Improving Access to Sailing: We remove barriers for the next generation, providing dedicated courses to Sea Cadets and ASTO members, helping young and disabled sailors take the helm. 
Edd Hewett
Principal & Co-Founder
Having over 200,000 nautical miles on some impressive research and expedition vessels under his belt, Edd now spends his time exploring remote islands with Charly and his two daughters, while teaching you online.
Get to Know Us
about ardent
Born from a passion to improve your knowledge and enjoyment at sea, Ardent Training has built a reputation for delivering quality RYA theory courses in a practical, easy-to-grasp way.
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We've had consistently positive experiences with students who have completed their theory with Ardent training before joining us for their RYA Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper Practical Course. They arrive well-prepared, confident in their theoretical knowledge, and eager to put their learning into practice on the water. This solid foundation allows us to focus more on developing real-life seamanship skills, decision-making, and teamwork aboard. It's always a pleasure to see how seamlessly the Ardent theory courses integrate with the practical side of RYA training making the transition from classroom to cockpit both smooth and rewarding.
Our Platform, Partnerships and Purpose
Real People. Real Impact.
We are the instructors you see in the videos, the experts hosting Live Sessions, and the real people answering your questions on live chat. We built this platform to share our genuine love for the sea, and we believe in being transparent about who we are and what we stand for. Ardent is more than a business; it's a platform for the positive change we want to see in the maritime world.
- Improving Access to Sailing: We remove barriers for the next generation, providing dedicated courses to Sea Cadets and ASTO members, helping young and disabled sailors take the helm.
- Conserving Marine Environments: We’re committed to protecting our seas, donating our time, expertise, and funding to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s research in Scottish waters.
- Saving Lives at Sea: We live what we teach as volunteer crew for the RNLI Tobermory Lifeboat, ensuring our safety knowledge is always rooted in hands-on, real-world experience.
Transforming Theoretical RYA Education
A journey built on passion, expertise and a love for the sea.
We want to achieve one core goal: to make RYA theory more accessible and better suited to practical application on the water. Here’s how we are doing that:
Founded by Charly and Edd
With a desire to transform online theory education, we built Ardent to give skippers greater knowledge, awareness, and confidence.
2020 / Nov
Launched our first course: RYA Day Skipper Theory
Written and filmed by Charly, Edd and Charlie, our first course set the tone for our practical, real-world teaching style, based on the water, in the Hebrides.
2021 / Jul
Finished our first full year of training and grew the Ardent Team
After the first year of instructing day skipper students, we expanded our team to build on our premium support and allow us to write our next courses.
2022 / Jul
Launched Fast Track and Yachtmaster Theory
Written with Stuart Cook and Alan Denham, highly experienced RYA Examiners, this was a significant step toward becoming a full pathway provider.
2023 / Jul
Developed our own Learning Management System & released our App
Giving students the option to study on the go with offline access and a smoother learning experience.
2024 / Jul
Won the Scottish Edge Competition
Plenty of balloons and bubbles as we won this prestigious competition to secure funding to grow our courses and team.
2025 / May
Rebuilt and improved our Day Skipper course
Updated in line with the RYA’s digital-first initiative, strengthening our flagship course with more knowledge and materials.
2025 / Jun
Reached 1,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot
A milestone that reflects the dedication of our instructors and the quality of our student support.
2025 / Aug
Launched our RYA Essential Navigation Course
Opening the door for beginners to start their RYA journey with confidence, we are proud to support those in the early stages of learning.
2025 / Sep
An established community presence
We now have over 40 partners and teach 6 online theory courses, with a growing crew of 11 instructors.
Today
What’s next
We’re building an exciting future. We have a new course coming soon, and we’ll also be developing innovative platform features. Join us and be part of our next wave of passionate skippers.
Our Future
Still deciding? See exactly how we build your confidence.
Let us show you why thousands of students choose us for their theory courses.
YOUR RYA INSTRUCTORS
Meet the Team Who'll Help You Qualify
Your course is taught by hand-picked, highly regarded professional sailors qualified to teach both motor and sail theory. With a combined experience spanning every continent and over half a million nautical miles sailed, they've navigated the world's most challenging waters through the harshest conditions. Now they're going to teach you everything you need to know.
Meet The TeamPlay Video
Charly Hewett
Chief Instructor & Co-Founder
From tall ships to expedition yachts, Charly has built an accomplished career in sailing after the Navy. She now lives on her own boat with Edd and their daughters, writing your online courses and running live support.
Charlie Triggs
Director & Co-Founder
Having worked on a range of international commercial, research, and expedition vessels, Charlie has an unbounded enthusiasm for the sea and for inspiring others. He now shares his passion by teaching at Ardent.
Edd Hewett
Principal & Co-Founder
Having over 200,000 nautical miles on some impressive research and expedition vessels under his belt, Edd now spends his time exploring remote islands with Charly and his two daughters, while teaching you online.
Charly Hewett
Chief Instructor & Co-Founder
From tall ships to expedition yachts, Charly has built an accomplished career in sailing after the Navy. She now lives on her own boat with Edd and their daughters, writing your online courses and running live support.
Charlie Triggs
Director & Co-Founder
Having worked on a range of international commercial, research, and expedition vessels, Charlie has an unbounded enthusiasm for the sea and for inspiring others. He now shares his passion by teaching at Ardent.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? Try our live chat feature, where we'd be happy to help. In the meantime, here are answers to our commonly asked questions.
Got a question? Live chat us!
