Junior & Youth Powerboating

CAN CHILDREN JOIN A RYA POWERBOAT COURSE?

Youth and Junior Powerboat course are a great introduction for young boaters, teaching them valuable seamanship, navigation and boat handling skills. Our two, entry-level powerboat courses, Level 1 and Level 2, are suitable for children as follows.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE FOR RYA POWERBOAT COURSES?

• Junior Powerboat courses (Level 1) are for 8-11 year olds
• Youth Powerboat courses (Level 1 & 2) are for 12-15 year olds
• Adult Powerboat Courses are for 16+ year old
• Family Powerboat Courses are for any combination of ages (over 7)

PRE REQUISITES FOR JUNIOR & YOUTH RYA POWERBOATING?

• Minimum age as above
• No experience required
• Water confident

JUNIOR & YOUTH RYA POWERBOAT COURSE CONTENT

Children’s Powerboat Training courses are usually scheduled in school holidays. The course makes use of our tiller steered Rigiflex boats and our wheel steered RIBs, the group works through the same syllabus as the adult courses however the other students on board are of similar age and the Instructor pitches the course at the appropriate age group.

 

INCLUDED IN OUR RYA JUNIOR & YOUTH POWERBOAT COURSES:

NOT INCLUDED IN OUR KIDS POWERBOAT COURSES

• Wet weather gear (this can be hired for £5 a day)
• Lunch please bring a packed lunch

Own Boat Tuition

We can run this course on board your own boat instead of ours. We can train 1-3 powerboaters at a time and we can bespoke the course around your boat and your likely usage.

RYA CHILDREN’S POWERBOAT COURSE RATIOS

This course will run with no more than 3 students per boat/instructor, sometimes less.

WHY CHOOSE SWAC FOR YOUR CHILD’S POWERBOAT COURSE?

Learning to drive a powerboat is an exciting milestone, but choosing the right training centre is just as important as choosing the right course. At Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC), we combine outstanding facilities, highly qualified instructors and a genuine passion for developing young people on the water. We are the only training centre in Southampton that is truly set up for children’s courses which is why Southampton scout groups, primary and secondary schools all visit us regulary.

Specialist Youth Instructors

Children are not simply taught to pass a course—they are taught to become safe, confident and responsible powerboaters. Our instructors have extensive experience working with young people and understand how to make learning enjoyable while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Safeguarding

Our staff are DBS checked and all undergo safeguarding training

Purpose-Built Training Boats

Young people learn using modern training boats that are reliable, stable and well suited to novice helms. Every boat is maintained to a high standard and fitted with the appropriate safety equipment. We are the only training centre in Southampton that has purchased a fleet of boats suited to children rather than adults. We also have the largest and most varied fleet of any training centre in Southampton

Adapted Courses

While the youth and junior courses follow the sam syallabse as adult courses we have adapted the courses to suit younger students.

A Real Working Watersports Centre

Unlike centres that only operate occasionally, SWAC is one of the South Coast’s busiest watersports centres. Children learn alongside sailing, paddlesports and rescue activities, giving them exposure to a vibrant maritime environment and helping them develop good seamanship from day one.

Adventure Activity License.

By law adventure activity centres require a license to deliver most water sports to under 18s.  While power boating is exempt from requiring a license, we are licensed for out other activities. In fact we are the only sailing and powerboatoing centre in Southampton that holds a license and are inspected by the UK government to run adventure activity for children.  You can view Southampton license holders on the HSE website.

Progression All the Way to Instructor

For many young people, a Powerboat Level 2 course is just the beginning. SWAC offers a complete pathway through Intermediate and Advanced Powerboat, Safety Boat, Instructor qualifications and even commercial training for those considering a career on the water.

Free Parking and Great Facilities

Parents appreciate our free parking, comfortable classrooms, changing facilities and waterfront location, making dropping off and collecting children straightforward and stress-free.

Southampton’s Largest Watersports Centre

SWAC is more than a training school. Our vision is to reconnect Southampton with its waterfront by giving more young people the opportunity to enjoy sailing, powerboating and paddlesports. Every child who trains with us becomes part of that story.

Confidence for Life

Whether your child wants to enjoy boating with the family, build confidence on the water, or take their first steps towards a maritime career, SWAC provides professional instruction in a friendly, supportive environment where safety, enjoyment and learning always come first.