The Royal Yacht Association (RYA) was founded in 1875 and has emerged to become the governing body for all forms of boating in the UK. In much the same way that the Football Association oversees and administers all things related to soccer. The body aims to increase the number of people who enjoy boating and as a result accredits numerous sailing schools around the world to conduct RYA courses at some excellent locations worldwide.For anyone planning to learn to sail these RYA courses are very much the benchmark by which all tuition is measured. And today it is possible to take these courses and holidays in more exotic locations such as Lanzarote, a small island which is situated just off the coast of West Africa in the Canaries. Which provides ideal year round conditions thanks to the fact that the sun shines here even during winter. Making RYA sailing courses much more bearable and enjoyable.Sailing holidays are proving popular and Lanzarote also provides lots for visitors to do and see when they are not out at sea. As this small island is big on visitor attractions, many of which were created by a well known local artist called Csar Manrique. Manrique has worked with the islands surreal volcanic terrain to create unique cultural centres such as the Cactus Garden, Mirador del Rio and the Jameos del Agua. Sites that are hugely popular with visitors from across Europe today.Manrique was born on Lanzarote in 1919 and developed a passion for the island during family holidays at Famara on the North West coast. Where he would play for hours in rocks pools, watching the reflection of the cliffs that flank the beach here in the water. This love of Lanzarote fired Manriques artistic imagination and many elements of the islands can be seen in his paintings. Such as the colours and textures of the volcanoes that dominate the heart of the island in the volcanic region that is home to the Timanfaya National Park.As well as being an artist and architect of some renown, Manrique also campaigned to ensure the island did not go the commercial route of it neighbours.As a result the Lanzarote of today still remains much as it was in his time - which is to say largely unspoiled. Whilst the same could not be said for neighbouring islands such as Tenerife.