ISSA Instructor Training
Become a Professional Sailing Instructor with Globally Recognized Standards.
Turn your sailing experience into an internationally respected career. Our training program follows established global benchmarks, combining practical on-water instruction with essential theory in seamanship, safety, and teaching techniques. Upon completion, you will earn a certification recognized worldwide, opening opportunities to work with sailing schools, charter companies, and maritime organizations wherever your career takes you.
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ISSA Instructors
Being a sailing instructor is more than a job, it's a rewarding way to share a love of sailing. Instructors guide students as they gain skills and confidence on the water, while enjoying a close connection with nature on the sea or a scenic lake.
The role also builds a strong sense of community among students and fellow instructors. It’s a profession that imparts knowledge, forges lasting bonds, and celebrates the exhilarating world of sailing.
The role also builds a strong sense of community among students and fellow instructors. It’s a profession that imparts knowledge, forges lasting bonds, and celebrates the exhilarating world of sailing.
Have internationally recognized qualifications
These credentials meet global training and safety standards and enable instructors to teach confidently worldwide.
Get versatile skills in the demanding market
These skills enhance their professional adaptability and open opportunities in teaching, coaching, and maritime careers worldwide.
Can work in any ISSA Accredited School
Giving them access to a global network of training centers.
Gain experience and expertise to run your own school
Building the skills needed for management, instruction, and business operations.
Posses professional qualifications to get work in yachting industry
These credentials provide the credibility and skills needed to operate safely, lead crews, and excel in a competitive maritime environment.
Most Popular Instructor Courses
ISSA Instructor Training Courses
Learn the instructor course requirments and standards
Inshore Sailing Instructor
A qualified ISSA Inshore Sailing Instructor can teach Yacht Crew and Inshore Skipper courses.
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Inland Sailing Instructor
A qualified ISSA Inland Sailing Instructor can teach Yacht Crew and Inland Skipper courses.
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VHF Marine Radio Instructor
ISSA VHF Short Range Operators Instructor can teach VHF Short Range Operator Certificate course.
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Inshore Power Instructor
A qualified ISSA Inshore Power Instructor can teach Power Yacht Crew, Boat Master and Inshore Power Yacht Skipper courses.
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Inland Power Instructor
A qualified ISSA Inland Power Instructor can teach Power Yacht Crew and Inland Power Yacht Skipper courses.
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Catamaran Instructor
A qualified Catamaran Instructor can teach Yacht Crew, Inshore Skipper and Catamaran Skipper courses.
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ISSA Instructor Licenses
Teaching Scope of Pleasure Level
Advanced Power Instructor
Master of Power Yacht
Offshore Power Yacht Skipper
Inshore Power Yacht Skipper
Boat Master
Power Yacht Crew
Offshore Power Yacht Skipper
Inshore Power Yacht Skipper
Boat Master
Power Yacht Crew
Advanced Sailing Instructor
Master of Yacht
Offshore Skipper
Inshore Skipper
Yacht Crew
Offshore Skipper
Inshore Skipper
Yacht Crew
Offshore Power Instructor
Offshore Power Yacht Skipper
Inshore Power Yacht Skipper
Boat Master
Power Yacht Crew
Inshore Power Yacht Skipper
Boat Master
Power Yacht Crew
Offshore Sailing Instructor
Offshore Skipper
Inshore Skipper
Yacht Crew
Inshore Skipper
Yacht Crew
Inshore Power Instructor
Inshore Power Yacht Skipper
Boat Master
Power Yacht Crew
Boat Master
Power Yacht Crew
Catamaran Instructor
Catamaran Skipper
Inshore Skipper
Yacht Crew
Inshore Skipper
Yacht Crew
Inland Power Instructor
Inland Power Yacht Skipper
Power Yacht Crew
Power Yacht Crew
Inshore Sailing Instructor
Inshore Skipper
Yacht Crew
Yacht Crew
VHF (Short Range Certificate) Instructor
Short Range Operators Certificate
Inland Sailing Instructor
Inland Skipper
Yacht Crew
Yacht Crew
ISSA Instructor Assistant
Yacht Crew
Yacht Crew Instructor
Yacht Crew
Advanced Keelboat Instructor
Keelboat Level 1
Keelboat Level 2
Keelboat Level 3
Keelboat Crew
Keelboat Level 2
Keelboat Level 3
Keelboat Crew
Advanced Dinghy Instructor
Dinghy Level 1
Dinghy Level 2
Dinghy Level 3
Dinghy Level 2
Dinghy Level 3
Keelboat Instructor
Keelboat Level 1
Keelboat Crew
Keelboat Crew
Dinghy Instructor
Dinghy Level 1
Advanced Keelboat Junior Instructor
Keelboat Junior ≤ 16 Level 1
Keelboat Junior ≤ 16 Level 2
Keelboat Junior ≤ 16 Level 3
Keelboat Crew
Keelboat Junior ≤ 16 Level 2
Keelboat Junior ≤ 16 Level 3
Keelboat Crew
Advanced Dinghy Junior Instructor
Dinghy Junior ≤ 16 Level 1
Dinghy Junior ≤ 16 Level 2
Dinghy Junior ≤ 16 Level 3
Dinghy Junior ≤ 16 Level 2
Dinghy Junior ≤ 16 Level 3
Keelboat Junior Instructor
Keelboat Junior ≤ 16 Level 1
Keelboat Crew
Keelboat Crew
Dinghy Junior Instructor
Dinghy Junior ≤ 16 Level 1
Eligibility and Training Programme
In order to participate in the ISSA instructor training, the candidate should have skills and knowledge at the level of Offshore Skipper. Offshore Skipper is a yachtsman with experience from at least two sailing areas as well as more than average skills in boat handling and knowledge of leisure navigation, colregs and meteorology.
All of the training takes place onboard a sailing yacht. There can be a maximum of 4 candidates at a time.
Leveling Up and Aligning Candidates’ Skills
Levelling up of the candidates’ skills. In most cases instructor candidates come from very different regions with varying experience. Therefore, it is essential to start the training with levelling of the candidates’ skills. It usually takes from one to three days as needed.
Progressive Development of Teaching Skills
Development of teaching abilities. Candidates practice teaching techniques at subsequent steps of yachting education. Starting with very basic sailing classes, going through intermediary level exercises and doing more advanced classes at the end of the stage.
Transition to Independent Instruction Through Real-Class Practice
Next phase comprises of practice during real sailing classes with real students. At the start of this stage, the instructor candidates work as instructor assistants, getting transformed into self-dependent instructors with full ability to teach, assist and assess future skippers.
Examiner
The very last part refers to an exam run by an ISSA authorised examiner.
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