About the Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
Past
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has been around in one guise or another for over 130 years. Originally founded as the Yacht Racing Association (YRA) in 1875, it formally changed its name to the RYA in 1953. Its original objective was the standardisation of rules governing the measurement of racing yachts, to enable competition between boats of different classes.
During its long history, it has extended its remit and incorporated a number of other independent yachting associations. In 1967, it set up a committee to oversee its training activities, and within a year, over 72 schools had applied for RYA recognition. The RYA’s credibility was further enhanced a year later, when the armed forces adopted their training scheme. The Yachtmaster Qualifications Panel, the independent body tasked with ensuring stringent and objective examinations for yachting schools, was formed in 1971.
Present
The RYA is now the UK’s national association for all forms of recreational and competitive boating. It is involved in the coordination of competitions and the protection of interests for all aspects of sailing, motor cruising, sports boats, windsurfing, inland boating, powerboat racing and personal water craft.
Accreditation
As one of the world’s most respected sailing associations, it is well placed to provide accreditation to sailing schools that wish to employ the highest of standards.
The RYA provides training schools with a syllabus for courses, so that they may then develop courses that they feel best meet the needs of their students. The syllabuses, where applicable, tie in closely with examinations required to achieve RYA certification. At Allabroad, we feel that we have developed some of the best courses available, and the excellent pass rate of our students backs this up.
