A sailing instructor instructs people on how to sail a variety of boats. Many instructors work for themselves and are members of sailing industry associations. Others in this field work for government agencies, travel agencies, sports resorts, or educational institutions.
A sailing instructor must be licensed in many countries, and experienced sailors obtain this type of certification after completing a lengthy training course. Candidates for the course must typically have several years of sailing experience, including time spent on a variety of sailboats. Instructors must be adults for legal reasons, and licensees may be required to pass a physical examination in some cases. These instructor training courses typically include both classroom lectures and practical training sessions. Prospective instructors must pass a written exam covering maritime rules and procedures at the conclusion of the course, and in many cases, students must also pass a practical exam.
A certified sailing instructor organizes classes for people with varying levels of sailing experience. Teenagers who have not yet reached legal adulthood in some countries are permitted to participate in small vessel training courses. Sailing classes for experienced sailors are available, in which students are taught how to operate complex and high-powered sailboats. During these classes, a self-employed sailing instructor may charge a per-student fee, whereas other instructors are typically paid a flat salary that remains constant regardless of the number of students in the class.
A sailing instructor is responsible for providing class attendees with safety information in addition to teaching individuals skills such as how to repair rigging or how to navigate boats. This includes instructing students on how to use dinghies and other types of on-board equipment, as well as giving them advice on how to deal with medical emergencies. Instructors are frequently required to take first aid training certification courses. An instructor who has completed such a course can teach others how to perform basic medical techniques like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Many sailing instructors focus on teaching people how to sail recreational sailboats, but others teach people how to sail commercial sailboats. Members of the navy or armed forces in some countries are required to take sailing lessons, and some colleges and educational institutions hire sailing instructors to teach students how to operate marine craft. Professional sailors also work with instructors who are often retired sailors who have competed in similar events to prepare for boating races.