Instructor Training & Crossover Seminar — Autumn 2026
IYSA is pleased to announce the Instructor Training and Crossover Seminar for sailing yacht skipper instructors, scheduled for October 17–24, 2026 in Fethiye, Turkey. The course will be conducted aboard a sailing yacht in the sheltered waters of the Fethiye Gulf — one of Turkey's premier cruising grounds.
The seminar is designed for experienced yachtsmen who wish to become certified IYSA Bareboat Skipper Sail Instructors, as well as for active or inactive instructors from other recognised yachting associations (RYA, IYT, ASA, etc.) seeking to complete the IYSA crossover programme. Seminar duration ranges from 3 to 7 days depending on the candidate's background, qualifications and the chosen track.
Apply for the Seminar
What the Seminar Covers
The seminar combines theoretical classroom sessions and intensive practical on-board training in the coastal waters around Fethiye, covering all aspects of the IYSA instructor qualification for sailing yachts:
- IYSA methodology & teaching techniques — structured lesson planning, student evaluation, briefing and debriefing procedures
- Practical on-water instruction — supervised teaching sessions aboard a sailing yacht, including sail handling, manoeuvring under sail and engine, and berthing drills
- Seamanship & safety — MOB recovery procedures, COLREGS, coastal pilotage, passage planning and weather assessment
- Certification assessment — written examination and practical skills assessment
- Crossover track — an adapted programme for experienced instructors from other associations, with individual assessment of prior competencies
Seminar Fees
| Track | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Full Instructor Training Course | 5 – 7 days | € 1,200 |
| Crossover Programme | 3 – 7 days | € 750 |
All certification fees and IYSA registration charges are included in the price.
- Full instructor training programme
- IYSA certification and registration fees
- Accommodation on board the training yacht in a shared twin cabin
- 5-year active instructor status with no membership dues
- Boat fund (provisioning, fuel, marina fees — shared among crew)
- Transfers to/from Fethiye (arranged independently)
- Travel insurance
Instructor Status & Ongoing Costs
Upon successful completion of the course, each newly certified instructor receives an active teaching status valid for 5 years — with no annual membership fees, no recurring subscriptions and no hidden charges. The only ongoing cost is the standard IYSA registration fee for each cadet you train and certify during your courses.
This means you can begin operating independently straight away: run your own training courses, certify your own cadets, and build your own school — all under the internationally recognised IYSA flag.
Vladimir Polyakov
Vladimir Polyakov is an IYSA Instructor Trainer (IBBS-0017) and Instructor Trainer of Trainers (ITBBS-007) with over 8,200 nautical miles of logged sea time across Turkey, Croatia, Cyprus and Thailand. He holds the Yachtmaster Ocean qualification and has personally trained more than 87 cadets and 6 instructors under the IYSA programme.
Who Can Apply
| Track | Minimum Qualification | Sea Time | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instructor Training | IYSA Yachtmaster Offshore Sail (BBS as an exception) or equivalent | Min. 1,500 NM logged | Required |
| Crossover Programme | Active or inactive instructor certificate from a recognised yachting association (RYA, IYT, ASA, etc.) | Min. 2,000 NM logged | Required |
Detailed requirements can be discussed individually upon receipt of your application. Candidates who do not yet meet all criteria are encouraged to apply — eligibility can be assessed on a case-by-case basis.