Training
It’s easy to get
out on the water – why do I need to be trained?
If you are using your boat for leisure you don’t have to but
like many sports and leisure activities it’s more enjoyable when
you know what you’re doing.
And if you are thinking of taking other people with you then
they’ll probably feel better knowing you’ve had some training.
What training?
It really depends on how you are getting on the water.
For many water sports such as canoeing, windsurfing, rowing,
water skiing, dinghy sailing there are recognised training
programmes. These are run by the various sports governing bodies;
British Canoe Union (BCU),
British Rowing, British
Waterski and Wakeboard and the RYA.
If you really don’t fancy taking a course then why not book an
expert who can help you to get started or tune up your skills. You
can find professionals tutors in magazines and on the web sites for
each of the sports.
Where do I get it?
Virtually every water sports/activity centre or club offers a
basic level training course in your chosen water sport.
For bigger boating activities there are training schools all
around the UK, offering a wide variety of courses, basic and
advanced. The Marine Leisure
Association offers more information and details on their
training school members.
If you can’t get to training centre or school the experts can
usually come to you. More and more people are opting for one to one
tuition or own boat training.
You can also do basic training abroad on holiday. It makes a
nice addition to just relaxing on the beach and it’s likely to be
warmer too!
How much?
Like all outdoor activities the prices change depending on the
season (boating season tends to be April – September) but look
out for special offers outside of the of season.
Here is a snap shot of some typical courses
prices:
- British Canoe Union 1 Star course - basic “learning to
paddle” in the region of £65 for day’s course
- Intermediate Windsurfing around £200 for a residential two day
course
- Advanced Dinghy sailing - performance weekend from
£145.00
- RYA Competent Crew - the starter course for yachts and
motor yachts, costs in the region of £300 in the UK and around £450
for an overseas course
- Power boat level 1 - for those new to power boating,
costs in the region of £200
- Ladies only sailing week – chance to gain competent crew or Day
Skipper qualifications, around £350 for five days
- One to one tuition on your own boat - costs in the region
of £150 per day