experience felt tailored to each person’s individual needs, which made a huge difference for me as a beginner. Despite the chilly and rainy November weather, I learned a great deal and genuinely enjoyed the course.
The food on board was excellent—home-cooked whenever possible—and they were very thoughtful in accommodating everyone’s dietary requirements, including vegan, gluten-free, and other specific diets.
I left the course feeling much more confident, knowledgeable, and excited about sailing.
I’m really glad I chose Academy Sailing and would highly recommend them to anyone considering the Competent Crew Course.
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2026.04.06
Hi Galina - thank you for the lovely review. A pleasure to have you on the course. Well done on getting your RYA Competent Crew qualification. Andy 😊⛵️💪🏻
Christopher R Dulake2025.12.01
Just spent a great weekend getting my RYA Day Skipper Practical with Giles and Andy at Academy Sailing. I came away having filled in the gaps in my practical knowledge and experience and at the same time, did some sailing in windy conditions in good company. All went smoothly thanks to good planning by Academy Sailing and a well equipped yacht. Thank you Giles and Andy and fellow trainees, Matt & Gallinda.
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2025.12.01
Thanks Chris. Kathryn and I are so pleased you had a great time. Congrats on the RYA Day Skipper qualification - thoroughly deserved with such an excellent solid performance from you through the whole course. Well done and thank you. Andy & Kathryn 😊⛵️👍
Francesco Medici2025.11.09
This was my second course with academy sailing. Again, I have learnt a lot and had an enjoyable time. Our instructor was competent, engaging and mindful of individual learning needs. Comfortable boat with all modern equipment. Food was excellent. Highly recommended.
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2025.11.09
Thank you Francesco - glad you had such a great time and thank you for doing your courses with us too. ❤️😊⛵️
Catharine Howard2025.10.20
The course that Academy Sailing run over 5 days from Burnham on Crouch is a rgood way to discover that sailing is a wonderful sport. Giles, our instructor was a
class teacher, endlessly patient and encouraging. The yacht is well equipped and that includes a varied and tasty menu. The river is beautiful and I came away with a core understanding of the basics of sailing. We laughed a lot too.
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2025.10.20
Thank you so much, Catharine! We’re so pleased you enjoyed the course and discovered a love for sailing — that’s exactly what it’s all about. Wonderful to hear you had such a great time with Giles and the crew. Wishing you many more happy days on the water and hope to be able to help you in the future with more sailing. Andy & Kathryn ⛵😊
Andy2025.10.20
I completed both my Comp crew and Day skipper with Academy Sailing, both times the instructors were fantastic, in addition to the course content the food and hospitality provided was first class, you certainly won't go hungry! I will always recommended Academy Sailing to anyone wanting to complete their RYA training.
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2025.10.20
Thanks so much, Andy! It was a real pleasure having you aboard for both courses. We’re delighted you enjoyed the training (and the food!) and that you got so much out of it. Wishing you plenty of great sailing adventures ahead. Andy & Kathryn ⚓😊
Jamez Raque2025.10.18
Amazing week's sailing. I did the competent crew course with 3 day sailors which I loved because I was doing night sailing and route planning which made the course even better. Best moment was the 6 hour sail from Harwich to the Crouch on one tack. Giles, our instructor, was very patient and except for the missing pasta and excess cheese the food was great. Well worth every penny. I would especially recommend doing the course over 5 consecutive days rather splitting it up over a couple of weekends. I'm doing the day sailor next year.
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2025.10.18
Hi James - thank you so much for your review. Giles loved having you on the course. It was a lovely crew and I know a lot of fun was had. Looking forward to welcoming you back on board Dream Odyssey for your RYA Day Skipper course. Thank you again. Andy & Kathryn 😊❤️👍
Tim Robertshaw2025.10.16
I’ve just completed the 5-day Day Skipper course with Academy Sailing, and it was an absolutely brilliant experience from start to finish.
Our instructor, Giles, was outstanding — clear, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable. He struck the perfect balance between professionalism and good humour, making learning both effective and enjoyable. He welcomed a bit of banter, which made the atmosphere on board relaxed and fun while still being focused.
The group of fellow learners and crew I had the pleasure of sailing with couldn’t have been better — a great mix of people, all keen to learn and work (and Drink) together. It really made the experience even more memorable.
One of the highlights for me was the route we took. I had mentioned during a previous course with Andy that I’d love to sail from Burnham-on-Crouch to Felixstowe, and to my surprise, that’s exactly what we did on the first day! From there, we explored some of the beautiful local rivers — including a slightly tense but exciting exit from the River Deben.
The yacht itself was lovely — comfortable, well-maintained, and a pleasure to sail. And I can’t go without mentioning the food — absolutely fantastic as always!
All in all, a great week with great people, superb instruction, and experiences that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended to anyone looking to build confidence and skills on the water.
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2025.10.16
Thanks you so much Tim. It was lovely to have you back with us. Glad you had a lovely week - congrats on becoming RYA Day Skipper. We will pass on your lovely feedback to Giles. Thank you again 🙏🏻❤️🤗⛵️👍
Tim Robertshaw2025.10.16
Having just completed a 2 day prep/refresher course I can honestly say the experience completely exceeded expectations.
Andy managed to run the days to cater for each persons needs effortlessly , his patient and calm teaching style is so encouraging along with some banter thrown in. He was great at always encouraging everyone and taking positives from situations to improve our sailing skills.
The boat is absolutely immaculately clean and thoroughly maintained and the food is outstanding so thank you Kathryn for your work behind the scenes preparing this.
If you want top class instruction, restaurant quality food and to be made to feel at home and welcome throughout then I would highly recommend Acadamy Sailing.
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2025.10.16
Hi Tim - just seen this review which has popped up from your 2 day refresher / prep for your Skipper course. Pleasure having you with us and thank you for the kind feedback ❤️😊👍
James Bardrick2025.10.16
After years of talking about it, my wife booked us on the RYA Day Skipper Practical course with Academy Sailing. We boarded Dream Odyssey on Monday morning and lived aboard until Friday afternoon. Having already completed the excellent RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course with Skippers Online, we needed to complete the practical course to get our ICC to allow us to charter a yacht in Europe. The week totally exceeded our expectations. We had great instruction covering all aspects of the syllabus so we learnt so much and improved on what we already thought we knew and could do. The best thing was that at the end of the week having received our certificates , we both agreed that we had had a fantastic week of sailing. We explored the Essex and Suffolk coast and river and we loved meeting , learning, socialising in the evenings and sailing together with our fellow students and brilliant instructor. This was all a real and unexpected bonus; and I haven’t mentioned yet just how comfortable living on Dream Odyssey was and the wonderful food. It was all terrific so not just a course passed but a fabulous 5 day holiday into the bargain ! Thank you Academy Sailing. We were lucky with the weather but you made sure nothing else was down to chance - we can’t recommend this experience too highly.
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2025.10.16
Hi James - so glad you had such a great time. You did brilliantly on your RYA Day Skipper qualification. Really appreciate the review - thank you so much! 😊 Andy & Kathryn 😊👍⛵️
Joanne Powell2025.10.06
Hi Andy and Kathryn. I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the great course and such fabulous food. Thank you for all the gluten free bits, too. I learned loads and certainly feel I will make a more competent crew now especially required as my husband has just put an offer on a sailing boat after doing competent crew, day skipper and coastal skipper with you! I will definitely book next year for day skipper when it all feels a bit more fluent.
Reply from Academy Sailing | RYA Sailing Courses2025.10.06
Hi Jo - so pleased you enjoyed it so much. Your kind words mean a lot. And congrats on buying your Moody sailing yacht!! You will have so many lovely times on it. We will keep an eye out for you on the water and we look forward to welcoming you back for your RYA Day Skipper course! ❤️
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