RYA Powerboat Instructor Course

Duration

2 days course

Minimum Age

12+ Years

Maximum Students

Max 3 Students per Course

Duration

3 days course

Minimum Age

18+ Years

Assessment

Independent Trainer Assessment on Day 3

Required Experience

Strong practical powerboating experience

Take the next step in your powerboating journey by becoming a qualified RYA Powerboat Instructor. This course is designed for experienced powerboaters who are ready to turn their practical skills into the confidence, knowledge and teaching ability needed to train others safely and effectively. Over three intensive days, including an independent assessment on the final day, you will develop the instructional techniques, communication skills and coaching methods required to deliver engaging, structured and professional RYA Powerboat courses. Whether you want to teach at an RYA Training Centre, support new boaters as they build confidence on the water, or expand your professional qualifications, this course provides the practical experience and recognised certification to become a capable and inspiring powerboat instructor.

Course Overview

The RYA Powerboat Instructor Course prepares experienced powerboaters to teach within the RYA Powerboat scheme. As an instructor, you will need to be confident not only in your own boat handling, but also in your ability to explain, demonstrate, coach and assess others. This course helps you develop those teaching techniques, with a focus on practical instruction, clear communication, safety awareness and effective delivery both afloat and ashore. You will learn how to structure sessions, support different learning styles, manage students with varying levels of confidence and deliver training in a way that is safe, professional and enjoyable. The course is run over three days and assessed by an independent RYA Trainer on the third day. Throughout the course, you will take part as both instructor and student, giving you the opportunity to practise delivery, receive feedback and build confidence in your teaching approach.

Course Information

  • Duration
  • Minimum Age
  • Experience Required
  • Pre-Entry Assessment
  • Assessment
  • Qualification
  • Qualified to Teach
  • Validity
  • Course Fee
  • 3 Days
  • 18+ Years
  • Five seasons logged powerboating experience, or one season for those using powerboats as part of their full-time occupation
  • RYA Powerboat Skills Assessment required before instructor training
  • Independent Trainer assessment on Day 3
  • RYA Powerboat Instructor
  • Up to and including RYA Powerboat Level 2, under the supervision of the Principal or Chief Instructor
  • 5 years from date of issue, provided a valid first aid certificate is maintained
  • £525 inc VAT

What You'll Learn

Teaching Practical Boat Handling

Learn how to demonstrate, explain and coach the practical boat handling skills required for RYA Powerboat Level 1 and Level 2.

Structuring Training Sessions

Develop the ability to plan and deliver clear, achievable sessions that help students build confidence step by step.

Coaching Different Learners

Understand how to adapt your teaching style for students with different experience levels, learning preferences and confidence on the water.

Safety and Student Management

Learn how to manage students safely during practical sessions, including positioning, communication, briefings, supervision and risk awareness.

Delivering Theory Clearly

Practise teaching the essential theory behind safe powerboating, including safety, environment, seamanship, rules of the road and planning.

Demonstration Skills

Refine your own demonstrations so students can clearly see what good boat handling looks like and understand how to repeat it.

Feedback and Assessment

Learn how to give constructive feedback, identify areas for improvement and support students towards the required standard.

Running Powerboat Level 1 and Level 2 Courses

Understand how to deliver RYA Powerboat courses in a structured, safe and engaging way under the supervision of a Principal or Chief Instructor.

Available Course Dates

Choose a date and book online.

23rd-25th March 2027 Book Now

Required Experience

Candidates must have five seasons of logged powerboating experience, preferably across a range of boat types and sizes. Alternatively, candidates who use powerboats as an integral part of their normal full-time occupation may be eligible with one season of experience. You must already be a confident, competent powerboater before attending the instructor course. This course is designed to develop your ability to teach, coach and assess others, rather than to teach the core boat handling skills from scratch. Candidates must also complete and successfully pass the RYA Powerboat Skills Assessment before starting the instructor training course.

Pre-Entry Assessment

All candidates must attend a skills assessment before the RYA Powerboat Instructor Course. The pre-entry assessment is designed to confirm that your personal powerboat handling, seamanship and safety awareness are at the required standard before you begin instructor training. Further details can be found in the RYA Power Schemes Instructor Handbook.

Why Train with Chichester Boat Club?

Becoming an instructor is about more than being a good powerboater. It is about helping other people feel safe, capable and confident on the water. At Chichester Boat Club, our training is practical, supportive and focused on real-world instruction. You will be guided through the fundamentals of teaching, coaching and course delivery, with opportunities to practise, receive feedback and refine your approach throughout the course. Training in Chichester Harbour gives you a varied and valuable environment for developing your instructional style, from close quarters handling and safety briefings to practical demonstrations and student management on the water. Whether you want to teach recreational boaters, support a training centre, develop professionally or share your passion for powerboating, this course gives you the foundation to instruct with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the RYA Powerboat Instructor Course for?

This course is for experienced powerboaters who want to become qualified to teach the RYA Powerboat scheme, including courses up to and including Powerboat Level 2.

You need five seasons of logged powerboating experience, preferably across a range of boat types and sizes. If you use powerboats as an integral part of your normal full-time occupation, one season of experience may be accepted.

Yes. Candidates must successfully complete the RYA Powerboat Skills Assessment before attending the instructor training course.

The pre-entry assessment checks that your personal boat handling, seamanship and safety awareness are at the required standard before you begin instructor training.

The RYA Powerboat Instructor Course takes three days.

Yes. The course is assessed by an independent RYA Trainer on the third day.

On successful completion, you will be qualified to teach up to and including RYA Powerboat Level 2 under the supervision of the Principal or Chief Instructor.

If you hold the RYA Safety Boat Certificate, you may also teach the RYA Safety Boat Course.

The RYA Powerboat Instructor qualification is valid for five years from the date of issue, provided that you maintain a valid first aid certificate.

Yes. You need to arrive with strong personal powerboating skills, but the course is designed to help you develop your teaching, coaching and delivery techniques.

The course is £525 inc VAT.