RYA L1 Powerboat

RYA Powerboat Level 1 Course

 Most of our bookings are for two or three people visiting together.  One to one training can be booked for adults if you prefer (at the two person rate). 

ONLINE BOOKING AVAILABLE  – PLEASE SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE

The RYA Powerboat Level 1 Course is an introduction to boating techniques, everyday boat handling and the use of safety equipment.   It is a one day introduction to powerboating.   It is perfect for those who are unsure about going afloat, those who intend to mainly crew and/or  youngsters from the age of 8.

Please contact us to book a course.  We can run these at a time to suit you and will add extra courses to the calendar.

 

Please note if you are booking for a youngster under the age of 18 without an adult then for safeguarding reasons we need a minimum of two bookings.  Occasionally we may be able to match up two youngsters for the same course but more often it is best if two friends book on the same course.  We may also be able to use a smaller boat more suited to smaller people once we know the ages of the youngsters. This is a great 4.8m Ribcraft perfect for training youngsters with all the same controls but a lower console for better visibility.

If a parent/guardian/grandparent/godparent/aunt/uncle etc wishes to attend with a youngster please book two spaces and we will allocate the course to your group.  We will require a parent/guardian to countersign the booking form. Just drop us a line if you don’t see dates to suit as we can schedule around your availability.

 

Further Info

Who is this RYA Powerboat Level 1 Course suitable for ?

The course is suitable for anyone from the age of 8.  It is a practical course with little time in the classroom and is best suited to youngsters aged 8 and over, adults who are nervous about getting afloat and want to try boating in a stress free environment and those who prefer to crew but want to know a little more about how a boat handles for the odd occasion when they need to take over.  It is a great course to take as an experience day with an adult and child or for two friends.  This course can be taken as a precursor to the Level 2 course for those who haven’t been afloat before.

What does the course consist of ?

The RYA Level 1 Powerboat Course is a really practical day covering boat handling.  We undertake everything at a comfortable pace and there is no final assessment.

Where do we run the courses?

If you take the course on our boat then we operate from the Port of Poole Marina in Poole Harbour.  If you wish to take the course on your boat then we come to your boat whether that is in Poole, Christchurch, the Solent or further afield (travel costs may be incurred).

When do we run the courses?

We operate all year and seven days a week.  Just look at your diary and give us a call and we will try to fit in around your availability.

If you are planning to take the course on our boat on your own and want to join a scheduled course these dates are advertised on our website but if you don’t see a suitable date give us a call to discuss as we often run extra courses that never make it as far as the website!

How to book ?

You can book by emailing us and we’ll respond as quickly as possible.

What if I want to book just one place ?

There are two options: You are welcome to book the full course for yourself to ensure one to one tuition or to book a course for you to attend with friends or family.   Alternatively, we run courses each month on which we take individual bookings and for these you may be placed on a course with other students (max ratio three students per boat/instructor).  (Please note under 18s will require a min two person booking to meet child protection guidelines).

Do I need my own boat?  What if I already have a boat ?

The powerboat course can be taken on our boat or yours.  If taking the course on your own boat then we can train at a location and time suitable for you and up to three people can be trained at a time.  The costs are given on our prices page  If you don’t have a boat then grab a friend and come to a course on our RIB.

How many people will be on the course with me ?

We usually run these courses for just two people who book together. There is normally just one course running at a time to allow us to give you our full attention.   We can run the courses for up to three people per boat. We can run multiple boats if required for the same group booking.   If you have booked an individual place then there may be other students on the course with you.

Is there a test at the end of the course ?

NO, there is no final test so you can relax and enjoy the day.  There is a course completion certificate so you do need to attend for the full day.

What if the weather is bad ?

It is rare that we have to cancel a course.  We are very lucky with the area in which we operate that there are protected parts of the harbour to train.  In the rare event of inclement weather, we will contact you to discuss.  We can either postpone the training or issue a refund for the course if the training has not yet started.

What if I need to cancel ?

Our full cancellation terms are given in our terms and conditions attached to the enquiry email we send out.  We do understand that circumstances occasionally change. We will do our best to work with you to rearrange training if necessary.

Who will be teaching me ?

You will usually be taught by either our Chief Instructor or Training Centre Principal.  You can therefore be assured that you will receive enthusiastic instruction from an Instructor who is keen to ensure you achieve the most from your training.  Occasionally we may bring in another Instructor but we will discuss that with you at time of booking or at short notice due to illness etc.  All instructors we use are well known by us, we do not advertise externally for instructors to cover courses!

How do I know what to expect from the course/what to bring etc. ?

People get the most from their course when they are fully prepared.  We plan our courses carefully and you will be a sent an email containing full joining instructions.  If you have any questions we encourage you to contact us.  We are happy to chat through any queries.

Can I find out any more information before booking ?

Yes!  Please send us your contact details and we will send out an enquiry email to you with more details.

What boat will I use ?

Our 4.8m or 5.85m Ribcraft are usually used. They are very manageable and capable boats, whilst not being intimidating in size.