How to navigate the Digital First update to the RYA Day Skipper course
by Savvy Navvy 28 Nov 2024 04:00 PST
How to navigate the Digital First update to the RYA Day Skipper course © Ardent Training
Ardent Training, a leading RYA online training school, looks at teaching 'Digital First' navigation to boaters across the UK and how this makes boating more accessible for the future.
The world of sailing has long been steeped in tradition, from the tools we use to the way we learn. But even the most time-honoured practices evolve. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is embracing these changes in modern navigation by updating its courses with a new Digital First approach. Ultimately, the syllabus actually sees little change, as the core concepts of navigating with the wind, tide, and charts are not changing. However, the tools now available for navigating have changed remarkably.
The Digital First approach is designed to make navigation quicker, more accessible, and more relevant to how we navigate on the water in today's world, using our chartplotters and apps to support our navigation.
What Digital First means for the RYA scheme
The RYA's Digital First approach isn't about replacing traditional navigation methods, it's about enhancing them and acknowledging that apps like Savvy Navvy are the primary means of navigation used by most recreational sailors.
This Digital First change to the RYA Yachtmaster scheme was sparked by the announcement from the UK Hydrographic Office's (UKHO) that they will phase-out the printing of paper charts.
The Digital First update promotes good and informed use of such apps, and how they integrate with official navigational practices. These tools haven't previously had much of a place in RYA training until now. However, paper charts, hand-bearing compasses, and the navigation techniques used remain as critical as ever, particularly when it comes to cross-checking our digital information.
The primary goal of Digital First is to equip sailors with a comprehensive approach to navigation by combining electronic and traditional tools. While digital devices allow for swift route planning and real-time data, to use these tools safely we should also understand exactly what they are doing for us, and what their limitations are.
Should we trust every app blindly? The Digital First approach teaches skippers to see beyond the pretty picture on the screen, to be able to determine the reliability of that information, and make informed decisions about when and where it will be used.
How Ardent Training is adapting to this new syllabus
Ardent Training are committed to giving their students the highest quality training in navigation. This approach presents an exciting opportunity, allowing them to further tailor their courses, to reflect what tools and practices are being used on the water in today's world. Their RYA Day Skipper Theory course has been updated in line with the digital first approach, integrating more everyday electronic aids, such as key navigation apps like Savvy Navvy.
This integration allows students to gain familiarity with the tools they'll use when out on the water while reinforcing the importance of using them in a robust manner.
In practice, this means Day Skipper students will learn to plot courses both digitally and on paper, utilise digital tidal curves and understand source data. Designed to teach students the fundamentals of navigation, whilst utilising the technology that is available today.
The goal is to ensure that Day Skipper students feel prepared to navigate using all available means - whether they're finding tidal information on an app or assessing a route using a paper chart. By integrating these tools, Ardent Training aims to provide a learning experience that embraces innovation, making it relevant to everyone on the water today.
Savvy Navvy: The modern navigator's companion
The updated Day Skipper course features Savvy Navvy, a navigation app designed with today's sailor in mind. Savvy Navvy provides instant information for route planning, tides, real-time weather data and more, all in one place.
Ardent include Savvy Navvy as it is dynamic, forward-thinking and as a business they are really driving innovation in this digital navigation industry.
Savvy Navvy is an ideal way to practise navigation in real-world scenarios. It is a great way to bring almost every aspect of passage planning and navigation into just one app. Savvy Navvy is also continuing to innovate through adding new features to their platform, benefitting boaters.
Ardent Training's new Day Skipper course teaches students how to use these digital tools and how to validate their accuracy through multiple sources, fostering a comprehensive approach to navigation.
Ardent Training is a provider of RYA theory courses through a bespoke online platform, with full video content, instant instructor support Ardent Training has successfully brought the benefits of face-to-face learning to the convenience of online training. Find out more at ardent-training.com
To find out more about Savvy Navvy visit www.savvy-navvy.com