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
Many thanks to Steve, great instruction with excellent knowledge. Very worthwhile course and would highly recommend
Grant
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
It was all brilliant – comprehensive, informative practical and enjoyable. Its great we get to try a bit of everything. Steve was very patient and helpful, and a great source of knowledge!
Deborah
Nick was a very informative instructor who didn’t just teach the basics he also taught us the etiquette and answered all the questions we had. Was a great 2 days
Chris
Fab course.Nick was lovely, engaging & professional over both days
Chaaya
Excellent facilities, superb training. Would recommend to anyone wishing to improve their knowledge of boat handling.
Nick
Best bits – Steves patience, good humour, and ability to explain in different ways the same thing so that I understood. Tunnel, locks, mooring – all the things I had been scared of. Intense, all necessary and so many tips that a whole new world of boating is opened up
Hilary
Good all-round course, Instruction clear allowing the student time to understand any problems
Barry
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
Most enjoyable and informative two day course with lots of hands on experiences. Taught in a very calm and trouble free manner. Many thanks to Nick.
Maria
Helpful instructor, was very patient & lots of time to practice.
Priya
Lovely to have such a calm instructor - felt relaxed enough to let go of any anxieties, as a newbie! Great that the tutor is both an experienced narrowboater and a proper engineer! Lovely lunch too!
Barbara
We had a fabulous 2 days and so looking forward to driving my own boat. Thank you Steve
Dee
We have very much enjoyed the course. Steve was very helpful and informative and has given us some much needed guidance and confidence.
Margaret
An informative course with lots of practical work. I particularly appreciated the personal tuition when dealing with more difficult exercises. Friendly, knowledgeable instructors who took the time to teach.
John
Steve Patient, flexible: provided the right balance of information / eductation with time / space to implement learning. Thank You! Exceeded Expectations.
Martin
Would be hard to improve on such an amazing training activity which is so well organised
Alan
Very friendly very professional. Wholly enjoyable way to learn! Probably one of the best courses I have been on. Thanks again!
Stephen
A revelation - my retirement plans might need re-doing now. I'm a convert to the Inland Waterways.
Roy
A very enjoyable course and left me feeling well prepared for two weeks afloat in September. We very much enjoyed the company of the instructor.