Powerboat Instructor - The Course

As the RYA state the entry requirements for this course are: “The Instructor is a competent and experienced powerboat handler who has been trained to teach powerboating up to the standard of the RYA National Powerboat Certificate (Level 2) under the supervision of the Principal of a RYA Training Centre.

Candidates should have logged at least five seasons’ experience of powerboating preferably in a range of boat types and sizes. For those who use powerboats as an integral part of their normal full-time occupation, this period is reduced to one season.

Candidates will hold the RYA National Powerboat Certificate (Level 2) and a valid First Aid Certificate of a type approved by the RYA. Instructors wishing to teach the Safety Boat course must hold that level of certificate themselves. Instructors wishing to teach the Intermediate or Advanced Course must attend a two day endorsement course”

The amount of experience required is a recommendation and it may be that individuals with less experience may be accepted onto the course – please call to discuss. That said irrespective of how many years you have been boating the key point must be that you have plenty of experience and so will have ‘clear water’ between you and those that you teach.

Anyone interested in qualifying as an Instructor should acquire the following publications:

• RYA Power Schemes Instructor Handbook(G19/2014) – the version from 2014 supports the powerboat, personal watercraft and inland waterways schemes.
• RYA Powerboat Handbook (G13): The book written to support the National Powerboat Scheme by PTUK’s Paul Glatzel.
• RYA Start Powerboating (G48): The book given to Level 2 attendees – a scaled down version of the RYA Powerboat Handbook.
• RYA Powerboat Logbook (G20): The Logbook outlining the syllabus of the course.

Powerboat Instructor - This course is aimed at

Some examples of the candidates that have recently attended the Powerboat Instructor course include:

• Those who have a passion for boating and over the years have gained a good amount of experience across a range of craft and who want to teach others how to get the most from their time afloat. Such individuals will then tend to instruct on a freelance basis.
• Those seeking to make a career in the industry and want being a powerboat instructor to become one of the portfolio of qualifications
• Those at sailing clubs wanting to instruct the Level 2 and Safety Boat course at their club
• Individuals and teams from Fire & Rescue units, Police Marine divisions, Military units and other specialist groups
• Those working on superyachts that want to become a PBI as a precursor to becoming a Personal Watercraft Instructor (which is a one day conversion for those already holding the one day PW Certificate)

Powerboat Instructor - Syllabus

The syllabus for the Powerboat Instructor’s course is defined in the Power Schemes Instructor Handbook. The syllabus is:

• • Theory of teaching – principals of practical instruction
  • Delivering theory subjects
  • Preparation and effective use of visual aids
  • Lesson and progamme planning
  • Teaching styles
  • Practical driving
  • Reviewing and feedback skills
  • The standards required by the RYA
  • Assessing student ability
  • Structure of the RYA Powerboat Scheme
  • Developing student skills along a progressive pathway
  • The requirements for running an effective RYA Powerboat school including conditions for recognition

During the course the candidate will receive input from the trainer and also from the other candidates. They will be asked to show the following:

• • Knowledge of the subject of powerboating
  • Ability to deliver effective teaching sessions
  • Ability to demonstrate all elements of the RYA Powerboat Level 2 syllabus
  • Ability to deliver at least one theory session ashore
  • Be able to demonstrate safety awareness for themselves and students throughout

Candidates will be asked to teach three distinct groups on the course:

• Each other – ie the other students on the course
• The course trainer/moderator
• Real students or ‘guinea pigs’ who have been asked to attend to assist the course. These must not be paying students on a recognised course.

Powerboat Instructor - Reviews

Whatever we may think of our courses what really counts is what others think, below are a selection of comments taken directly from the Feedback Forms that we ask are filled in at the end of each course and the emails that we receive post course.

I found the course really interesting, informative and most importantly I had great fun!! Really enjoyed teaching our students, and seeing their progress after only a few hours was remarkable.
Sophie

I am still struggling to express without sounding trite just how impressed I was with the course and your whole organisation. From the obvious pride you take in the school’s boats to your commitment to getting the highest possible standards both in courses you deliver and the courses delivered by those you train to instruct. I had high expectations, and they were exceeded in so many areas.
Andrew

I would just like to say what a huge pleasure it was to do the PBI at your centre. Without wanting your heads to swell too much, it was one of the most professional and well run centres I have ever been taught at. (And I’ve done a few).

I will take away with me not just the PBI course but also many great ideas for my future training and possible future RYA centre.

Your ‘before care’ and ‘after care’ has been second to none. I don’t think I could have asked for more help or information about the course and all the additional information.

Please pass on my thanks to Paul Brown as he was exceptional in making sure nothing was missed.

Viv, again can’t say enough on how helpful and pleasant you were. (Even the dog)

Paul, it was a pleasure to meet you and thank you for being so patient and understanding. Even though you were assessing, we all felt very relaxed and confident in our abilities.

Anyway, enough ‘brown nosing’ Thank you both very much. I look forward to returning to your centre in the near future and will be singing you praises to everyone.

Mark