Helmsmans course
The RYA Inland Waterways Helmsmans Course is for those new to boating or those boaters who feel that they need to brush up on their helmsmans skills. Our courses are run on our dedicated training boat the Gwendoline May although we can run a course on your own boat*.
As an RYA recognised training centre, the helmsman’s course follows the RYA syllabus and participants are awarded an Inland Waterways Helmsman’s Certificate upon successful completion.
We run scheduled courses throughout the month but if you are booking for 2 or three persons at the same time we will run a course at a time to suit you.
For operational reasons there are no more than 3 students on any course.
The course includes:
Boating Safety
Pre start checks
Ropework and knots
Boat control
Getting underway
Slowing down, stopping and mooring up
Locks and using them safely
Navigating bridges and tunnels
It is a highly practical course with the majority of the day spent out on the water or on the bank mooring up or working locks. As such it is important that you have suitable clothes (including wet weather gear) and sturdy non slip shoes (no flip flops or sandals). It is also recommended that you bring a hat in the unlikely event that the sun is shining. Lifejackets are provided and wearing them is mandatory.
We provide hot and cold drinks throughout the day as well as lunch. If you have any special dietary requirements please speak to us before the course so that we can accommodate you.
Our cruising route will include wide locks, tunnels, bridges, a small aqueduct and optionally swing bridges. We can if desired include the incredible Foxton Locks.
*Our training vessel, the Gwendoline May, is configured specifically for training and we would suggest that wherever possible you take your course on our boat. However we realise that for a number of reasons (location, special access requirements or even personal preference) you may want to use your own boat for the course and we are happy to accommodate you. For preference your boat should either be cruiser stern or semi trad. If it is a traditional stern boat we can only have one helmsman on the counter at one time which restricts teaching. We will provide sufficient lifejackets for the course but it is your responsibility to ensure that other equipment (mooring lines, piling hooks/chains, mooring spikes etc) is available. It is also important that you are near at least one lock. If we run a course on your boat from our base at Debdale there is no additional cost. If we run a course on your boat at a different location there is a fixed £40 cost to cover all travel and accommodation costs we might incur. Please contact us to discuss further.
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Course Details
Duration: 2 days
Location: Gwendoline May
Cost: £360
Maximum # students 3
Minimum # students 2
Student Reviews
Nick was a great instructor. No complaints, all areas covered, great venue, could not have been better
Daniel
A really useful, fun and informative course. Thank You
Wendy
The course was really good value for money and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Andrew
Excellent facilitator giving us all a broad and very hands on experience. All round excellent course which exceeded my expectations.
Karin
Steve was the lynch pin to the whole day & made the whole experience very enjoyable and worthwhile. I now have the confidence to plan our first canal boat holiday.
Mark
Good all-round course, Instruction clear allowing the student time to understand any problems
Barry
Great covered exactly what I needed. I enjoyed the course immensely
Rosalind
Ideal Location – lots of different training opportunities (tunnel, Locks, winding holes etc.), in idyllic scenery.
Roy
Very friendly very professional. Wholly enjoyable way to learn! Probably one of the best courses I have been on. Thanks again!
Stephen
Excellent facilities, superb training. Would recommend to anyone wishing to improve their knowledge of boat handling.
Nick
Steve was a great instructor, patient, professional, extremely knowledgeable
Dennis
We have some experience of narrowboating and were looking for tips and guidance on how to improve. The course provided everything I was looking for. Also great fun.
Andrew
Thank you so much for a wonderful course in great company. The confidence it gave me to have a go myself with great / excellent tuition which was at totally the right pace.
Tessa
Would be hard to improve on such an amazing training activity which is so well organised
Alan
Well thought out and informative
John
Can't say enough positive! The course contributed in a BIG way to the enjoyment of our subsequent holiday. Would recommend course and specifically David to all. Many thanks, Harry
Harry
Many thanks to Steve, great instruction with excellent knowledge. Very worthwhile course and would highly recommend
Grant
Thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Learnt new skills and improved old ones. Nick was a great instructor and made the course great fun as well as a great learning experience
Derek
Brilliant
Claire
I was very lucky to have the first day of the course all to myself which meant I got lots of support to boost my confidence for the harder parts to follow on the second day. Steve was patient and kind. He made me feel confident and was able to explain everything so that I understood it, thank you. The food was delicious - I really liked the cold drinks (it was very hot). I really enjoyed the course and can't wait to perfect the skills learnt on my next holiday.