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Dinghy

Under 14

Cruising Yacht

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A TALE OF SEA AND WIND

The sailing school that has been teaching and respecting the sea since 1967

HISTORY,
ORIGINS AND ROOTS

The Centro Velico Caprera was founded in 1967 by Vittorio di Sambuy, Marco Notarbartolo di Sciara e Guido Colnaghi, who had an idea, or rather a dream: to create a sailing school based on the values and traditions of the Italian Navy. It was realised thanks to the Italian Touring Club and the Lega Navale of Milan.

continued

A FUTURE
MADE OF PEOPLE

With over 2,000 volunteers, the CVC has become the largest sailing institution in Italy and a true international benchmark. It is thanks to the generations of "Caprerini" who for over 50 years have been able to pass on tradition and innovation and unite under the school's founding values.

continued

PROTECTING THE SEA
AND THE TERRITORY

Respect for the sea and the surrounding environment have been CVC's guiding principles from the outset. Over the years, this focus has been further increased with the installation of solar thermal, the elimination of all single-use plastics, ecological commandos and the commitment to the Sea.ste.ma. project.

continued

SPECIAL OFFERS

10% DISCOUNT FOR RESIDENTS OF SARDINIA

In order to encourage residents of Sardinia to take part in the courses, CVC is offering a 10% discount to all those living on our beloved island.

continued

LATEST BLOG ARTICLES

Opening enrollment 2023

January 25, 2023

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September 28, 2022

October 19 marks the start of the new journey of the Ocean Film Festival Italia, a film festival that presents a selection of the best films ...

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Caprera switches to photovoltaics

September 19, 2022

A Sorgenia-signed photovoltaic system for Centro Velico Caprera. This is the latest part of a wider collaboration ...

continued

SPECIAL OFFERS

10% DISCOUNT FOR RESIDENTS OF SARDINIA

In order to encourage residents of Sardinia to take part in the courses, CVC is offering a 10% discount to all those living on our beloved island.

continued
Centro Velico Caprera

Sea and sailing school since 1967. Dinghy and yacht cruising courses with a unique teaching method, a constantly updated fleet and some of the best wind conditions in the Mediterranean. CVC is the ideal school to both approach and improve your sailing and nautical knowledge.

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Below you will find useful information for attending our courses. If you have any questions, please call us on +39.02.86452191.

Within one month (30 days) before the start of the course:

  • upload to your CVC account a medical certificate (for at least non-competitive activity) in PDF format. Without a certificate you are not admitted to the courses
  • if this is your first course at CVC, please also upload a passport-sized photograph of yourself.
  • fill in the master data in your account: menu "account details" and menu "master data".

  1. For your luggage, use soft bags that take up little space when folded (no rigid suitcases).
    Please note that cigarettes and tobacco are not sold at the base.

    For all courses:

    • if you have already been to the CVC, bring your SAILING BOOKLET, it will be filled in by your shift manager.
    • sleeping bag (or sheet + blanket)
    • sailor's knife (*) needed on the boat for safety and on land as a cutlery (see photo on our website under "Recommended equipment" or "Frequently asked questions")
    • boat shoes and also boat boots for cabin cruiser courses
    • 2-3 linen changes
    • 2-3 changes of sports socks
    • casual short and long trousers
    • light, long-sleeved shirts and hats to avoid sunburn (light colours recommended)
    • woolen sweaters/fleece (at least 2) to cope with the cold at sea even in the summer months
    • personal hygiene items* and towels
    • battery-powered torch*
    • sunglasses
    • sailing gloves*
    • pillowcase (travelling courses only)
    • sunscreens

    In particular for courses on dinghies:

    • lightweight long or short-sleeved T-shirts made of lycra
    • spry top jacket
    • neoprene wetsuit*, essential in spring and autumn, also recommended in summer
    • water bottle or thermal bottle
    • high sailing shoes with socks (to protect your feet from the straps) or, better still, neoprene socks*. For D3, D4 and D5 courses knee pads may be useful.

    In particular for courses on cabin cruisers:

    • light or heavy sailing oilskin (*) depending on the season
    • boat shoes with suitable soles (no Superga or similar, it slips), boots in cooler months.

    * items that can be purchased at the Caprera shop

From the mainland > Olbia

By ship (arrival in Olbia or Golfo Aranci)

  • with TIRRENIA, MOBYLINES or GRIMALDI, departures from Genoa, Livorno (the evening before) or other ports and arrival in Olbia with TIRRENIA or MOBY, departures from Genoa (the evening before) or other ports and arrival in Olbia. For information on current Conventions please send an email to the secretariat.
  • with SARDINIA FERRIES with departure from Livorno (the evening before) and arrival in Golfo Aranci.

By air (arrival in Olbia)

  • AIRITALY, EASYJET or other companies, with departures from the main Italian cities

Olbia > Palau

Palau is 50 km from Olbia, these are the means of transport (journey time about 1 hour):

  • from Olbia port (maritime station), regular ARST bus service. Price about 3 Euro
  • from Olbia centre (bus station), ARST bus service with departures every hour
  • from Olbia airport:
    - bus services every hour to Olbia centre
    - TURMOTRAVEL (0789/21487) runs a direct service from Olbia airport to Palau during the summer months - see timetable: https://gruppoturmotravel.com/linee-extraurbane
    - taxi service Mario Aisoni, with whom CVC has an agreement (70 Euro for taxi up to 4 people, 90 Euro for minibus from 5 to 8 seats, 15 Euro per person per bus for groups of more than 8 people). Reservations can be made by calling 0789/709309 or online www.sardegnatours.it . Mr Aisoni will send the most suitable means of transport (taxi, minibus) depending on the number of bookings.

Palau > La Maddalena

From Palau to La Maddalena regular ferry (about 15 minutes).

La Maddalena > Caprera Base

Every Saturday in La Maddalena at 13:45, on the Lungomare via Amendola, motorboat Apollo II with a CVC sign will take the students to Caprera (meeting point 10/15 minutes before). Before 1 May and after 31 October, the motorboat will be replaced by a bus, same time and meeting point.
Telephone to be used only on Saturday of arrival in case of emergency: 347/6749599.
If you arrive late, from La Maddalena you can call a taxi (see contact details under Useful Phones - average price 23/30 Euro or more).
The Centro Velico Caprera does not organise group trips but points out the existence of a Facebook page dedicated to arrivals and departures so that participants can organise their trip better.

It is not recommended to arrive at the base bycar .

Access is only allowed up to the gate of the Precrociera dock, from there you wait for the arrival of the other students with the ferry from La Maddalena. For the duration of the course you will not have the opportunity to use it.
Cars are not allowed to circulate inside the Park, unless you have a special permit, which can be obtained directly from the Park Authority (Tel. 0789/79021).
It is advisable to leave them in Palau.

  • The base has three settlements on the south coast of the island:

    • Punta Coda where initiation courses are usually held.
    • Refinement, where other dInghy courses or cabin cruisers usually stay
    • Pre-cruise, where the cabin courses usually stay.

    There is a CVC infirmary at Punta Coda.

When disembarking from the ferry, the students of each course are assembled and assigned a place in the dormitories. You will take possession of your sleeping place, dressed appropriately for the swimming and scuba diving test (dInghy initiation courses) or for the activity on the boats. You will then be assembled in the classroom to receive instructions from the Chief of Instructors (Shift Leader) and base staff.
There are individual safety boxes in the Punta Coda Initiation settlement. You will be given the key against a deposit of 50 Euro. In the other settlements there are collective safes. The school is not liable for the theft of items left unattended. Avoid bringing valuables or excessive amounts of money.

Timetable
Life on Caprera is regulated by the following timetable:
06.30 wake up
07.00 breakfast
07.45 lesson
09.00 boarding
12.30 disembarkation
13.00 lunch
13.45 lesson
14.30 boarding
18.30 disembarkation
20.00 dinner
21.00 comments on the day
22.30 silence

Particular attention is paid to resting during the night: very intense sporting activity does not allow hours of rest to be lost.

  1. Centro Velico Caprera is a sailing and sea school, not a holiday resort: attending courses requires commitment, discipline, a spirit of adaptation and acceptance of rules of behaviour. Access to the Bases is reserved only for those who are teachers or students on an ongoing course. Cars (which must remain outside the gate) or motorbikes, dogs or other animals are not allowed. Acceptance to courses is at the sole discretion of the School.
  2. Arrivals and departures must take place strictly in accordance with the scheduled dates and times. No responsibility is assumed by the Centre with regard to journeys to and from the Caprera base.
  3. You may not leave the base, even temporarily, except for justified reasons and with the authorisation of the base chief. Visits from relatives or friends are not allowed, without special permission from the base chief.
  4. Tidiness and cleanliness, which are essential in a community life, concern not only one's own person and personal belongings, but also the dormitories, common rooms and facilities, the surroundings, and the equipment and facilities of the Base. Vital to the School is the care of the boats and materials.
  5. Sleeping after a busy and tiring day is a sacred right, so all noise in the vicinity of dormitories must stop at the hour of silence. Small radios, cassette players and the like are not welcome and their use is forbidden in the common areas. Mobile phones are also to be used discreetly, but must be switched off during communal activities.
  6. On courses with dormitory accommodation, pupils are not permitted to attend the female students' dormitories and vice versa.
  7. Safety is a dominant theme in education both at sea and on land: from the obligation to wear a life jacket to rescue and fire-fighting equipment. Everyone contributes to the work of prevention, to avoid damage to people and equipment.
  8. The Head of the base has the right to remove from the base any student who proves to be unfit for community life at the school or who is guilty of serious misconduct.
  9. The use of boats is permitted for the School's institutional activities. Any other use must be authorised by the Base Head.
  10. The rules reported above are subject to national and regional regulations for the measures, including behavioural and individual protection ones, aimed at fighting the spread of COVID-19, as well as those set out in the document "Behavioural rules for COVID-19 emergency" available for consultation. AT THIS LINKwhich is to be considered a substantial part of the present Code of Conduct.
  1. In addition to personal telephones, to get in touch with students, from May to October, you can call the Secretariat in Caprera (0789/727769). During other periods, the secretariat is located on La Maddalena (tel. 0789/738529).
    It is not allowed to use mobile phones on the boat or during lessons ashore.
    Their use is only allowed during free time.
  1. All trainees participate in common activities (distributing meals, cleaning the mess, dormitories and toilets, helping in the sail room and on the boats). This will help to acquire the mentality of common life on a boat where the whole crew contributes to the activities on board.
    For one day, in weekly courses, or two days, in fortnightly courses, each pupil is employed in the "command".

  1. The CVC shop is at Punta Coda and at the Precrociera and is open every day (including Sundays).
    Hours: Punta Coda 12.30-13.00 19.00-20.00. Precrociera: 19.00-20.00. Both are open on Saturdays from 10.30 am to 1 pm. You can pay at the shop with cash cards or credit cards.
    At the shop you can find:
    - technical sailing clothing:
    - windbreakers;
    - sailing gloves;
    - wetsuit boots;
    - neoprene wetsuits;
    - sailing trousers;
    - boots (on request).
    - sailing clothing:
    - polo shirts, jumpers;
    - shoes (on request).
    - various accessories: blankets, sleeping bags, knives. No cigarettes for sale
    You can also find:
    - drinks, biscuits, snacks, etc.;
    - personal hygiene items.
    If there are any special needs (medicines, etc.), the shop assistant can buy the necessary items in La Maddalena.

    From week 23 to week 30 no alcohol will be sold in the Punta Coda shop.

  1. Coca cola, beer, wine and other drinks can be purchased from the staff at the shop.
    Mineral water is provided free of charge at the table and on the boat. For personal use you can always top up your own water bottles from the water dispensers on the bases. 

  1. It is recommended that you bring your personal ASL card. There is an infirmary on Caprera.
    If a transfer to a hospital in La Maddalena or Olbia is necessary, the student will have to pay for the transport back to the base.

  1. The last morning of your stay in Caprera is dedicated to tidying up the boats, the sails, the dormitories and the last bureaucratic formalities, including filling in the QUESTIONNAIRE (which you will have received by email in the early hours of the morning), where you can express your satisfaction with the school's activities and suggestions for improvement: we value your opinion! After filling in the questionnaire, you will have to prepare your luggage.
    Students are brought back to La Maddalena around 12.00 noon by motorboat (before 1 May and after 31 October the motorboat will be replaced by a coach). From La Maddalena you can take a ferry to Palau and from Palau the regular bus to Olbia. We recommend booking a flight or ferry departing from Olbia from 18.00 onwards.

    Bus timetables ARST and TURMOTRAVEL - Olbia-Palau-Olbia
    ARST: consult the website http://arst.sardegna.it/orari_e_autolinee.html or call the toll-free number 800 865 042
    TURMOTRAVEL: consult the website http://www.gruppoturmotravel.com/trasportopubblico.php or call 0789/21487

  1. Segreteria Milano 02/86452191
    Segreteria Maddalena 0789/738529
    Ospedale La Maddalena 0789/737732
    Taxi Aisoni (Olbia/Palau) (also for minibuses) 0789/709309
    Taxi Todde 330/649933
    Taxi Acciaro (also for minibuses of 6) 340/1554000 328/800335
    Taxi Musa Roberto (also for minibuses) 347/3706074

    Telephone to call only on Saturday of arrival in case of emergency: 347/6749599

1 Step 1
Can you swim?

1. Have you already attended sailing courses?

2. Have you already had experience of sailing, regattas or cruises?

3. Assess your ability to perform these manoeuvres in a white-sailed boat, either at the helm or as a crew member. (These are the manoeuvres you learn in the C2 course)

Manoeuvre
Manoeuvre never performedWith uncertaintyDiscreetlyWell
a. Setting sail from a buoy
b. Taking a buoy under sail
c. Keeping a tight bowline
d. Ruddering on slack
e. Turning to the bow
f. Stopping the boat by heaving-to
g. Gybing
h. Carrying out a sailing anchorage
i. Pulling up to a sailing dock
l. Take a hand of reefing on the mainsail when sailing
m. Changing a headsail with garrocci, while sailing, even in a strong wind
n. Recovering a man overboard

4. Can you tie these nautical knots?

Node
NoWith uncertaintyDiscreetlyWith ease
a. Savoy
b. Clove Hitch
c. Square knot
d. Sheet bend
e. Bowline
f. Taut-line hitch
How frequently do you go sailing in a year?
Do you have a licence?
If, in the opinion of the School, you do not have the experience for the course you require, are you willing to attend the level most suited to your abilities?

Your personal data will be used to support your experience on this website, in particular in this form to respond to your request. At this address you can view the full privacy policy: Privacy Policy

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1 Step 1
Can you swim?
How many years have you been sailing?
How frequently do you go sailing in a year?
Do you know how to tie these knots: bowline, clove hitch, half hitch and savoy knot?
What is your technical level?
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Sailing upwind
Sailing downward
Tacking
Gybing
Stopping the boat by heaving-to
What is your advanced technical level?C4
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Reducing sail (mainsail - jib)
Picking up a mooring under sail
Leaving and landing on a beach
Sailing without a rudder
Manoeuvring in restricted waters
Navigating within a route
Assess your level of experience on a cabin cruiser
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Recovering a man overboard
Mooring in a motor harbour
Pulling up to a quay under sail
Making a sailing anchorage
Arming/ramming the spinnaker
Arming/Ramming the gennaker
Plotting a course
Taking stock of the ship
Assess your level of experience on a cabin cruiser
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Recovering a man overboard
Mooring in a motor harbour
Plotting a course
Taking stock of the ship
Evaluate your level of experience on a cabin cruiserC4
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Recovering a man overboard
Mooring in a motor harbour
Pulling up to a quay under sail
Making a sailing anchorage
Arming/ramming the spinnaker
Arming/Ramming the gennaker
Plotting a course
Taking stock of the ship
Gybing with a spinnaker
Gybing with gennaker
English mooring with spring and batticule
Consult a pilot book
Preparing a piloting
Recognising I.A.L.A. signals (day/night)
Recognising a ship's navigation lights
Check the battery charge level with a tester
Interpreting a METEOMAR bulletin
Use a VHF radio with proper calling procedures
How many days in total have you sailed on a cabin cruiser?
Have you ever tackled night sailing?
How many hours have you spent at the helm, more or less?
How many times have you made a Ship Point while sailing?
If, in the opinion of the School, you do not have the experience for the course you require, are you willing to attend the level most suited to your abilities?

Your personal data will be used to support your experience on this website, in particular in this form to respond to your request. You can view the full privacy policy at this address: Privacy Policy

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1 Step 1
Can you swim?
How many years have you been sailing?
How frequently do you go sailing in a year?
Do you have a licence?
Do you know how to tie these knots: bowline, clove hitch, half hitch and savoy knot?
What is your technical level?
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Sailing upwind
Sailing downward
Tacking
Gybing
Stopping the boat by heaving-to
Maintaining a course
Picking up a mooring under sail
Knowledge of sailing terminology
Hoisting and lowering a sail
Adjusting a sail with the sheet
What is your technical level?
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Sailing upwind
Sailing downward
Tacking
Gybing
Only for C2, C2/C3
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Using a Winch
Anchoring under sail
Reduction of sails on a cruising yacht
What is your technical level?C4
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Sailing upwind
Sailing downward
Tacking
Gybing
Stopping the boat by heaving-to
Reducing sail (mainsail - jib)
Picking up a mooring under sail
Assess your level of experience on a cabin cruiser
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Recovering a man overboard
Mooring in a motor harbour
Pulling up to a quay under sail
Making a sailing anchorage
Arming/ramming the spinnaker
Arming/Ramming the gennaker
Plotting a course
Taking stock of the ship
Assess your level of experience on a cabin cruiser
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Recovering a man overboard
Mooring in a motor harbour
Plotting a course
Taking stock of the ship
Evaluate your level of experience on a cabin cruiserC4
WellFairlyWith uncertaintyNo
Recovering a man overboard
Mooring in a motor harbour
Pulling up to a quay under sail
Making a sailing anchorage
Arming/ramming the spinnaker
Arming/Ramming the gennaker
Plotting a course
Taking stock of the ship
Gybing with a spinnaker
Gybing with gennaker
English mooring with spring and batticule
Consult a pilot book
Preparing a piloting
Recognising I.A.L.A. signals (day/night)
Recognising a ship's navigation lights
Check the battery charge level with a tester
Interpreting a METEOMAR bulletin
Use a VHF radio with proper calling procedures
How many days in total have you sailed on a cabin cruiser?
Have you ever tackled night sailing?
How many hours have you spent at the helm, more or less?
How many times have you made a Ship Point while sailing?
If, in the opinion of the School, you do not have the experience for the course you require, are you willing to attend the level most suited to your abilities?

Your personal data will be used to support your experience on this website, in particular in this form to respond to your request. You can view the full privacy policy at this address: Privacy Policy

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