SailWeek Academy

FAQ

General

WHAT IS SAILWEEK SKIPPER ACADEMY?
The SailWeek Skipper Academy offers a comprehensive training program designed for individuals seeking to acquire sailing skills or advance their careers in the sailing industry. Whether your goal is to become a seasoned professional skipper or simply expand your knowledge, this academy provides all the essential expertise required for working as either a flotilla skipper or a private charter skipper.
WHAT IS SAILWEEK HOST ACADEMY?
The SailWeek Host Academy is a training program designed to equip you with the essential skills for launching your career as a hostess. This comprehensive course covers food preparation & design, boat maintenance, and introduces foundational knowledge about sailing.
HOW LONG IS THE ACADEMY?
We offer a regatta sailing course spanning 14 consecutive days. Our beginner sailing course also spans 14 days, but this is split into two separate weeks. Additionally, we provide advanced and catamaran sailing courses, each lasting 7 days. Our hostess course is also a 7-day program. All courses follow a Saturday to-Saturday schedule.
WHERE IS THE ACADEMY HELD?
Courses take place in Croatia from April through May and in Greece during the month of May.
IS ACCOMODATION PROVIDED DURING THE ACADEMY?
Certainly. Yes, while participating in the academy, you will stay in a cabin on your yacht, with all bed linen included. Throughout your academy, you'll be sharing a yacht with other candidates, and each day will be dedicated to on-board theoretical learning and practical application under the guidance of the instructor.
WHO ARE THE INSTRUCTORS?
Our instructors are all highly experienced professionals in their respective fields. They will provide comprehensive explanations and live demonstrations for everything onboard. You'll experience a wide range of scenarios and will be required to apply your knowledge to each situation. Throughout the process, your instructors will lead you through various exercises, offer valuable tips and techniques, and provide continuous feedback until you are fully prepared to work independently.
AFTER I FINISH WILL I GET A CERTIFICATE AND THE LICENCE?
For Skippers:

The SailWeek Academy provides the SailWeek Academy FlotilaTM certificate, which is a specialised company-branded competence certification. It's important to note that our academy does not issue international licenses.

For those starting as a SailWeek skipper with minimal experience, they will need to obtain an international license. Upon completing the Beginners course, candidates will be well-prepared to do so. A list of approved international licenses can be found here:

Accepted licenses
You can apply and take the test:
For Hosts:

The SailWeek Academy provides the SailWeek Academy certificate, which is a specialised company-branded competence certificate.

IS WORK GUARANTEED AFTER THE ACADEMY?
Yes, candidates who successfully complete one of our courses are guaranteed 4 weeks of work. It's essential to note that you must possess a valid commercial sailing license to work as a skipper.
WHAT DO I NEED TO WORK FOR SAILWEEK?
Skippers
  1. To qualify as a skipper, you need to successfully complete one of our SailWeek Academy courses.
  2. It's essential to hold a valid commercial sailing license to work as a skipper.
  3. Skipper gear; we will provide you with T-shirts and Lycra.
  4. If you plan to work as a skipper for SailWeek, you must have your own VHF radio.
  5. It is mandatory for a skipper to have their own skipper insurance; they cannot work without it.
Host
  1. To qualify as a hostess, you need to complete one of our SailWeek Academy courses.
  2. Working as a hostess at SailWeek does not require an STCW License.

Applications and payment

HOW DO I APPLY TO ACADEMY? WHEN I WILL KNOW IF I AM ACCEPTED FOR THE ACADEMY?
To apply to the Academy, please fill in the application form and send your CV or LinkedIn profile. If necessary, include your sailing license.

After that, we will contact you directly via email to confirm if we have considered your application. We will then send you a link for payment.

Once you have paid the first deposit installment, you can consider yourself accepted.

I HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE? CAN I ATTEND ADVANCED OR CATAMARAN COURSE?
Our Advanced and Catamaran courses are exclusively open to candidates who possess both a valid commercial sailing license and relevant experience.
WHAT LICENCES ARE ACCEPTED TO ATTEND THE ADVANCED AND CATAMARAN SAILING COURSES?
Accepted licenses

This is extremely important. If the licence you have is not on the list, please contact us via email with the photo of your licence. In order to work as a professional skipper, you must have an internationally valid license.

I HAVE THE LICENCE AND DRIVE MOTOR BOATS. CAN I ATTEND THE ADVANCED COURSE?
Theoretically yes, but we wouldn't recommend that. If you don’t have experience with sailing boats, we recommend taking the Beginner course.
WHAT ARE THE ADDITIONAL COSTS?
Travel arrangements to the Academy starting point, including flights and transportation. As part of the program, there is an optional mid-week group dinner. Regarding food and beverages, it's important to note that every sailboat is equipped with kitchen facilities, allowing you to prepare your meals onboard without incurring significant additional expenses.
CAN I PAY IN INSTALLMENTS?
Yes, you can pay in three installments.

The first installment is a deposit of 100 euros.
The remaining two installments are the rest of the amount divided in half.

If you are registering a month before the start of the course, you must pay the full amount at once.

Getting Certified (Skipper only)

DOES SAILWEEK ISSUES CERTIFICATES?
No.Valid commercial certificates and licences in Croatia are issued only by Croatian Port authorities after taking theory and practise classes in one of the certified maritime schools.
WHAT DO I NEED TO GET CERTIFIED AFTER THE SAILWEEK ACADEMY?
You can get certified for skipper before or after the Academy. Some of the candidates even do the theory classes right before or after the 2nd week of the Beginner course. If you are interested in getting the licence please contact us by email. We have a special discount for our candidates in Maritime Education and training centre ADRIA LIBAR. Theory courses are held in Split, Šibenik, Zadar or Zagreb during the year.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET CERTIFIED?
  • Theory course Maritime Education and training centre ADRIA LIBAR: 1645 HRK (220 EUR)
  • Accommodation and transfers during the theory course time
  • Medical evidence for skipper licence (not older than 6 months) 500 HRK (70 EUR)
  • Test Croatian Maritime authorities:
    • Croatian citizens: 540 HRK (70 EUR)
    • Foreign citizens: 1020 HRK (140 EUR)
  • Test tax: 35 HRK (5 EUR)
IS THE ACCOMODATION INCLUDED DURING THE THEORY COURSES?
No. Candidates have to find their own accommodation during the theory courses. ( 2-3 days)

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SailWeek Academy is the part of SailWeek Ltd. whose registered office is located at 2nd Floor, Nucleus House, 2 Lower Mortlake Road, Richmond TW9 2JA, United Kingdom.
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