Sailing jobs are abundant (even if you didn’t think so). There’s plenty of demand for those who can teach sailing. Most watersports holiday companies offer sailing as part of their programme and with that comes the demand for instructors to teach sailing.
So why not take the plunge and get involved? Even with no prior instructor experience, you can achieve your goals of working as an instructor – and more.
Where can I get a job as a sailing instructor?
Anywhere there’s water, you can find some sailing activity, giving you endless opportunities to work worldwide. Back in the UK, sailing clubs and activity centres provide dinghy tuition. But as far as getting a job in the industry goes, it’s more likely you’ll be looking at overseas operators delivering holidays. This is bread-and-butter work and the core of how to get paid to teach sailing.
Here are some of the most common places to get paid to be a sailing instructor…
Sailing jobs in Greece
Greece is a watersports holiday hotspot. The Ionian Sea in particular is noted for its sailing potential – both about dinghy sailing and yachting. Therefore there are a plenty of sailing jobs available in this part of the world. You’re quite likely to end up working in a resort in Greece as a dinghy sailing instructor.
Not only this but dinghy instructor training (via Watersports Nomad) is also done in Greece. This can be down to its reputation as the heart for jobs in the sailing industry. There are other options but in terms of accessibility, weather reliability and popularity Greece is a sailing mecca.
Sailing Jobs in Turkey
Another popular spot for teaching sailing is in Turkey. The crystal clear water and gentle to exciting winds make the coasts around Turkey perfect for sailing centres. With sailing centres, jobs follow.
Working in Turkey as a sailing instructor often comes with perks such as accommodation, meals, and the chance to immerse yourself in the local culture. Whether you’re teaching beginners in calm waters or guiding advanced sailors through thrilling coastal routes, Turkey offers a chance to travel further afield.
Other parts of the world
Whilst we talk about sailing jobs in Greece, this doesn’t mean dinghy instructor opportunities don’t exist elsewhere in the world. They do! For this reason, you’ll be free to target whatever global locations you see fit following successful qualification.
Learn more about securing a watersports instructor job
How to Go from Zero to Hero with Instructor Training
While we mention that you do not need any previous experience to become a qualified instructor, we feel the need to reiterate this because it may sound too good to be true. However, for our courses, in many ways, it’s actually better if you don’t have prior sailing knowledge.
We start from the ground up, ensuring you’ll be in a position to learn all that’s needed. There’s a certain culture surrounding watersports jobs, and you’ll need the correct mindset.
Becoming a great instructor and teaching sailing doesn’t start and end with just coaching—a raft of other skills will be needed to get a job in the industry. This is why doing an instructor training course somewhere like Vassiliki in Greece is key.
What skills am I likely to learn (other than coaching)?
Being a good sailing instructor relies on a whole bunch of different skills. While the sport is at the heart, communication plays a HUGE role. When you enroll on a dinghy sailing instructor course, you’ll be signing up for learning all this and more.
Here’s a checklist of what main skills you’ll learn when becoming a dinghy sailing instructor
- Sailing instructor techniques
- Powerboat rescue skills & first aid
- Communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem solving
- Mediation
- Risk assessment
- Negotiation
- Practical skills (maintenance and so on)
This isn’t an extensive list by any means. There’s plenty more you’ll pick up when you set off on the sailing jobs path.
What salary do sailing jobs pay?
While sailing jobs and how much you get paid depends on the level of qualification you hold, there is not one salary set in stone. However, the initial sailing jobs package you are offered from a watersports holiday employer will include many perks.
Along with your basic salary, you may also have your accommodation, travel to and from the resort, uniform, medical insurance and in some instances food (or this will be subsidised). There may be other costs covered depending on the company you work for.
If working around dinghies and watersports is a long term career, you’ll be able to get higher qualifications and move up the ladder in terms of your job role. This may include resort management for instance. The higher you go the better you get paid.
How do I get the dream sailing instructor job?
Nailing that dream dinghy sailing instructor job starts with you making the decision to enroll on a watersports instructor course in Greece. Taking that leap of faith – even without ever having gone afloat is key. Once that decision has been made, it is time to book your place.
Having completed your training course you’ll need to identify those potential sailing jobs that prick your interests and suit what you’re after. Your training provider (Watersports Nomad) will guide you through this process and prepare you for the interview.
Our students rave about how our training has helped them in their first year as an instructor. All because a successful interview will lead to a placement. In some cases, you may be able to choose where you want to work, instead of other the role being offered location specific.
We love helping our students find a role and help them travel and teach sailing at the same time. Get in contact with us today and see how we can help you.
