As Academy Sailing looks towards the 2024 sailing season, there's both a sense of excitement and gratitude in the air. Reflecting on their fantastic first season, Kathryn and Andy are filled with appreciation for the wonderful experiences shared with their amazing customers. Andy talks about what it has been like in 2023.
The Journey
Establishing our new sailing school this year was a labour of love, filled with challenges, achievements, and unforgettable moments. From finding our much loved boat, Dream Odyssey, to gaining approval from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), every step has been a testament to our commitment and passion for sailing.
Our journey began with a vision - to create a sailing school that combined expert instruction with unforgettable experiences. The hard work involved in setting up the school was immense but deeply rewarding. We poured our hearts and souls into every detail, from planning courses to getting the creature comforts right, ensuring that we would offer the best we could.
Discovering Dream Odyssey & Achieving RYA Approval
A significant milestone in our journey was finding Dream Odyssey, our beautiful yacht that's now the heart of our school. Searching for the perfect boat was an adventure in itself. We sought a boat that was not just seaworthy but also had the comfort to be the ideal learning environment for our customers. When we found Dream Odyssey, we knew she was the one.
Preparing Dream Odyssey for our customers was a labour of love as well. We meticulously kitted her to ensure safety, comfort, and the optimal learning environment. Every adjustment and enhancement was made with our future sailors in mind, transforming her into a perfect floating classroom.
One of our proudest achievements was receiving approval from the RYA to operate as an RYA approved sailing school, which meant becoming an `RYA Recognised Training Centre'. This accreditation was a significant endorsement of our commitment to high standards in sailing education. It was an extremely rigorous process, but it affirmed our dedication to excellence in sailing instruction.
First Season
Our first season was nothing short of remarkable. Starting a new sailing school, Kathryn and I had embarked on a journey filled with learning and adventure. The response from our customers exceeded all expectations, fueling our passion and commitment to deliver the best sailing experiences. Your enthusiasm and support has been the wind in our sails! And as we prepare for next season, we're eager to build on this incredible foundation.
It's fair to say that our customers were the heart of our first season's success. From beginners taking their first tentative steps aboard to more experienced sailors seeking to refine their skills, their brilliance and eagerness to learn were inspiring. Their positive feedback and stories of personal growth have been the true measure of our success.
Over this season we've seen strangers become new friends, and friends become sailing companions. This is something we cherish and look forward to nurturing further in the upcoming season as so many have already booked to come back to spend more time with us.
Expanding Our Horizons
The upcoming season will see us exploring new destinations and offering more diverse sailing experiences - particularly as we have dedicated 4 weeks in June 2024 to take Dream Odyssey from our home base in Burnham-on-Crouch, all the way down to Devon and back. Offering `4 legs' as individual holidays for our customers where they can gain sailing experience whilst sailing to lovely places along the way is really excitng for us. It means we get to go on a summer adventure whilst experienced sailors can stretch themselves by getting involved in `skippering' the passages, and novice sailors can gain their RYA Competent Crew qualification whilst enjoying a holiday!
Conclusion
Our first season was amazing and we are so glad we decided to start Academy Sailing. It's definitely a life-style choice, to spend time on the water sharing our love for teaching and the joys of sailing. The upcoming season promises even more opportunities for these shared experiences, and we are eager to embark on this journey with our fantastic community of sailors.
As we set our sights on the upcoming sailing season, we do so with a heart full of gratitude for our customers and an unbridled enthusiasm for the adventures that lie ahead. We're not just a sailing school; we're a growing family of sea enthusiasts, and we can't wait to welcome more members into our fold. Here’s to another season of blue skies, fair winds, and unforgettable sailing experiences! Oh and Happy Christmas!
Andy & Kathryn
Comments