Since 2001 Julian Mead has been running Portugal Sail & Power, an RYA Training Centre, in the Algarve. For the first 10 years the operation was based in Vilamoura using sailing yachts. In 2011 the move was made to Albufeira and for the next 8 years the operation expanded to include tuition for both motor and sail boats.
This year having formed a close association with the highly successful charter company Timeless Moments who are based in Vilamoura, the training centre has returned to the prestigious Vilamoura Marina. To fully, and further, expand the RYA Training Centre into a Centre of Excellence, Julian has teamed up with Dave Masters and Paulo Aveleira. Dave is an instructor for VHF Radio, First Aid and powerboats, Paulo adds breadth to the centre as an instructor for Motor, Sail and powerboats as well as being a shorebased instructor for theory and VHF courses.
In order to deliver this wide range of courses it was essential for Portugal Sail & Power to have a prestigious shorebased facility. On Friday, 7th June, the new classroom and office based in the Edificio Vilamarina was officially opened by the Director of Vilamoura Marina, Isolete Correia. The team would like to thank her for the time spent with them and the encouragement given.
In April 2019 the Royal Yachting Association launched their Active Marina Programme, the Training Centre will continue to promote the wonderful facilities that are available in the Marina de Vilamoura to boat owners and visiting yachtsmen and women, further cementing the relationship with the Marina.
All types of RYA courses and training are now available through Portugal Sail and Power and they can be contacted through their website at www.portugalsailandpower.com, by phone on either +351 911 813 666 or +44 7877 864 208 or through Facebook.