Mobile: 07931 940277
07917 573772
Tel: 02392 528019

About Nomad Sailing

Nomad Sailing is owned and run by Jim Barden and his sister Lou. We have a practical base in Gosport and shorebased classrooms in London and the South-East. To see what other people say about us click here.

Nomad was established in 2008, and after obtaining RYA Recognised Training Centre (RTC) status has provided shorebased RYA training courses in various locations in London and the South East. We aim to give sailors and prospective sailors the opportunity to learn and refine all the navigation skills needed on the water, a thorough grounding in the 'rules of the road', detailed knowledge of buoyage, lights and shapes and an understanding of safety at sea, all in the comfort of the classroom.

Nomad 1 is Nomad Sailing's first boat. We have spent a great deal of time making her a fabulous training boat and felt she deserved a full page - so please take a look at Nomad 1.  In 2018, Menai III joined the fleet, another Sun Fast 37 and fully equipped for training and longer passages.

As well as providing scheduled courses throughout the year, Nomad Sailing also delivers bespoke theory training to small groups in homes, offices, clubs and workshops!

In 2019,  we also took over the managment of one of the Solent's longest established yacht charter companies - Solent Yacht Charter.  Along with a fleet of yachts for bareboat or skippered charter, Solent Yacht Charter can also provide bespoke skippered charters on larger motor cruisers.

Why Nomad Sailing?

Although not without challenge, our training schedules always have your learning outcomes and comfort in mind. You will be given continuous feedback on your progress throughout the course - we are always happy to answer questions, demonstrate skills or let you have a go at that tricky manoeuvre again !

You will likely complete courses on 'Nomad 1' or 'Menai III' on which you will be given a comfortable berth and good quality food whilst on board. All of our courses are All Inclusive, there are no hidden extras, you will not be asked for comtributions to mooring fees or indeed for any more money during the course.

Overall our focus throughout is on sound tuition, safety and of course plenty of fun ! Over the years we have developed 'The Nomad Family', many of our customers who met on a Nomad boat now sail together and many of them attend our bi-annual Christmas Party in London which is hosted by us for all our customers past and present.

The Team

Nomad Marine

Gosport Marina
Mumby Road
Gosport
Hampshire
PO12 1AH
(see map )

Nomad Shorebased
27 Furnival Street
Holborn
London
EC4A 1JQ
(see map )

Nomad Office
SF8 Endeavour Quay
Gosport Marina
Mumby Road
PO12 1AH
(see map )
Email
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Jim Barden - Principal

Principal at Nomad Sailing, Jim has over 30 years sailing experience, having cruised all around the UK and Europe. He is a RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, Cruising Instructor Trainer and has been teaching navigation and sailing since 2001.

Jim has a passion for the outdoors, and a zeal for imparting his knowledge of navigation and boat handling that is infectious. He ensures that all participants are comfortable and included, irrespective of their age or experience.
Photo of Jim Barden Principal of Nomad Sailing

Photo of Lou Barden Chief Instructor of Nomad Sailing

Lou Barden - Chief Instructor

Lou is Chief Instructor at Nomad Sailing, has over 20 years sailing experience in various waters and has participated in a number of extended yacht deliveries. She is a qualified RYA Yachtmaster Instructor.

Lou resigned her career job in 2008 to pursue her passion for sailing, Lou has a patient and personable style that is a firm favourite with students.

Lou Barden - Chief Instructor

Lou is Chief Instructor at Nomad Sailing, has over 20 years sailing experience in various waters and has participated in a number of extended yacht deliveries. She is a qualified RYA Yachtmaster Instructor.

Lou resigned her career job in 2008 to pursue her passion for sailing, Lou has a patient and personable style that is a firm favourite with students.
Photo of Lou Barden Chief Instructor of Nomad Sailing

Joe Wallington-Lardi - Operations Manager / Instructor

Operations Manager at Nomad Sailing, Joe has been working with Nomad since the beginning! Joe started sailing at 8 years old attending a local dinghy club and has since completed his RYA training and exams, with Nomad. Joe is now one of our Yachtmaster Instructors and also looks after the theory courses in Gosport. Alongside this Joe is the Chief Instructor for our Powerboat training and spends time working with the RYA as a Shorebased Instructor Trainer. 
 
In 2019 Joe resigned from his full time job with HM Coastguard to become a full time member of the Nomad family, undertaking skippering, maintenance, instruction and ensuring the smooth day to day running of the business and boats.
Photo of Joseph Wallington - Operations Manager at Nomad Sailing
Photo of Lou Barden Chief Instructor of Nomad Sailing

Rachel Holland - Administration Manager

Rachel keeps all the 'wheels' of Nomad Sailing turning smoothly.  Organisation and logistics are among her many talents.  When you come to us for a course, she'll make sure you know where to go and when, that the food on board suits your dietary needs and at the end of your course that your qualifcations and certificates are registered and recorded correctly.  She is a diamond in the darkness.

Rachel Holland - Adminstation Manager

Rachel keeps all the 'wheels' of Nomad Sailing turning smoothly.  Organisation and logistics among her many talents.  When you come to us for a course, she'll make sure you know where to go and when, that the food on board suits your dietary needs and at the end of your course that your qualifcations and certificates are registered and recorded correctly.  She is a diamond in the darkness that is Nomad Sailing.
Photo of Lou Barden Chief Instructor of Nomad Sailing
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Our Training Partners

Nomad Sailing are pleased to be the RYA Training partners for:
Nomad Marine

Gosport Marina, Mumby Road, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 1AH (see map )

Nomad Shorebased
1 Rushworth Street, Waterloo, London SE1 0RB (see map )
Nomad Office
16 Silchester Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN38 0JB (see map )

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