Welcome to Rockley Academy

Rockley Academy are specialists on the water - whether its recreational or professional we are the recognised experts.  Watersports is one of the fastest growing areas of leisure and tourism and the industry needs qualified and experienced people.  Rockley Academy provides courses and training to meet the needs of the industry and individuals with an unrivalled prospectus of internationally certified qualifications across all the major watersports diciplines. Whether it's specialist training or upskilling, a gap year or a career break, our prospectus has been designed for people wanting recognised training as well as rewarding experiences!

Rockley Academy draws together the experience and expertise of Rockley’s ubiquitous instructor courses to offer more training, more courses and more qualifications on the water. Whether you’re after a learn-to-sail course or professional instructor qualifications our prospectus has been designed for novices as well as those with previous experience. If you’re looking for something more specialised, we can also cater for individuals and groups who wish to tailor their learning and training and our dedicated team of training advisors can assist with bespoke training packages or courses – just give us a call!

Our prospectus includes options for gappers and career breakers as with relevant, recognised watersports qualications you can make the most of your time out.

We do hope you find our prospectus of interest. We look forward to welcoming you on the water soon!

Meet the Team

Liz McMaster – Principal Rockley Academy

After graduating with a degree in Maritime Leisure Management, Liz first worked as a watersports instructor, progressing her career through assistant chief instructor and finally as chief instructor during her time at a number of watersports training centres.  She joined Rockley in 2008 as Centre Senior and has excelled so much she has been appointed Principal of Rockley Academy.  Liz's wide experience, professionalism and hands on approach to running and managing a watersports centre mean that Rockley Academy candidates are assured of the highest standards at all times.

Key Watersports Qualifications:

RYA Coach Assessor

RYA Powerboat Instructor

RYA Centre Inspector

Rockley Academy Trainers & Coaches – a world beating team!

Key Watersports Qualifications:

Why Choose Rockley Academy

We love what we do and want to share our passion with you!  We are all sailing and watersports enthusiasts who have made our passion our career – so we know that you can too.  

We’ll be with you every step of the way with advice and information, from booking your place, right the way through your course.  Our Career Clinic can even help you find a job – all part of the friendly Rockley service.

It’s simple, Rockley Academy provides: 

 World-class coaching and training from outstanding instructors

 Locations specially selected for their suitability for training and for their idyllic safe settings

 Internationally recognised watersports qualifications

 Reasonable “worth every penny” prices

 Specialist, tailored programmes to suit all ages and abilities

Established Company

Rockley Academy is part of the Rockley group, established in 1976 and a UK Limited company.  We are the UK’s premier provider of watersports training and holidays with 2 UK training centres located on the shores of Poole Harbour in Dorset on England’s south coast and 3 outdoor adventure centres located on freshwater lakes in the Landes region of south west France. 

Recognised Qualifications

We have been at the forefront of teaching sailing and teaching people to teach sailing since 1976; many of today’s tried and tested schemes were pioneered at Rockley. Our unrivalled team of highly experienced and qualified instructors and coaches is not only considered the best in the UK but we are also gaining recognition around the world as an ISAF Connect to Sailing partner and ISAF recognized training provider.  Rockley’s knowledge and understanding of the watersports and marine leisure industry ensures that you train with the best!

Health and Safety

The health and safety of all our students is paramount. Over the many years that we have been operating  we have compiled strict procedures and teaching methods (in line with RYA and ISAF) for the well-being of all our students and our team. Our UK centres are licensed by AALS and recognised by the RYA and ISAF, our French centres are recognised by the DDJS and the RYA.  We have risk assessments in place and an emergency procedure plan. Your safety is our number one priority!

Training Advisors

We are at-hand with all the information you may require before you join us to ensure you have selected the most relevant and effective training from our prospectus and we also provide a unique Careers Clinic to assist with work placements and recruitment in to the marine leisure industry upon completion of your training with us.

24/7 UK Support 

When you train with us we ensure you are safe and comfortable during your time with us. We have a 24 hour UK landline for emergencies (which gets re-directed to a mobile outside office hours). 

Rockley Academy Alumni

After you train with us we don't like to lose touch. You will remain on our database as a Rockley Academy Alumni who has trained with us before and receive news and offers exclusive to Alumni. We actively encourage feedback to further develop our training programmes and Rockley Academy Alumni can join our various social media groups to exchange and post their views and give advice to prospective future students.

UK Limited Company

Rockley Academy is part of Rockley Watersports Limited which is a registered company in England and Wales No. 3722559. 

Industry Partners

	RYA
	ISAF
	BMF
	AALS
	LoTC
	IOL
	IKO
	BSA
	BCU
	BSUPA