Sail Squad

We have just completed our Competent Crew course with Sail Squad and can highly recommend the whole experience. Martin and Sara were really helpful and friendly and the whole booking process was seamless, but the biggest shout-out has to go to our instructor Ella who was absolutely fantastic. Ella's knowledge and skills are super impressive and she was such a fantastic teacher, especially as we had both comp crew and day skipper students at different stages of their courses over our two weekends. Ella ensured all parts of the syllabus were taught at the appropriate times, and explained everything clearly, ensuring that everyone understood and put their new knowledge into practice. She was also really friendly and put everyone at ease despite differing levels of sailing ability. Would 100% recommend.
Apr 25th, 2023

I found the instructor style a bit too intense for a beginner course and I felt a lot of the fun of sailing was lost. A very passionate instructor but too intense for me.
Apr 17th, 2023

I have just returned home from an excellent sailing week with Sail Squad - my wife and I along with our two kids (8 and 10) have had the most fantastic introduction to yacht sailing picking up comp crew and start yachting tickets. The equipment and boat was all well maintained and Ella our instructor for the week has been phenomenal, providing excellent training for all four of us. Ella guided all four of us through the syllabus and beyond, tailoring all the teaching to each of us. Ella was excellent with the kids and our youngest who was initially nervous is now excited to go to the helm. I am looking forward to coming back in a few weeks to work towards my day skipper and will be booking more family training soon. I highly recommend Sail Squad for training, excellent experience all round.
Apr 13th, 2023

I've recently passed my Day Skipper qualification with Sail Squad having previously passed Competent Crew earlier in the year. These guys are fantastic. I've been tutored by different instructors each time and they are all extremely knowledgeable and phenomenally talented sailors. There's a nice balance of practical skills/drill weaved in with enjoying a nice time sailing and enjoying the Solent. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to get into sailing or more experienced sailors looking to build on key skills.
Aug 20th, 2022

I can highly recommend 'Sail Squad' in Port Hamble Marina for sailing training and courses and will be booking with them again in 2023 and beyond. I spent a week with them on a skills milebuilder course and a boat handling weekend in early Autumn 2022, and after enjoying these courses I booked to return with my husband and two teenagers a few weeks later, so they could get their 'Start Yachting' qualifications. Again, we had a great experience with 'Sail Squad' and we will be back again in 2023 for them to complete their Competent Crew courses. Before I knew of 'Sail Squad', I used two other companies in 2022 to gain my Comp Crew & Day Skipper qualifications and went on other milebuilding trips, in addition, I have had phone and email correspondence with lots of other companies and so I feel well placed to be able to comment on 'Sail Squad' and recommend them. Their administration and customer service, managed by Sara, one of the owners of the company, is excellent and she is friendly, helpful and always responds quickly to emails and calls. She goes out of her way to fit you in and find work arounds to help you get the best experience. Their yachts are in great condition and are very well maintained (I understand that they have just bought a much larger yacht to go on longer milebuilding trips, so I will definitely be booking to go on one of those next year!). Finally, a special mention needs to go to the exceptional teaching by Oscar. Of all the sailing skippers and teachers I have had, he is by far the best, most caring and most dedicated to helping you suceed and he has a lovely calm manner and great sense of humour. I am taking my teenagers back to him in 2023 because I don't trust anyone else to train them as well as he will, plus, they will have fun doing it! I have heard that their other teachers are also excellent. I highly recommend Sail Squad!
Dec 16th, 2022