Skipper Academy 2025
This departure is fully booked. You can register for the waitlist, and we will let you know if we are able to make room for you.
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Welcome on board this year’s Skipper Academy
A kick-ass hardcore winter adventure along the Helgeland Coast from Brønnøysund to Bodø. Every year we conduct a comprehensive skipper training program for all new (and existing) crew through the program; Arctic Skipper Academy. Building trust and getting to know one another is crucial, and this training helps us build the level of expertise we aim for. The week-long program takes place in the northern regions, where, from dawn till dusk, the SeilNorge crew pushes their limits, fostering individual growth and strengthening team bonds to improve sailing skills.
You will find important information below, please read carefully.
Route and day-to-day plan
Our playground for the week is the Helgeland Coast. This part of the Norwegian coast is particularly rich with islands, reefs and rocks, and is demanding to sail and navigate, especially in the dark; perfect for Skipper Academy. The area also has a lot to offer from the innermost fjords to the outermost islands, and we’re aiming to get all the way to Træna.
Skipper Academy is about training, practicing and learning from each other through rotation of roles and constructive feedback. This way we get to know each other well, and we build a good team with a good learning culture and work community. We must also put in enough time to talk about what SeilNorge is about, what our method and culture is, and how you as crew or skippers are expected to work, sail and deliver when the time comes.
Some of the topics we will cover and practice during the week:
- Sail handling and boat training for Bavaria 50, Bavaria 44; training in procedures, establishing procedures with crew
- Leadership and the role of the skipper on board
- Coaching and the instructor role on board
- Co-skippering and this role onboard
- Team building on board
- The host and guide role on our trips
- Fleet exercise, SAR exercise, longside exercises, towing
- Crisis management and emergency situations; action patterns and procedures
- Drills; fire/smoke, MOB with and without sail, abandon vessel
- Bridge management (BRM) and communication
- Clarification of responsibilities and roles on board; general and boat-specific
- Weather and interpretation of weather, use of software and vulture files
- SeilNorge way of doing things, preparations for trips, duty routines, briefs, to-do lists, resources, checklists, app
- SeilNorge menu; cooking, tips and tricks
- Gear and engine
- Sail repair and splice new and old ropes
- Radio communication
Itinerary
Friday
Preparations and meet onboard the boats in Brønnøysund
Saturday
Start at 0800 and sail to Ylvingen
Sunday
Spending the day at Himmelblå, at Ylvingen.
Monday
Starting of at Ylvingen and sail to Vega.
Tuesday
Sail to Lovund.
Wednesday
Sail to Træna.
Thursday
Sail to Nesøya, Hestmannen and Bolga.
Friday
Sail to Bodø.
Saturday
Wrap up, cleaning, evaluation and feedback.
Sunday
Boat-work, planning and a good morning together.
Important info
Departure and arrival
This trip starts in Brønnøysund February 1st at 08.00 and ends in Bodø 9th at 15.00.
What you should know and master before Skippers Academy
- Classical paper chart navigation
- Chartplotter navigation
- Basic knots and use of ropes
- How to dock a sailboat to a pontoon, quay or mooring by sail only and by engine of course
- MOB by engine and sail
- English language:)
- Clear communication and
- How to use a winch safely and effectively
- How to heave to, reef, jybe, tack etc. in a good and safe manner
More information
More information you can find here Plan and preparations
Det er flere måter å komme seg til Brønnøysund. Tog: Ta toget sør- eller nordfra til Grong stasjon. Toget korresponderer med buss til Brønnøysund. Hurtigruten: Ta hurtigruten sør- eller nordfra til Brønnøysund. Fly: Widerøe flyr til Brønnøysund fra Trondheim eller Bodø.