Londonschoolofsailing Avis 

LSS events make a good mix of fun and learning. All the skippers I've sailed with have been great and have taught me plenty of new skills.

I recently got the wonderful opportunity to partake in the RORC 600 Caribbean 2024 aboard Sidney II. This was my first RORC race, and really my first time competing at any level in a sailing event. I was nervous that I was not going to be able to keep up with the experienced crew and would let them down. The skippers, Tanya and Ruaraidh, both assured me that we were there to have a cracking good time, as well as to race as hard as we could, without taking away from anyone else's experience. Tanya and Ruaraidh work in complete harmony, and that was infectious for the rest of the crew. I felt supported and encouraged on board, and the experienced crew were a delight to learn from. I would highly recommend London School of Sailing for anyone looking to learn in a supportive environment.
We had an amazing and challenging 5 days aboard, from 0.5 knts of wind and beautiful sunsets to wet and windy squalls. We completed our race, where many other teams retired on day 3. We had some amazing times on land too, with laughter, food, music and wonderful camaraderie. I look forward to my next London School of Sailing escapades, which will be soon and frequent!

Doing the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race with London School of Sailing is quite simply one of the best things I have ever done. I whole heartedly recommend a Fastnet campaign with LSS to anyone looking for the experience of a lifetime!

It was equal parts brutal and awesome.

Constantly wet and exhausted, vomming or nauseous, bruised and beaten, I absolutely loved it. My happiest moments of the 5 days, 19 hours and 47 minutes at sea were up on the bow (my position in the crew), even with the waves crashing over my head and soaking me through seven layers.

During the race itself, and the months of training and qualifying races leading up to it, I learnt so much. I signed up wanting to be challenged, to have a key role in a team, to improve my sailing, to meet likeminded people, and to have some fun… LSS delivered on every front, by the bucket load.

Ruaraidh is an incredible skipper. Whether this is your first go at racing or you’re a seasoned pro, you will get so much from sailing with him and LSS. He is patient, calm, great fun and a brilliant teacher. Putting everyone at ease, with Ruaraidh at the helm you will feel safe, even through the most challenging conditions (just watch our recap video, which still gives me spine tingles!!).

The Fastnet is not an experience for the faint hearted, but if you are looking for a challenge that will give you sailing skills for life, build your confidence, improve your resilience, and create deep friendships, then sign yourself up! You won’t regret it.

07.57 BST Sat 14 August The Crew of the good ship Rho crossed the finish line of the Rolex Fastnet 2021. We had 833.5 nautical miles under our belt since we started the race and at least another 600 miles in qualifying races and training, but it was about so much more than the miles sailed. Under Ruaraidh's expert leadership, tuition and guidance our team grew in confidence and skills to the point that were were able to take the highs and lows of the race in our stride. With LSS you are not a passenger on the rail, everyone played an essential role in getting us to the start line, making it over the start line (in some of the punchiest start conditions for a Fastnet) and through to the finish. You will play a role in preparing the boat, deciding tactics, provisioning and looking out for each other. You will develop your skills and understanding. But most of all you will make friends you would trust with your life. Would I did it again? In a heartbeat. Would I do it with LSS? Absolutely, without question.

Booked the Ionian week as a complete beginner and now can't wait to book the next sailing trip with LSS. The whole trip was so well thought out with all abilities contributing and have a go! Great mix of people and a great mix of activities in a stunning part of the world. 100% recommend

Just got back from an excellent trip to Greece with Ruaraidh and LSS. We visited some lovely places along the way thanks to Ruaraidh’s planning! Ruaraidh was cool, calm and collected as a skipper whilst making sure everyone was having a good time. Although we were on a different boat in the group, Ruaraidh was on hand to help us with the couple of minor hiccups along the way so we didn’t get left behind!

Thanks for a great trip - would definitely recommend LSS’s cruises to anyone of any level of sailing. Having also raced with Ruaraidh as our skipper earlier in the year I’d encourage anyone wanting to get more into the racing side of things to sign up with LSS too!

Amazing week in Greece in September 2022 - 3 boats, very friendly skipper and easy to bond with crew mates. Highly recommend: Rury is second to nice to adapt the sailing route based on the weather and the mood.

I’ve just come back from a week cruising the Ionian with LSS, the fifth overseas trip I’ve done. All have been absolutely fantastic - great people, great sailing and great locations. Ruaraidh is excellent at making sure everyone from experienced sailors to sunbathers get what they want out of the week and I always come away having learnt a lot (and keen to book onto the next one ASAP). I’ve also done a number of Solent based race weekends and race training sessions and would not hesitate to recommend for anyone wanting an intensive but fun sailing experience.

I’ve just taken part in the Dartmouth regatta with Ruaraidh and LSS. What a fabulous experience. Gaining confidence with Ruaraidh’s patient guidance and opportunity to keep pushing outside my comfort zone. Will definitely be back next year.
Highly recommend sailing with LSS no matter how experienced you are.

Sailed with them doing race training and then during Cowes week. Weather provided some proper racing ,I always learn a lot and feel safe sailing with Rob and Ruaraidh

I sailed with Ruaraidh on a sigma 38 for Cowes Week 2022, really great weekend! We were a very mixed experience crew, some hadn’t sailed in a while and some new to racing. The boat was pretty competitive but there was opportunity for all crew to be actively involved and Ruaraidh’s instruction was always clear and calm even under pressure! They mention a 'no fun, no point' ethos and certainly live that in my experience. Would highly recommend.

Racing, cruising, regattas, RYA courses, socials, crossing oceans or the Solent, London School school of Sailing offers it all and at great value.
Ruaraidh and Rob make time spent on a boat fun… enthusiastic, patient, great teachers and always happy to hoist a spinnaker!
You can’t fail to have a cracking time, on or off the water and come home ready to book the next trip.
“So much to do.. so little time..”
What’s next?!

The stakes were high: two beginners joining a crew of experienced sailors for the Cowes Regatta. What could possibly go wrong? Well, nothing (almost)! We were welcomed with warmth, learned loads, had a fantastic time racing and the après-race was also great. Ruth and Ruaraidh were such brilliant hosts, teachers, companions, we couldn’t have asked for more. And the rest of the crew were also friendly, welcoming and happy to share their knowledge with us novices. Can’t wait to start the course in just over a week.

I took the RYA Day Skipper Theory course during the lockdown and it was the best time and money investment. It was organised really well considering we had to study through Zoom, which was actually very convenient and exceeded all my expectations regarding remote learning. Our instruction, Jimbo, was simply the best - very knowledgable, patient and fun! Highly recommended.

Completed a wonderful week in early October in the Solent with Ruaraidh, completing my Day Skipper along with my wife and son who undertook their competent crew. Ruraraidh is a great teacher (and brilliant sailor) who was thorough, yet relaxed and patient as the three of us had quite different abilities and sailing experiences. At a time when undertaking any such activities has been made difficult with the coronavirus restrictions it was great to get out on the water to enjoy ourselves, to learn and to complete these courses. I hope to be sailing with Ruaraidh again before too long to build up my experience and consolidate all that I learnt. Thanks for such a productive, enjoyable and great week.

Just completed RYA Day Skipper practical course with LSS/Equinox in the Solent. Our instructor (Rob) is an expert and highly experienced yachtsman and mine of information. Great at encouraging and constructively challenging us to take responsibility for all the decisions a skipper has to make - while still providing expert backup where needed. It was a busy week packed with learning and practice, and a fantastic experience.

Fabulous week with Ruaraidh and three other very able jolly seaman completing our RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course. So pleased to have picked LSS/Equinox, Ruaraidh’s relaxed approach to instruction and allowing all of us to have input in proceedings and destinations was so refreshing and would thoroughly recommend to anyone looking to sharpen up their skills. If I get the time, I will definitely be back on Rho again. Perhaps Round The Island 🤞🏻.
Thanks again Ruaraidh and all the best for the remainder of the season

Just completed an epic week in the solent doing the RYA Coastal Skipper Course with Ruaraidh. This is the second course I have done with Equinox/LSS and will definitely be going back again. The knowledge of the instructors and quality of teaching is really excellent. The format of their courses is well thought out but flexible so the crew can have an input to the itinerary. It never feels like you are being drilled through a syllabus but you can be sure you will learn everything you need, and thoroughly. Keep up the great work guys. Can't wait to get out on the water with you again!

I would definitely recommend a sailing experience day with Alex. I was very impressed with the day. Alex was great fun to be around and was excellent at explaining how to sail. He was happy to plan the day around our speed and showed genuine empathy when one of our party was sea sick. I loved the fact that he made such an effort to celebrate the fact it was my birthday and took the time to learn and use our names on a regular basis.

The LSS offer high quality sailing related services. I’ve been on sailing holidays with them for the past two years and took the opportunity to study for the RYA Day Skipper Theory qualification remotely during lockdown. The instructor was incredibly knowledgeable and taught at a level that catered for the wide ranging sailing experience of the people studying the course.
I can’t rate them highly enough. A great company to sail with.