The Horizon Group
The Horizon Group
At Horizon Sailing School, we know that great sailors are made through practice, confidence, and hands-on experience. Our Short Courses are designed for sailors who want focused, practical training without committing to a full certification programme. Whether you’re looking to sharpen a specific skill, boost your confidence at the helm, or prepare for your next charter, these flexible modules give you exactly what you need—quickly, efficiently, and with exceptional instruction.
Our Short Courses are built around the real-world skills that matter most on the water. Each session is led by our experienced American Sailing-certified instructors and tailored to the abilities of each student. You’ll learn aboard well-maintained Horizon yachts in the beautiful, protected waters of the British Virgin Islands—one of the best training grounds in the world.
Short Courses are perfect for:
New sailors wanting low-pressure, bite-sized training
Charter guests looking to refresh their skills
Boat owners wanting to improve safety and handling
Anyone who prefers targeted, practical learning over lengthy theory sessions
Learn more about mooring and anchoring techniques.
Learn more about mooring and anchoring techniques.
This course is perfect for people who have sailed before and maybe even chartered but still get nervous coming in to pick up a mooring. What do you do when you lose your boat hook and need to grab your mooring buoy? If you get to an anchorage and all the mooring balls are full, are you comfortable dropping anchor for the night? Perhaps you’ve always liked the look of anchoring stern to but you’re not sure how to line yourself up with the shore to tie a stern line. This course is designed to improve your confidence and competence in all aspects of finding a safe harbour for the night!
The confidence and skills to expand your cruising grounds!
Complete your course as part of your Private Sailing Tuition.
For sailors that haven’t been out on the water for a while this is the perfect way to ease into your charter by refreshing your skills.
For sailors that haven’t been out on the water for a while this is the perfect way to ease into your charter by refreshing your skills.
We know that it can be daunting getting back at the helm when you haven’t done it for a while. You don’t feel the need to take, or retake, any certifications but it would boost your confidence to have a guide by your side for the first day of your trip. We’ll refresh your memory on how to safely raise your sails and tack to your destination. Once in your anchorage, we’ll talk you through picking the best spot for the night as well as going through mooring ball pick ups and safe anchoring techniques. Questions for the rest of your week? No problem, we can review your itinerary in depth, as well as any unfamiliar boat systems and make sure you’re trip is off to a great start!
The confidence and skills for a stress free vacation at the helm!
This course can be personalized to any areas you would like to revisit. A few options are:
Complete your course as part of your Private Sailing Tuition
Learn the things you need to consider before doing a long day sail, plot a long passage and then execute it.
Learn the things you need to consider before doing a long day sail, plot a long passage and then execute it.
Whilst the majority of the sailing in the BVI is short island hops, if you are interested in sailing longer distances and more miles offshore, this course is a great start to the knowledge and skills required to undertake longer passages.
The skills and confidence to start planning longer day sails further from the shore.
This course can be personalized to any areas you would like to revisit. A few options are:
Complete your course as part of your Private Sailing Tuition
For those who have completed their 105 course online, put your knowledge into practice with course plotting and passage planning around the BVI.
For those who have completed their 105 course online, put your knowledge into practice with course plotting and passage planning around the BVI.
You’ve spent the time learning about theory online and in books. Now is the time to put it into practice whilst still having an instructor to guide you!
The ability to test out your newly learned knowledge at sea!
This course can be personalized to any areas you would like to revisit. A few options are:
Complete your course as part of your Private Sailing Tuition
For the experienced sailor wanting to gain certificates of competence and level up what you already know!
For the experienced sailor wanting to gain certificates of competence and level up what you already know!
This course is perfect for those of you who have prior sailing experience but have never taken any certifications. It may be that you’re now considering cruising somewhere certifications are required (like the Mediterranean) or perhaps you’re just curious what you’re been missing out on and you’d like to expand your knowledge and skills.
New skills and knowledge that you never thought of before!
This course can be personalized to your current level of competence but a few ideas are:
Complete your course as part of your Private Sailing Tuition
This immersive 2–3 day clinic focuses on the skills and teamwork required to confidently fly spinnakers, gennakers, or Code 0 sails.
This immersive 2–3 day clinic focuses on the skills and teamwork required to confidently fly spinnakers, gennakers, or Code 0 sails.
This is a 2–3 day hands-on clinic designed to build confidence and precision with spinnakers, gennakers, or Code 0 sails. Sailors will learn proper hoists, trims, gybes, and safe douses while developing crew coordination and downwind strategy. Whether you cruise or race, this course will expand your sail inventory skills and unlock new performance and versatility from your boat.
No more hesitation at the hoist. You’ll understand the systems, timing, and crew coordination required to launch and manage spinnakers, gennakers, or Code 0 sails safely and smoothly.
Complete your course as part of your Private Sailing Tuition
This is a hands-on passage clinic designed to give sailors the knowledge, skills, and confidence to safely sail between the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.
This is a hands-on passage clinic designed to give sailors the knowledge, skills, and confidence to safely sail between the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Gain real-world experience on a multi-day passage from the BVI to the USVI. Navigate customs and immigration procedures as well as exploring a new country at sea!
Confidence and competence to cross borders at sea and plan for longer passages!
Complete your course as part of your Private Sailing Tuition
Train in world-class sailing destinations like the British Virgin Islands and St. Vincent & the Grenadines, known for steady trade winds and idyllic cruising grounds.
Learn aboard immaculately maintained, fully equipped yachts from Horizon Yacht Charters’ trusted fleet.
Small groups and private options mean focused, flexible learning tailored to your goals and experience level.