Nomad Sailing is owned and run by Jim Barden and his sister Lou. We have a practical base in Gosport and shore-based classrooms in London and in Gosport. To see what other people say about us, click here.
Nomad Sailing was established in 2008, and after obtaining RYA Recognised Training Centre (RTC) status, has been delivering shore-based RYA course 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 buoys, lights, shapes and sounds and the important aspects of safety at sea. All in the comfort of the classroom.
Training vessel Nomad 1 was bought in 2011, and we spent a lot of time and effort making her a fabulous training yacht and felt she deserved her own page - so please take a look at Nomad 1. Menai III joined the fleet in 2018, another Sunfast 37 fully equipped for training and longer passages. These two boats have allowed us to deliver the full range of RYA practical courses as well family sailing trips, channel hops and longer range adventure sails.
In 2019 we took over the managment of one the Solent's longest established charter companies - Solent Yacht Charter. Along with a fleet of yachts for bareboat or skippered charter, SYC can also provide bespoke skipper charters on larger luxury motor cruisers.
Why Nomad Sailing?
Although not without challenge, our training schedules always have your learning outcomes, comfort and safety in mind. You will be give feedback on your progress throughout the course - we are always happy to answer questions (none are too 'stupid'), demostrate skills or let you have a go at that tricky maneuourve again!
You will most likely complete your practical training on Nomad 1 or Menai III on which you will give a comfortable berth and good quality food throughout your time on board. All of our course are 'All Inclusive' with no hidden extras. You will not be asked for contributions for mooring fees, food, use of waterproofs or anything else.
Overall our focus is on sound tuition, safety and of course plenty of fun! Over the years we feel like we have grown a 'Nomad Family', many of our customers who met on a Nomad course now sail together - some have even gone the full route and 15 years down the line are teaching for us ! Many attend out bi-annual Xmas party in London which is hosted by us for all our graduates past and present.
The Team
Nomad Sailing was established in 2008, and after obtaining RYA Recognised Training Centre (RTC) status, has been delivering shore-based RYA course 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 buoys, lights, shapes and sounds and the important aspects of safety at sea. All in the comfort of the classroom.
Training vessel Nomad 1 was bought in 2011, and we spent a lot of time and effort making her a fabulous training yacht and felt she deserved her own page - so please take a look at Nomad 1. Menai III joined the fleet in 2018, another Sunfast 37 fully equipped for training and longer passages. These two boats have allowed us to deliver the full range of RYA practical courses as well family sailing trips, channel hops and longer range adventure sails.
In 2019 we took over the managment of one the Solent's longest established charter companies - Solent Yacht Charter. Along with a fleet of yachts for bareboat or skippered charter, SYC can also provide bespoke skipper charters on larger luxury motor cruisers.
Why Nomad Sailing?
Although not without challenge, our training schedules always have your learning outcomes, comfort and safety in mind. You will be give feedback on your progress throughout the course - we are always happy to answer questions (none are too 'stupid'), demostrate skills or let you have a go at that tricky maneuourve again!
You will most likely complete your practical training on Nomad 1 or Menai III on which you will give a comfortable berth and good quality food throughout your time on board. All of our course are 'All Inclusive' with no hidden extras. You will not be asked for contributions for mooring fees, food, use of waterproofs or anything else.
Overall our focus is on sound tuition, safety and of course plenty of fun! Over the years we feel like we have grown a 'Nomad Family', many of our customers who met on a Nomad course now sail together - some have even gone the full route and 15 years down the line are teaching for us ! Many attend out bi-annual Xmas party in London which is hosted by us for all our graduates past and present.
The Team
Nomad Sailing 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)
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)
Jim Barden - RTC 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, 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. His other main outdoor love is climbing and has been to Europe and beyond scaling many peaks. When he is not climbing or teaching sailing he can be found playing one of his many guitars or out walking his little Border Terrier 'Barrie'.
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 began teaching sailing in 2011 and has a patient and personable style that is a firm favourite with students. She likes nothing better than giving people the knowledge and confidence to be able to effectively crew or skipper a boat. When not teaching sailing Lou loves nothing better than jumping in her old T5 camper van and taking her little Border Terrior 'Ziggy' away somewhere live stock free to have a good run. In addition she loves to cook and yes, can cook things other than a tray bake!!!
Lou resigned her career job in 2008 to pursue her passion for sailing, Lou began teaching sailing in 2011 and has a patient and personable style that is a firm favourite with students. She likes nothing better than giving people the knowledge and confidence to be able to effectively crew or skipper a boat. When not teaching sailing Lou loves nothing better than jumping in her old T5 camper van and taking her little Border Terrior 'Ziggy' away somewhere live stock free to have a good run. In addition she loves to cook and yes, can cook things other than a tray bake!!!
Rachel Holland - Admin 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 qualifications and certificates are registered and recorded correctly.
Rachel joined Nomad Sailing four years ago and quite frankly we do not know what we would do without her. When not working Rachel spends most of her time taking her son to swim meets and no she does not have a Border Terrier.
Ziggy & Barrie - The Border Terriers
The final part of the team, Ziggy and Barrie, yes both girls and have the tendency to be more of a hindrance than a help, a rather large distraction a lot of the time. If you have already been to the Nomad Office you will probably have met at least Ziggy who lives with Lou in Gosport, she is very enthusiastic to meet new people and always very helpful when trying on your wet weather gear.