Flying Fish Sailing

What Flying Fish Sailing does

Flying Fish Sailing (legally Flying Fish Australia Pty Ltd) is an Australian sailing and watersports training operator headquartered at Middle Harbour Yacht Club in Mosman, NSW, with a secondary training presence in the Whitsundays. Founded in 2001 but tracing its roots to UK and European sailing schools in the early 1990s, the company is an Approved Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training Centre and an Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) Registered Training Organisation (RTO No 46416), authorized to deliver RYA, RYA/MCA, and AMSA certifications ranging from beginner taster sessions through Yachtmaster Ocean.

The company's core product portfolio is structured around two ladders: a professional Yachtmaster pathway (Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore, and Ocean Fast Tracks, plus the Day Skipper to Yachtmaster Fast Track) priced from A$14,990 to A$28,990, and a recreational and instructor pathway covering RYA/AS Dinghy Sailing Levels 1–2, intermediate and racing modules, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), powerboating, and the RYA Powerboat Level 2 and AMSA Coxswain Grade 3 certifications. Supporting offerings include watersports equipment hire (RS Zest, Laser Bahia, windsurfers, SUPs, Highfield Patrol RIBs), yacht charter on Sydney Harbour for corporate events and New Year's Eve, racing and adventure passages including the Sydney to Hobart, and Manly-based student accommodation for multi-week programs. Behind the scenes, operations run on Arlo for bookings, Learning Pool as LMS, and RYA Interactive for certification management.

The business model is direct-to-consumer premium services, with customers discovering and booking courses through the company website, organic social, and word-of-mouth. Discovery is augmented by named instructor testimonials, 5-star Google and Facebook ratings, and a stated 90%+ Yachtmaster first-attempt pass rate. Revenue streams are predominantly one-time course fees (US-style recreational at A$245–A$1,000 and premium professional at A$14,990–A$28,990), supplemented by equipment hire unit pricing and yacht charter income. The company serves three primary customer segments: recreational sailors and watersports enthusiasts, aspiring professional sailors pursuing career credentials, and gap year / career break students (including international visitors) seeking globally portable qualifications. At approximately 10 employees and 2,000+ students annually, the business is a small, founder-operated, privately held entity with no disclosed institutional investment.

Name

Flying Fish Sailing

Legal name

Flying Fish Australia Pty Ltd

Website

https://flyingfishsailing.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Flying Fish Sailing is an Australian RYA-approved training centre delivering RYA, RYA/MCA, and AMSA sailing and watersports certifications from Sydney Harbour and the Whitsundays, serving recreational sailors, aspiring professional crew, and gap year students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sailing Education & Training

NAICS

Marinas (713930)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surf, Kitesurf & Wind Sports Adventures (THAJABAK), Bareboat Yacht Charters (Self-Skippered) (THAEAEAB)

Keywords

• Sailing education
• RYA certification
• Yachtmaster training
• Watersports instruction
• Boat licence courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Sailing Courses: Revenue from RYA-certified sailing courses ranging from beginner taster experiences to professional Yachtmaster qualifications. Course durations span from single-day experiences to 16-week professional programs. Pricing varies by course intensity, duration, and certification level achieved.
2. Gap Year Programs: Structured multi-week programs (8-16 weeks) combining multiple sailing and watersports qualifications for international students and gap year travelers, commanding premium pricing (A$9,590-A$28,990).
3. Equipment Hire: Hourly and daily rental of sailing dinghies (RS Zest, Laser Bahia), SUPs, windsurfers, and Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) ranging from A$25-1,095 depending on equipment type and duration.
4. Yacht Charter: Charter of training yachts on Sydney Harbour for corporate events, private groups, and special occasions including New Year's Eve celebrations.
5. Powerboat and Licence Courses: NSW boat licence training and AMSA Coxswain qualification courses for commercial boating certification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Flying Fish Sailing is an RYA-approved training school that sells sailing and watersports education courses on Sydney Harbour, ranging from beginner taster sessions to professional RYA Yachtmaster certifications. The company also sells equipment hire (dinghies, SUPs, windsurfers, RIBs), yacht charter services, and structured gap year programs combining multiple internationally recognised qualifications for aspiring professional sailors.

Product overview

Flying Fish Sailing operates as a multi-product sailing and watersports training organisation offering internationally recognised professional and recreational qualifications. The core portfolio centres on RYA-certified Yachtmaster training programmes (Offshore Fast Track, Ocean Fast Track, Coastal Fast Track, and Day Skipper to Yachtmaster pathways) for aspiring professional sailors, supplemented by combined Yachtmaster/Dinghy Sailing Instructor Fast Track programmes for gap-year and career-change students. Recreational offerings include Learn to Sail courses, Dinghy Sailing programmes (Levels 1-2, intermediate, instructor training), Windsurfing courses, Stand-Up Paddleboarding instruction, and Powerboating certifications. Supporting products include Marine First Aid, ACMA Marine Radio License, AMSA Coxswain Grade 3 certification, and RYA Powerboat Level 2. Equipment hire services provide sailing dinghies, windsurfers, SUP boards, and Rigid Inflatable Boats. The company also offers yacht charter services on Sydney Harbour and adventure sailing experiences including Sydney to Hobart races. All training is conducted from Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Sydney, with accommodation packages available in Manly.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Yachtmaster Offshore Fast Track A 12-week intensive professional sailing program leading to the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence and AMSA Sailing Master Offshore certification, including approximately 2,500 sea miles, live-aboard passages, and shore-based theory, targeted at aspiring professional sailors seeking employment in the maritime industry.
• Day Skipper to Yachtmaster Fast Track A 9-week accelerated program for confident sailors with RYA Day Skipper or equivalent experience, progressing to Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence and AMSA Sailing Master Offshore certification, including approximately 2,200 sea miles.
• Yachtmaster / Dinghy Sailing Instructor Fast Track A 12-week combined program qualifying participants as both an RYA Dinghy Sailing Instructor and RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore Certificate of Competence holder, designed for gap-year adventurers and career changers seeking global employment in sailing instruction.
• Yachtmaster Ocean Fast Track A 16-week professional program combining skipper training, celestial navigation, and real offshore passage-making, leading to the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence and the qualifying passage for the oral examination.
• Yachtmaster Coastal Fast Track A 9-week program taking participants from novice to RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence, with training on Sydney Harbour under expert instructors.
• Professional Yachtmaster / Cruising Instructor Internship A two-year work-study program for seasoned watersports instructors, culminating in Yachtmaster Offshore and RYA Cruising Instructor certifications, offering a cost-effective route to professional qualifications.
• RYA Learn to Sail Courses RYA-approved beginner to advanced yacht sailing courses covering taster experiences, Learn to Sail, Day Skipper & ICC, Coastal Skipper, and Safety, Radio & Maintenance modules, taught on Sydney Harbour for individuals seeking recreational sailing skills up to commercial skipper level.
• Dinghy Sailing Courses Australian Sailing and RYA-accredited dinghy sailing courses for all levels, from complete beginners to advanced sailors, including Level 1 Start Sailing, Level 2 Basic Skills, intermediate courses, and instructor training, taught on Middle Harbour.
• Windsurfing Courses RYA-accredited windsurfing instruction from Level 1 beginner to Level 2 improver, including land drills, on-water coaching, beach starts, harness introduction, and freestyle techniques.
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) SUP introductory lessons teaching balance, paddling techniques, and water safety, with board hire available for independent exploration of Sydney Harbour beaches and coves.
• Powerboating and Boat Licence Courses RYA Powerboat Level 2 certification, NSW Boat Licence courses, and AMSA Coxswain qualifications providing practical skills to drive powerboats safely on Sydney Harbour, with commercial endorsement options for marine tourism operators.
• AMSA Coxswain Grade 3 Three-day course providing AMSA Coxswain Grade 3 certification for operating vessels under 12 metres in Australian domestic waters, combining Marine First Aid and RYA Powerboat Level 2 training.
• ACMA Marine Radio License One-day ACMA-approved course teaching VHF, MF, and HF radio operation for distress, urgency, safety, and general calls, including GMDSS and DSC training, meeting Australian legal requirements for marine radio operators.
• Marine First Aid One-day practical first aid training meeting HLTAID011 Provide First Aid standards, designed for boat owners, watersports instructors, and yacht skippers operating in maritime environments, satisfying RYA and AMSA first aid requirements.
• Yacht Charter on Sydney Harbour Sydney Harbour yacht charter services including bareboat and skippered options, corporate sailing events, and New Year's Eve celebrations aboard modern Beneteau yachts.
• Discover Yachting Full-day sailing experience on Sydney Harbour aboard comfortable yachts, suitable for beginners learning basic sailing skills with qualified instructors, including lunch anchorage and scenic sailing past iconic landmarks.
• Boat and Board Hire Equipment rental service providing sailing dinghies (RS Zest, Laser Bahia), stand-up paddleboards, windsurfers, and Rigid Inflatable Boats (Highfield Patrol 500/600) for independent water sports activities at Middle Harbour.
• Racing & Adventure Sailing Offshore passages, blue-water adventures, and participation in iconic races including Sydney to Hobart, offering real-world sailing experience in varied conditions for sailors seeking adventure beyond the harbour.
• Gap Year Sailing Programmes Structured gap year programs combining internationally recognised sailing qualifications (Yachtmaster, Dinghy Sailing Instructor, Windsurfing Instructor) with adventure experiences in Sydney, designed for career development or seasonal employment, priced A$9,590 to A$28,990.
• Dinghy Sailing Instructor Course Five-day intensive course leading to RYA Dinghy Instructor qualification, combining on-water training with shore-based instruction, suitable for aspiring professional instructors and gap-year students.
• Dinghy Sailing / Windsurf Instructor Fast Track Eight-week program enabling water sports enthusiasts to achieve RYA instructor level in both dinghy sailing and windsurfing, with global employment opportunities upon completion.

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, primary and supporting.

• Royal Yachting Association (RYA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial RYA-approved training centre authorized to deliver the full range of RYA sailing courses and certifications. The RYA framework provides internationally recognized standards from Competent Crew through Yachtmaster levels, with RYA/MCA certification recognized in over 60 countries worldwide.
• Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthorized training provider for AMSA commercial maritime certifications including Sailing Master Offshore NC and Coxswain Grade 3. These qualifications are mandatory for commercial sailing operations in Australian waters.
• Australian SailingprimaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated training provider connected with the national sailing governing body. RYA instructor qualifications convert to Australian Sailing certificates, enabling graduates to work at Australian Sailing-accredited schools.
• Middle Harbour Yacht ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome training base at the club which is also home to the Australian Olympic Sailing Team. Provides waterfront classroom facilities, docking, and direct access to Sydney Harbour training waters.
• Learning Pool LMSsupportingTechnology or IntegrationUK-based Learning Management System used for RYA training delivery, student records, and certification management. Personal data including name, email, date of birth, and address may be shared with Learning Pool for course delivery and student management purposes.
• RYA InteractivesupportingTechnology or IntegrationOfficial RYA digital platform for certification, training records, and student management. Personal data is shared with RYA Interactive for course certification and qualification tracking.
• MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK maritime authority co-issuing RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence. The RYA/MCA joint certification scheme provides internationally recognized professional sailing qualifications.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Broad incumbents

• Sunsail: Global sailing holiday and yacht charter company with RYA training school accreditation. Comparable as a charter-plus-training operator but operates at significantly larger scale and broader international footprint than Flying Fish's training-only model.
• The Moorings: Global bareboat yacht charter and flotilla holiday provider with training offerings. Comparable as a charter operator with overlapping bareboat and crew training services, though much larger and serving primarily vacation rather than career-focused customers.

Direct peers

• Stormforce Coaching: RYA training centre in the UK offering Yachtmaster, Day Skipper, and instructor courses. Comparable as a single-location RYA training specialist with multi-week fast-track programs targeting aspiring professional sailors.
• Sailing Logic: UK-based RYA training centre offering Yachtmaster fast-track programs and mile-building passages. Comparable as a focused Yachtmaster training specialist with similar fast-track and passage-making offerings.
• UKSA (UK Sailing Academy): UK-based sailing and watersports training charity offering RYA-recognized courses, gap year programs, and professional yachtmaster training. Directly comparable as a multi-program RYA training provider with similar customer segments including career changers and gap year students.
• Hamble School of Yachting: UK-based RYA-approved training centre offering Yachtmaster, Competent Crew, and instructor training programs. Directly comparable as a long-established RYA training specialist operating from a single premier sailing location with similar fast-track professional pathways.
• Nautilus Yachting: RYA training centre offering sailing courses and yacht charter services. Comparable as a multi-product sailing school combining training, charter, and bareboat experiences similar to Flying Fish's bundled offerings.
• Australian Sailing Centres: Network of Australian Sailing-affiliated training schools offering dinghy and keelboat certifications across Australia. Comparable as nationally accredited sailing training providers serving overlapping customer segments in learn-to-sail and instructor pathways.

Regional players

• Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron: Sydney-based yacht club offering sailing education and race training. Comparable as a Sydney-based sailing education provider but as a member-club structure rather than a dedicated commercial training school.
• Cruising Yacht Club of Australia: Sydney-based yacht club organising the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and offering sailing education. Comparable due to shared Sydney sailing market and overlap with Flying Fish's adventure sailing and offshore passage offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/flyingfishsailing
• Instagraminstagram.com/flying_fish_sailing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flying-fish-sail-academy

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Flying Fish Sailing