The RYA PWC Instructor Course is a three-day instructor qualification for experienced Personal Watercraft riders who want to teach the RYA PWC Proficiency Course and, where appropriate, the RYA PWC Safety Course aboard recognised superyachts. Chieftain runs regular PWC Instructor Courses from Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC).
What does the RYA PWC Instructor qualification allow me to do?
To prepare potential RYA Personal Watercraft (PWC) Instructors with the skills and knowledge required to teach the RYA Personal Watercraft Courses.
Once qualified you will be able to run the PWC Proficiency (and ICC) Course at Centres in the UK and abroad and teach the RYA PWC Safety Course onboard superyachts globally.
Personal Watercraft are also commonly referred to as PWCs, jet skis or water scooters, although the official RYA qualification is the RYA PWC Instructor qualification.
RYA PWC Instructor Courses in Southampton
We run regular RYA PWC Instructor Courses from Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC). Our Southampton location is easily accessible from across the South Coast and provides direct access to both sheltered and open water. Courses are suitable for UK candidates as well as watersports instructors and superyacht crew travelling to Southampton specifically for instructor training.
How long is the RYA PWC Instructor Course?
This course takes 3 days (0915 to 1700 hrs) with some evening homework on the first two nights and some pre-course preparation which we send out with your booking confirmation.
RYA PWC Instructor Course Prerequisites:
Jet Ski instructors come from a wide variety of backgrounds and levels of experience. The requirements below are the minimum needed to attend RYA PWC Instructor Training.
- Minimum age of 18 years (by last day of the course)
- Minimum 2 years experience of driving PWC
- RYA First Aid Certificate or equivalent
- RYA PWC Proficiency Certificate
- RYA Membership
What will I learn on the RYA PWC Instructor Course?
The course includes teaching techniques afloat and ashore in order to prepare you to instruct at an RYA Training Centre. The emphasis is on how to teach the relevant skills and how to brief and debrief students. The course also includes, giving instruction, setting up exercises, safety cover, basic trouble shooting, lots of practical handling, capsize drill, supporting knowledge, running your own centre and fleet management.
The course is run regularly from Southampton. Alternatively we can run PWC Instructor training onboard your super yacht as a stand alone course or alongside other Training.
Included In The Course:
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- Shared use of our skis
- Instruction
- Loan of an impact vest
- Safety cover
- Free parking
Not Included In The Course:
- Use of a wetsuit and spray top (£5 to hire per day)
- Lunch
Why Choose Chieftain Training For The PWC Instructor Course?
Chieftain’s Principal, Doug Innes, is an RYA PWC Instructor Trainer and has been training RYA PWC Instructors for more than 15 years. Our instructor courses are therefore delivered by trainers who not only teach PWC operation but train and assess the instructors who deliver the RYA scheme. Doug ran some of the first ever super-yacht specific PWC Instructor courses. He is supported by a diverse and experienced team of RYA Instructors and Instructor Trainers.
PWC Instructor Training is run from our purpose-built waterfront location, Southampton Water Activity Centre (SWAC), where we benefit from two large private slipways, extensive changing facilities, a wide range of training resources, modern PWCs and dedicated safety-boats. The facility is genuinely unrivalled by any other PWC Centre in Southampton. The River Itchen gives us sheltered water for teaching and instructional exercises, while Southampton Water is only a short transit away and provides the space required for higher-speed PWC handling.
RYA PWC Instructor Course – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an RYA PWC Instructor?
An RYA PWC Instructor is qualified to teach the RYA Personal Watercraft Proficiency Course at recognised RYA Training Centres. Suitably authorised instructors may also teach the RYA PWC Safety Course onboard recognised superyachts.
How do I become an RYA PWC Instructor?
You need to meet the RYA pre-course requirements and successfully complete the three-day RYA PWC Instructor Course. The course develops both your personal PWC handling and your ability to teach PWC skills safely and effectively.
Is the RYA PWC Instructor qualification recognised internationally?
RYA qualifications are the most widely recognised internationally. Qualified PWC Instructors may teach through recognised RYA Training Centres in the UK and overseas, subject to the requirements and recognition of the individual training centre.
What are the prerequisites for the RYA PWC Instructor Course?
Candidates must meet the current RYA requirements before attending, including 2 years PWC experience, the RYA PWC Proficiency Certificate and a suitable First Aid qualification. The exact requirements (above) should always be checked before booking.
Do I need to be an experienced PWC rider?
Yes. This is an instructor course rather than a beginner riding course. Candidates should already be confident and competent operating a PWC before attending.
What can I teach once I become an RYA PWC Instructor?
Successful candidates can teach the RYA PWC Proficiency Course at recognised RYA Training Centres. Depending on the circumstances and recognition held, the qualification can also be used to teach the RYA PWC Safety Course onboard superyachts.
Can I become a Jet Ski Instructor with this qualification?
Yes. “Jet ski” is commonly used as a general term for a Personal Watercraft, although the official qualification is called the RYA PWC Instructor qualification.
Is the RYA PWC Instructor qualification useful for superyacht crew?
Yes. It is particularly useful for deck crew and watersports staff working on yachts that carry PWCs, and it can allow suitably authorised instructors to deliver the RYA PWC Safety Course onboard recognised superyachts.
Where is the RYA PWC Instructor Course held?
Chieftain runs RYA PWC Instructor training from Southampton Water Activities Centre (SWAC), with access to the River Itchen and Southampton Water for a mixture of sheltered teaching areas and more open-water PWC handling.
Do I need to bring my own jet ski / PWC?
No. Shared use of our skis is normally included as part of the course, so candidates do not need to own a Personal Watercraft.
Is there an assessment on the RYA PWC Instructor Course?
Yes. Candidates are assessed throughout the course on their personal PWC skills, teaching ability, safety awareness and overall suitability to instruct within the RYA scheme.
What should I do if I do not yet meet the prerequisites?
If you still need your RYA PWC Proficiency Certificate or further PWC experience, you should complete these before attending the instructor course.