A Different Way to Learn the Sea
Most commercial sailing schools offer two extremes: a passive luxury holiday or a high-stress, crowded “Meilentörn” grind. We don’t believe in either.
Real competence comes from quiet, systematic seamanship in an uncrowded environment. We limit our trips to just 3 or 4 guest cabins. No hot-bunking, no cramming, and absolutely no shouting. The week adapts entirely to your pace.
Our Coaching Philosophy: Independence, Not Anxiety
Coaching is led by Dave, an ex-RYA School Chief Instructor with an honours degree in Sports Science, who has been teaching wind sports since 1992.
Dave cut his teeth teaching in single-handed dinghies—boats that capsize the moment you make a mistake. When your student is entirely alone on the water, you have to teach them true, calm independence from day one.
He brings that exact psychology to our 41-foot yacht “All Winds”. It’s why on our casual Lake Zug evening sails, we regularly have completely nervous beginners comfortably taking the boat off the dock on their very first trip.
On this trip, mistakes are just data, never failures. We accept no one is perfect and use this as our basis for improving. .
What is a “Complete Sailor”?
We don’t just drill docking out of fear. We focus on the entire ecosystem of intelligent coastal cruising:
- Crew Psychology: How to brief and manage a crew so everyone remains calm, safe, and stress-free.
- Coastal Pilotage: Navigating island-to-island, reading local Adriatic weather, and planning smart daily itineraries.
- Sailing Competence: Developing an intuitive feel for the helm, balanced boat tracking, and precise sail trim.
- Proactive Seamanship: Making smart decisions early — so situations never become dramatic.
Cabin Comfort & Fairness
We believe comfort on a week-long trip is non-negotiable. We will never put you into a cabin with a stranger.
- Solo Travellers: You get your own private cabin sanctuary to unwind and recharge.
- Friends or Partners: If you wish to share a cabin with a friend or partner, we offer a lower-cost option for the second person.
No matter which option you choose, there is no hierarchy on board. Everyone gets the exact same high-level coaching, equal time at the helm, and premium treatment
No shouting, no crowded cabins—just a great experience on the water.
What to Expect
Sailing is inherently dictated by the elements, meaning our exact route shifts dynamically with the wind. However, a typical coaching week flows through the following daily rhythm:
- Saturday: Arrival & Crew Integration: Meet at our charter base in Marina Frapa in the afternoon. Dave will have already taken delivery of our Beneteau Oceanis 41.1, All Winds. Once onboard, we’ll run through a thorough introduction to the yacht’s layout and discuss our coastal routing options for the week. We’ll wrap up the evening with a relaxed crew meal right at the end of the dock or at anchor nearby.
- Sunday: Familiarisation & Instincts: A deliberate, low-pressure day to get your sea legs. We will run through a warm-up sail, review the boat’s essential tracking systems, and practice fundamental manoeuvres so everyone feels entirely at home on the water and in control of the helm.
- Monday to Wednesday: Active Day-Tripping: This is your time to be an active part of running the vessel. You will take turns managing the daily pilotage, tracking sail trim, navigating coastal passages, and exploring the stunning Adriatic shoreline. Expect to drop anchor in crystal-clear bays for lunch, practice Mediterranean mooring, and hunt for unforgettable coastal sunsets.
- Thursday: Flex Day: Depending on the wind patterns and how far we’ve explored, Thursday is our buffer day. We may utilise this time to put some solid, steady nautical miles under the keel, practice specific sail configurations, or adapt our positioning based on upcoming weather changes.
- Friday: The Return Passage: We enjoy a final, active coastal sail back toward our home port, refining our close-quarters handling along the way. We return to Marina Frapa in the afternoon for a final evening to celebrate the week’s progression with the crew.
- Saturday: Check-Out: Disembarkation by 08:00 AM as you head home, equipped with newfound, quiet confidence on the water.
Who This Is For (And Who It Isn’t)
Because of our low-density crew layout, this week seamlessly scales to meet you exactly where you are. We welcome complete beginners, licensed skippers, and absolutely everyone in between:
The Spectrum: Whether you are a quiet, hesitant beginner who wants to take things step-by-step without group pressure, a rusty sailor looking to regain confidence, or a B-Schein, Day or Coastal Skipper, SKS or any other certificate holder wanting to practice real-world crew management under elite supervision—you fit right in. We adapt the pacing to the individuals on board.
The “All Winds” Toolbox Philosophy
Most commercial sailing schools teach a rigid protocol. They give you a single “hammer” and tell you to use it on everything, even if you are looking at a screw.
We don’t do that. Our coaching is built on a Toolbox Concept:
- Every skill is a tool: No technique is inherently right or wrong. Instead, we look at the pros and cons of different techniques and see if they are appropriate or not for a given situation.
- Never discard a method: A technique that isn’t right for today’s calm bay might be the exact tool that saves the day when you are shorthanded or caught in heavy weather down the road.
- Situational awareness: Instead of forcing you to memorise a textbook script, we give you the critical thinking skills to evaluate the conditions, look at your options, and confidently pick the right tool for the job.
- Beyond the Week: We will help you develop these tools and give you clear indications of where and how to continue learning. But the real mastery happens after our week together—in how you apply, adapt, and refine those tools on your own future passages.
Life Onboard: Boat Life 101
Sailing is an incredible adventure, but a yacht is not a hotel. If you are new to sailing, here are a few realities of boat life to keep in mind:
- We Are a Team: This is a hands-on boat. There is no stewardess or hired crew to clean up after you. Everyone pitches in with the cooking, washing up, and keeping the boat tidy. It’s a core part of the true sailing experience and builds great camaraderie.
- Water & Power are Finite: When we are moored in a marina, you’ll have access to full shore showers and 220v power (like the wall plugs at home). But when we are out at anchor, we rely on the water and electricity we carry with us. That means quick “navy showers” onboard, only USB charging for phones, and being mindful of leaving lights on.
- The Marine Toilet (Head): Marine plumbing is a delicate ecosystem. The golden rule of sailing applies: Nothing goes into the toilet unless you have eaten or drunk it first. All toilet paper and wipes go into a bin, not the bowl. We will teach you exactly how to use it safely!
- Space is Premium: Soft duffel bags only, please! Hard suitcases cannot be stowed on a yacht. We live in close quarters, so bringing an easy-going attitude is the most important thing you can pack.
⚓ Prerequisites
A sense of adventure, a desire to be powered by the wind, and a willingness to learn.
👥 Crew Size & Cabin Privacy
The Cabin Guarantee: There are 3 dedicated guest cabins on board. Your booking secures a private double cabin entirely for yourself. We will never match you with a stranger.
Crew Size (Typically 3, Max 5): Because we limit the trip by the number of cabins, if everyone travels solo, there are only 3 guests on board. The crew size only increases if a guest explicitly chooses to bring a partner or friend to share their private cabin.
The Contrast: While standard sailing schools routinely cram 6 to 8 people into a boat this size to maximise profit, we cap this trip at a maximum of 3 booked cabins to ensure everyone has actual space, privacy, and maximum time at the helm.
💰 Cost
CHF 1,950 – Private Cabin
CHF 1250 per person – Shared Cabin (by request)
Special Offer: 20% Discount if you book and pay before April 30th 2026
- Private Cabin: (1550 CHF if booked and paid for before April 30th 2026)
- Shared Cabin: (999 CHF pp if booked and paid for before April 30th 2026) (booked and paid for together)
Includes:
- 7 nights’ accommodation on the yacht
- Charter and marina fees, cleaning, diesel, water, tourist taxes
- Outboard motor, tender
- Gennaker
- Onboard food (breakfast, lunch, some dinners)
- Personalised sailing coaching
- Signature on miles logged
Excludes:
- Travel to/from Croatia
- Meals taken ashore
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal travel and cancellation insurance
🍴 Food & Provisioning
Provisioning is prepared before your arrival. If you have preferences or allergies, please inform us well in advance.
Dietary Accommodations: We are very happy to fully accommodate vegetarian dietary preferences on board. However, due to the practical limitations of boat provisioning, compact galley space, and what is realistically available in local Croatian island markets, we unfortunately cannot accommodate strict vegan diets or highly complex dietary restrictions. If you have specific food allergies, just let us know during our short call so we can ensure we can keep you safe and well-fed.
🛡️ Insurance & Responsibility
Participants are responsible for their own travel and cancellation insurance.
By signing up, you agree to act responsibly and understand that participation is at your own risk.
Full terms and conditions are available on our website.
🌅 Why Join All Winds Adventures?
We aren’t a massive sailing school churning out certificates, and this isn’t a high-stress boot camp. We are here to bridge the gap between having a license and actually having the confidence to enjoy your holiday.
- No Crowds, No Strangers in Your Bed: Unlike standard charter schools that cram 8 people onto a boat, we cap this trip at 5 guests max, and you get a private cabin.
- Real-World Application: We don’t just sail in circles around a buoy. We do real passages, anchor in real bays, and deal with real-world marina dynamics.
- Low-Ego, High-Support Coaching: Whether you are taking the helm for the very first time or practising a Med mooring, the focus is on building muscle memory in a calm, shout-free environment.
- A True Holiday: Yes, you will learn a ton. But we also make time for a sundowner at anchor, swimming in clear water, and actually enjoying the Croatian coast.
Language: The week is run in English. However, if you are a native German speaker and worried about missing technical nuances, don’t be. I speak German and can easily translate or re-explain complex aerodynamic or structural concepts on the fly to ensure total clarity.
Insurance is the responsibility of the participant, by RSVPing “yes”, you agree to act responsibly at all times on this event and to not hold Swiss Alpine Adventure/All Winds Adventures or any person involved responsible for any injury or loss which may occur in relation to the event.
Disclaimer:
All participants take part in events or activities facilitated by Swiss Alpine Adventure/All Winds Adventures entirely at their own risk. Swiss Alpine Adventure/All Winds Adventures does not accept liability for damage to property, death or personal injury that may occur whilst taking part in activities or events organised by Swiss Alpine Adventure/All Winds Adventures. It is your responsibility to make sure your equipment is maintained and in safe working order. We reserve the right to stop you from participating with us if your equipment is badly maintained or not in safe working order. Whilst we endeavour to make sure that the information on this website pertaining to routes and trails is correct, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy.