Experience a wide range of inland waterway experiences as part of your training
Whether you want to become qualified to take your group out on the water, or brush up on your skills as a boat owner, the South West Herts Narrowboat Trust has a range of accredited courses on offer.
The trust is registered with the Royal Yacht Association (RYA) as an approved training centre for their Inland Waterways Helmsman and Crew qualifications – so you can be sure that any course you sign up for meets the highest standards in the industry.
Our training team at the Southwest Herts Narrowboat Trust consists of six dedicated RYA instructors. They are passionate about delivering our RYA Inland Waterways Training Programme, ensuring that participants gain the skills and knowledge needed for safe and enjoyable boating. Each instructor brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to fostering a love for the waterways, making our training sessions both informative and engaging.
Happy trainees
Don't take our word for it. See what our previous trainees say about us...
“Instruction was clear and concise. We are going on a narrowboat holiday and this was a perfect introduction. Thoroughly enjoyable and informative. I would wholeheartedly recommend booking the course”
S R
Autumn 2024
“Thank you SO much to the team who were prefect hosts and trainers. They created a lovely safe space to learn and make mistakes with the perfect pace and level of intensity – as well as being a sheer joy to spend two days with, and an absolute mine of information. We're so glad we came.”
Helen
Spring 2024
“All syllabus covered efficiently, along with bonus tips and tricks for general boating use. Great instructors. The hands on approach to learning made the course easy to get to grips with”
Will
Summer 2023
“Course was excellent and gave valuable practical information. Instructors on both days were superb.”
Michael
Autumn 2024
training courses
A selection of course to suit all needs and abilities
RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman
The RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman course will "give students confidence to helm a vessel safely on inland waterways". The first day is mainly instruction and the second is mainly practical when the students are given the opportunity to display their understanding and abilities.
Duration: 2 days
Topics: boat care and handling, lock operation, rope work, personal and boat safety and care of the environment.
Cost: £320 [or £160 if booked with boat hire]
RYA Inland Waterways Crew
The RYA Inland Waterways Crew course is a one-day course ideal for introducing friends or family members to crewing a vessel on the inland waterways, and for giving them an understanding of how they can assist the helm. Our instructor will cover the basics of being a useful crew member.
Duration: 1 day
Topics: personal safety, communication on board, throwing a mooring line, some basic boat handling, helping in locking operations, how to be a good look out, what to do in an emergency and looking after the environment.
Cost: £160
Boat owner training
Whether you are brand new to boating or have been on the water for a while, RYA Own-boat tuition offers the opportunity to earn your RYA Inland Waterways qualification using your own vessel.
Our own boat tuition program allows us to adapt training courses around the needs of the client in line with the RYA syllabus.
Duration: 2 days
Topics: Boating safety, pre-start engine checks, ropework and knots, boat control, getting underway, slowing down, holding and stopping, mooring, turning, locks and using them safely, navigating bridges and tunnels.
Price Guide: £695 for 1 person, £1095 for 2 persons. Full price on request based on location and needs.
To make an enquiry please email ownboattraining@swhertsnarrowboat.org.uk