Five Days to Skipper: A Women‑Only RYA Day Skipper off West Vancouver

WEST VANCOUVER SAILING FIELD GUIDE

Five Days to Skipper: A Women‑Only RYA Day Skipper off West Vancouver

A five‑day liveaboard RYA Day Skipper practical course run by Sea to Sky Sailing that logs 100 nautical miles and includes night sailing to qualify you to apply for an ICC.

Five Days to Skipper: A Women‑Only RYA Day Skipper off West Vancouver.

Duration
Contact operator
Location
West Vancouver
Operator
Sea to Sky Sailing
Category
Sailing
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Off the shores of West Vancouver, a concentrated five‑day liveaboard sits at the intersection of instruction and open water: the Women‑Only RYA Day Skipper run by Sea to Sky Sailing condenses the RYA Day Skipper practical syllabus into consecutive days of hands‑on skippering, navigation and night passages so students can log required sea miles and night hours toward the International Certificate of Competency.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE CERTIFICATION

RYA Day Skipper curriculum with an ICC pathway

The course follows the Royal Yachting Association Day Skipper standard and prepares students to apply for the International Certificate of Competency (ICC), the credential many governments and charter companies recognize worldwide.

THE TRAINING

Five days liveaboard: 100 nm and night hours

Delivered as five consecutive days aboard, the practical training is structured so students log 100 nautical miles and complete at least four hours of night sailing as part of the course requirements.

THE COHORT

Women‑only sessions for focused instruction

By popular request, these limited sessions are open to women only; other Sea to Sky Sailing sessions remain open to all sailors.

What the day feels like

What five days on the water feels like

Expect concentrated, on‑deck instruction where classroom topics are immediately practiced at the helm: days are spent navigating passages, practicing boat handling and watch systems while the log accumulates toward the 100 nm requirement, and at least one night passage is run to complete the night sailing hours required by the Day Skipper standard.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this course is built for — and who should prepare further before arriving.

1
Aspiring SkippersIdeal for sailors who already meet Competent Crew standard and want practical skippering experience and the RYA Day Skipper qualification en route to applying for an ICC.
2
New SailorsNot a beginner course: students must already have substantial previous sailing experience equivalent to RYA Competent Crew and prior days at sea.
3
Young AdultsYoung sailors can qualify—there is a 20% discount for ages 18–25—provided they meet the course pre‑requisites.
4
Women Seeking Focused InstructionThese limited sessions are open to women only, offering a cohorted learning environment requested by past students.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Duration

The course runs as five consecutive days aboard (a liveaboard practical course).

Course Prerequisites

Students must demonstrate knowledge to the RYA Competent Crew standard, have 5 days at sea, 100 nautical miles logged and 4 hours of night sailing; completion of the Day Skipper online theory prior to the practical is strongly recommended.

What the Course Delivers

Practical instruction follows the RYA Day Skipper curriculum and is structured to allow students to apply to the RYA for the International Certificate of Competency (ICC).

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the course?

The Day Skipper practical runs for five consecutive days as a liveaboard course.

Is this course open to all sailors?

These particular sessions are open to women only; Sea to Sky Sailing’s other sessions remain open to any and all sailors.

What prior experience do I need?

Students must have knowledge equivalent to the RYA Competent Crew standard, at least 5 days at sea, 100 nautical miles logged and 4 hours of night sailing; taking the Day Skipper online theory beforehand is strongly recommended.

What certification will I get on completion?

The course follows the RYA Day Skipper syllabus and prepares students to apply to the RYA for the International Certificate of Competency (ICC).

Are there discounts?

There is a 20% discount for participants aged 18–25.

How many nautical miles and night hours are logged?

The practical training is structured so students log 100 nautical miles and complete at least four hours of night sailing as part of the course requirements.