Sailing courses for adults
Our courses are also open to non-members of the Club.
The Club offers a range of offshore sailing courses tailored to different levels of experience, held on a 19-meter sailing yacht, with a duration ranging from 3 to 7 days.
The aim of the course is to provide participants with the fundamental skills of offshore sailing, including basic sail handling, points of sail, and essential manoeuvres. By the end of the program, participants will be able to actively contribute on board, understand basic navigation dynamics, and safely manage a sailing boat in protected coastal waters.
It will take place over a weekend: each morning we depart from the Port of Genoa and return in the late afternoon. Overnight stays will be on board. The course follows the FIV basic training program, covering points of sail and fundamental sailing manoeuvres. The course will run with a minimum of 6 participants and a maximum of 8.
Participants must hold a valid FIV membership for the current year, including a valid medical certificate. They are also required to bring appropriate clothing for the expected weather conditions, personal hygiene items, and—if staying overnight on board—a pillowcase and a sleeping bag.
For those approaching offshore sailing for the first time or wishing to return to the sport after a long period of inactivity.
The course aims to consolidate and further develop participants’ sailing experience in offshore conditions, enhancing their ability to handle the boat independently, plan routes according to weather conditions, and manage life on board during offshore passages. The program focuses on improving safety, awareness, and crew teamwork during multi-day sailing voyages.
The course is structured as a multi-day offshore sailing experience. Participants gather on Thursday evening for boarding and accommodation on the Grampus C&C 61’. After an initial briefing and definition of the sailing plan, departure will take place at dawn on Friday, depending on weather conditions. Sailing is conducted in offshore waters, and the destination is chosen according to the weather forecast. Life on board is an integral part of the experience, with overnight stays at anchor, in port, or under sail. Return to Genoa is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Participants must hold a valid FIV membership for the current year, including a valid medical certificate. They are also required to bring appropriate clothing for the expected weather conditions, personal hygiene items, and—if staying overnight on board—a pillowcase and a sleeping bag.
For those who already know how to sail and wish to expand their experience and improve their skills in various manoeuvres.
The course aims to consolidate and refine participants’ skills in handling a sailing yacht in offshore conditions, including challenging weather. By the end of the program, participants will be able to manage the boat independently, optimize sail trim, plan passages, and handle onboard operations and safety situations with greater awareness and effectiveness.
The course takes place onboard the Grampus C&C 61’ during offshore sailing. The destination is selected according to weather conditions to ensure a realistic and varied training experience. The program combines practical and theoretical activities at sea, focusing on sail trim, advanced navigation, meteorology, and safety procedures. The experience is intensive and hands-on, with shared onboard life among participants, navigation takes place at night. The course runs with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 participants.
Participants must hold a valid FIV membership for the current year, including a valid medical certificate. They are also required to bring appropriate clothing for the expected weather conditions, personal hygiene items, and—if staying overnight on board—a pillowcase and a sleeping bag.
The course is intended for sailors who already have solid sailing experience and wish to improve their autonomy, technique, and ability to manage a yacht in offshore conditions.
Paolo Vianson
Paolo Vianson is a professional in the yachting sector, active in education and training related to navigation. He collaborates with organizations such as Yacht Club Italiano, where he is primarily responsible for coordinating our offshore sailing and boating licence courses, overseeing the development of training programmes and the organisation of both theoretical and practical activities.
Giuseppe Damante
Giuseppe Damante, born in Syracuse in 1976 and father of two daughters, moved to Genoa in 1998. A sailing instructor with the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV) since 1996, he mainly raced Laser class boats in his youth, achieving notable results also at international level. He has taken part in numerous offshore regattas throughout the Mediterranean, including as a crew member in the 1995 Giro d’Italia a Vela, further developing his experience. He has worked as a coach for several sailing clubs across Italy, qualifying crews for World Championships first in the 420 class and later in the ILCA class. In addition to holding an unlimited offshore sailing licence, he is a Level II Federal Instructor for both dinghies and offshore sailing. Since 2024, he has been part of the FIV First Zone Instructor Training team, as well as the national instructor training programme of the Italian Naval League, and serves as an examiner for the practical section of boating licences. In 2025, he joined the Yacht Club Italiano staff as an instructor for offshore sailing courses and was appointed skipper of the flagship vessel Grampus, on which he runs courses of all levels, with a particular focus on Cruise College programmes for teenage sailors.
Dedicated pathways to experience the sea at the forefront, developing nautical skills and a strong professional maritime culture.
