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Watersports Instructor Training
Sailing and Windsurfing Instructor
Fasttrack Powerboat Instructor
Qualifications and Certificates
We run three different Watersports Instructor training courses. Each course has a slightly different focus allowing students to gain the most appropriate qualifications for them, minimising training time and eliminating overlaps in skills areas to maximise the learning outcome.
The most sought after entry-level instructors are those who hold at least two or three Instructor qualifications.
Watersports Instructor
Duration: 16 weeks
Location: UK only; UK and Overseas
Plas Menai’s flagship training Course, is the 16 Week Watersports Instructor course which includes everything you need to qualify as an RYA Dinghy and Windsurfing Instructor and BCU Kayak Coach as well as essential foundation training in Powerboat Level 2, Short Range Radio and First Aid that are all required for other instructor disciplines.
Our dedicated team of instructors and coaches will guide you through the course, to ensure you achieve your full potential and gain the qualifications.
The course will be overseen by our Head of Professional Development Matt Beaumont, a qualified Dinghy Coach, Windsurfing Trainer and Powerboat Trainer.
During the winter, the course decamps overseas for two weeks, allowing the students more time on the water, where they concentrate primarily on honing their windsurfing skills.
Pre-Course Experience
In order to undertake this course you must have a minimum of one week’s dinghy sailing, windsurfing and kayaking experience. If you do not have this experience, our foundation courses will soon get you up to speed.
Minimum age: 17yrs
Sailing & Windsurfing Instructor
Duration: 12 Weeks
Location: UK and Oversees
This course is targeted at watersports enthusiasts who are keen to develop their passion into a career. The shorter time-frame means students are required to be of a higher standard in each of the disciplines prior to attending the course and the course is concentrated on just two sports; sailing and windsurfing.
Not everybody can spare 16 weeks for training and for those who are already keen sailors or windsurfers this course enables them to progress to instructor level in a shorter time frame.
The course is run from January to March finishing at a time when many centres are recruiting staff for the summer season.
Key Instructor Qualifications RYA Dinghy Instructor; RYA Windsurfing Instructor
The qualifications and safety skills you will gain on the Sailing and Windsurfing Instructor course are essential for teaching at all professional training centres and schools in the UK and many overseas countries.
To achieve the qualifications you will receive intensive coaching from our high-qualified staff that includes coaches and examiners from across all the watersports staged at the Centre.
You will also be actively encouraged to practice and improve your skills in your spare time and will be given access to the centre kit, once you have been cleared to use it by the Course Director or Chief Instructor.
Although the centre is quieter during the winter months we still aim to ensure the students on the winter course gain some hand-on experience, although the opportunities are more limited.
The course combines where appropriate with the winter Watersports Instructor course and students also benefit from the two-week module of intensive skills training ioverseas.
Pre-Course Experience
Ideally you should be able to sail and windsurf around a triangular course comfortably
Fasttrack Powerboat Instructor
Duration: 4 Weeks
In recent years, with growing numbers of powerboats on the water, the need for qualified instructors to teach safe powerboat driving has dramatically increased.
Key Instructor Qualifications: RYA Powerboat Skills Assessment; RYA Powerboat Instructor
Less seasonally affected (particularly in the UK) than other instructional qualifications, there are numerous employment opportunities at activity centres, clubs and schools both in the UK and overseas for RYA Powerboat Instructors.
The RYA Powerboat Instructor award is the recognised qualification for any professional activity centre offering powerboat training courses. As such this four-week course includes all the essential skills and support qualifications needed to be a competent and confident instructor.
The course is very intensive and covers navigation skills, powerboat training to an Advanced level including the preparation and undertaking of night passages, First Aid, VHF, Sea Survival and Diesel Engine Maintenance, leading into the three-day Powerboat Instructor award.
As part of your course you will undertake the Powerboat Instructor Skills Assessment to ensure your skills are up to the required level prior to embarking upon the three-day instructor course.
Pre-course experience
Minimum age: 16 years. You must hold the RYA National Powerboat Certificate (Powerboat Level 2)
‘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’ RYA
Foundation Courses
The perfect beginner or refresher courses!
If you are a little rusty or you have never taken part in any watersports before, these week long courses are ideal for getting you up to the required skill level for entering the world of Watersport Instructor training.
Pre Requisite Experience: None
These courses cover the basic introductory practical skills and theory training in Windsurfing, Dinghy Sailing and Kayaking, covering the following certificates. RYA Start Windsurfing, RYA Learn to Sail - Level 1 and 2, BCU 1 star and 2 star kayak and canoe training
Benefits
- Brush up on old skills
- Boost confidence levels
- Learn new practical and theory skills
- Learn new watersports skills
Qualifications & Certificates
For a full list of the qualifications and certificates please click Watersports Instructor Qualifications
