About Allabroad
A note from Allabroad’s Principal
A passion for sailing
Allabroad was set up in 1999 by my father and his girlfriend. His retirement dream of sailing round the world in his brand new Moody 46 fell short when they were forced to stop in Gibraltar with mechanical issues. Seeing a need for good quality tuition, they registered for RYA recognition in January 2000. Special permission had to be obtained from the RYA before the yacht could be used, as back in 2000, 46 foot yachts could not be used for training. Providing training in a quarter of a million pound yacht was also unheard of. Allabroad created waves when it started, and has continued to do so ever since. We’ve been setting standards, maintaining quality, expanding our range of training courses, and have continually reinvested in shorebased facilities.
Exceeding standards
Just enough has never been good enough for Allabroad. When RYA regulations changed to specify that that all radio course were to be run with a minimum ratio of one radio to four students, Allabroad had been ahead of the game for over a year with a ratio of one radio to two students. If we feel that exceeding the standards will provide a worthwhile benefit to our students, we think it’s worth it. That’s why our Radar simulation software exceeds requirements too—it means that we can deliver courses to a high level, at all times.
It’s in the details
I joined the team along with my partner Clare in 2003, after passing my Yachtmaster with the very first Fast Track course run by Allabroad. A lot has changed since then: we have more facilities, more yachts and better training aids, but our ethos and standards remain the same. We do not, and will not ever compromise on this; our standards are the very fabric of Allabroad.
I have been Principal of Allabroad since March 2008. Amongst my duties, I ensure that exceptional training is delivered using modern teaching methods, on modern and well maintained yachts. I insist on attention to detail, which is why the shore team undertake extensive checks while preparing your yacht, and why the skipper performs a further extensive safety and systems check. From scratched chopping boards and chips in crockery to ensuring that the vessel is sea-worthy, it is our attention to detail that makes the difference throughout.
The team
As well as our training, our commitment, and our attention to detail, what truly makes Allabroad unique is its entire dedicated team. It is not one person, or a single act that has made Allabroad what it is today. It is the collective effort of all those that have been a part of it, both past and present.
My promise
My promise to you is that my team and I will give you honest advice from the start. We will deliver what we promise, and try our utmost to adapt to changing training needs and the inevitable challenges presented by yachts, oceans and weather. My personal mobile telephone number, along with the numbers for your Chief Instructor and Clare, are on every yacht. We all welcome your call at any time and will aim to rectify any issues without delay. We have invested in our own sail repair workshop and keep thousands of pound worth of spares in stock at all times, all to ensure that your enjoyment is not hampered.
And, if all that were not enough, we want your time with Allabroad to be fun.
David Punch
Principal
Why choose Allabroad?
- We’ve been established for over 10 years
- We have an excellent pass rate
- We understand that every student is unique
- We have the only dedicated shore-based facilities in Gibraltar
Many students return year after year, always eager to learn more, and further their skills. Others have heard through word-of-mouth about our ethos, experience and success.
All our students are given the attention they deserve, and are treated as individuals, and not just another statistic to add to our pass rate. The courses we offer are tidal and the climate challenging yet warm: we promise no lost days due to the weather.
Did you experience with Allabroad last week meet your expectations?
Yes definitely - first time I’d ever been away for a week on my own so quite apprehensive but people were very friendly.
Allabroad has the only dedicated shore-based facilities in Gibraltar, in which you will find well-equipped, air-conditioned classrooms. Just a few steps away is the busy marina, where we keep our modern, carefully maintained yachts.
One of Allabroad’s air-conditioned classrooms
A good skipper has always needed so much more than ability to sail and handle a boat. We ensure that the full range of skippering skills are developed throughout our courses, helping to ensure that when under your management, a yacht will be run safely and smoothly.
