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
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.
Sian
Great covered exactly what I needed. I enjoyed the course immensely
Rosalind
We have very much enjoyed the course. Steve was very helpful and informative and has given us some much needed guidance and confidence.
Margaret
Everything was very good - I feel much more confident now.
Jill
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
Helpful instructor, was very patient & lots of time to practice.
Priya
Excellent facilitator giving us all a broad and very hands on experience. All round excellent course which exceeded my expectations.
Karin
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
Outstanding course. Great experience, well delivered. Thank you.
Michael
Would have come back for a third day I enjoyed it so much.
Steve
Would be hard to improve on such an amazing training activity which is so well organised
Alan
A revelation - my retirement plans might need re-doing now. I'm a convert to the Inland Waterways.
Roy
Steve Patient, flexible: provided the right balance of information / eductation with time / space to implement learning. Thank You! Exceeded Expectations.
Martin
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.
David
Excellent course & very good instructions throughout the full course. Excellent introduction to using a boat safely and correctly on the network
Gary
Many thanks to Steve, great instruction with excellent knowledge. Very worthwhile course and would highly recommend
Grant
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
Thank you much confidence has been gained.
Rachel
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
Steve was engaging and fun to learn from. Enjoyed the days from beginning to end.