After years of discussion the club decided to take the plunge this year and apply to become an RYA training centre. After months of preparation and creating operating procedures, training personnel and ensuring that the club’s facilities were up to standard we finally received recognition in September. Retention of this recognition is now dependent upon us passing an annual inspection where the facilities and instructional standards will be closely examined.

What does this actually mean to us?

It means that we have been recognised as being able to offer professional training in the following subjects:

Practical

Powerboat training from basic through to Advanced, including instructor training.

Personal Water Craft proficiency course

Safety Boat

Shorebased

First Aid

SRC Radio

Basic Navigation and Safety

Day Skipper Theory

Who are the RYA?

Formed in 1875 as the Yacht Racing Association, it became the Royal Yachting Association in 1952. It remains constituted as a membership association, with a Council of elected volunteers as its supreme policy-making body. It administers the international rules of sailing and all powerboat racing within the UK. The RYA works widely with government and other organisations from the public, private, media and not for profit sectors.  It represents members’ interests on over 50 statutory and consultative committees in the UK and internationally.  It is widely held to be amongst the best-run and most progressive of all the UK sport’s national governing bodies. It is also the provider of the world’s best recognised sailing qualifications with many countries adopting their syllabi. They are constantly reviewing the course contents to ensure that they always remain relevant. All their instructors have had to prove they have high personal standards to obtain their instructor qualification and then have to be recommended every five years to retain it. Trainers, who can run instructor courses, have had to be initially nominated, passed a strenuous pre-assessment course and then a four day assessment before being appointed. They are appointed on an annual basis and have to re-qualify by assessment every five years. The RYA demand that all their instructors, coaches and trainers maintain their high standards and will not hesitate from removing their instructor qualifications if they are found not to have done so. This means that anybody enrolling on any RYA course with an RYA training centre can expect to receive high class, relevant training at a very affordable price.

Why train with Allhallows Yacht Club?

Allhallows Yacht Club was created in 1964 to help the local community enjoy their leisure time by utilising one of the best local natural facilities, the Thames Estuary. It evolved from a dinghy sailing club to powerboats and water skiing, and has established itself as one of the country’s foremost powerboating clubs hosting both national and international racing. With representation on RYA committees they are instrumental in setting the racing rules, therefore safety and professionalism is uppermost in all their policies. Being a club they can offer the camaraderie and social climate which is not possible when training with a commercial school.

The location of the club, directly opposite Leigh on Sea, Essex, means that it is ideally suited to exploit one of the two best training locations in England. The Thames estuary and River Medway offers all of the facilities required to run any course without long transit times.

What is the right course for me?

Most RYA practical courses are either of one or two day’s duration. The idea being that they can be completed in a weekend.

Powerboating/PWC

Level 1 – Start Powerboating

A one day course offering a practical introduction to powerboating. It assumes no prior knowledge and normally is used as a taster course. Minimum age 8, however the club will not offer training to anybody under the age of 12.

Cost – please contact us for details

Minimum 3 persons per course

Level 2 – National Powerboat Certificate

A two day course, incorporating the complete level one syllabus, and provides the skills and background knowledge needed by the competent powerboat driver and is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age 12.

Cost £175.00 (AYC members -10%)

Minimum 3 persons per course

Direct assessment for experienced powerboat drivers.

It is possible for experienced ( a minimum of one full season’s powerboat handling experience) to obtain a level two certificate without completing a two day course. They can attend a half day’s assessment where their practical boat handling skills and their knowledge of the theory subjects of the level two syllabus will be examined. There is no tuition on this assessment.

Cost – please contact us for details

Intermediate Powerboat Certificate

A two day course covering practical use of pilotage and passage planning by day on coastal waters, using both traditional and electronic navigational techniques. Before attempting this course you should be competent to the standard of level two powerboat, and it is strongly recommended that you hold a current first aid certificate and a VHF operator’s certificate. Minimum age 16.

Cost £175.00 (AYC members -10%)

Minimum 3 persons per course

Advanced Powerboat Certificate

A two day, and night, course covering the skills and background knowledge needed by powerboat drivers operating in coastal waters, in more demanding conditions. You must be competent to the level of the Intermediate Powerboat Certificate with a thorough knowledge of navigation and chartwork to the level of the Day Skipper Shorebased certificate, and hold a first aid certificate and a VHF operator’s certificate. Minimum age 17.

Cost £225.00 (AYC members -10%)

Minimum 3 persons per course

Safety Boat Certificate

A two day course providing the skills required when acting as an escort craft or safety boat for various craft from windsurfers to powerboats for racing or training activities. You must hold a level two powerboat certificate prior to attending this course. Minimum age 16.

Cost £125.00 (AYC members -10%)

Minimum 3 persons per course

Personal Watercraft Proficiency Certificate.

A one day course and provides the skills and background knowledge needed by the competent personal watercraft driver. No prior knowledge is required. Minimum age 12. Normally carried out on your own PWC. Insurance companies are increasingly requiring PWC owners to obtain this qualification, and it is also a requirement for continuing to operate a PWC from Allhallows Yacht Club.

Cost £125.00 (AYC members -10%)

Minimum 2 persons/maximum 6 persons per course. One to one tuition can be arranged, please contact us for costs.

SHOREBASED

First Aid Course

A one day course covering all aspects of basic life support and casualty management. It deals with many of the first aid issues that may be encountered whilst at sea. This is a practical course with lots of student participation. A lot of time is spent practicing resuscitation on manikins and dealing with simulated incidents. No previous knowledge is required.

Cost £50.00 (AYC members -10%)

SRC Radio

A one-day course covering all aspects of Marine VHF radio operation including GMDSS. Much of the course is practical using simulators and group work. At the end of the day there is a short written test to confirm your understanding of the course. Upon successful completion you will be issued with an Operator’s licence allowing you to operate a marine VHF radio. (A licence fee is payable to the RYA for this). A small amount of pre-course study is needed.

Cost £50.00 (AYC members -10%) + licence fee payable to RYA

Basic Navigation and Safety

A two day course covering charts and publications, safety, engine checks, buoyage, tidal awareness, visual and electronic navigation, pilotage, rules of the road, anchoring, weather forecasts and passage planning. It is primarily aimed at those groups who don’t really need the detailed knowledge given in the Day Skipper Theory course. No previous knowledge is required.

Cost £120.00 (AYC members -10%)

Day Skipper Theory

A 40 hour study course thorough introduction to chartwork, navigation, tides and tidal streams, GPS & chartplotters, compass work, passage planning, safety at sea, parts of the boat, buoyage, collision regulations, lights & shapes, ropework and weather. There are three exam papers at the end. This qualification is required for anybody wishing to take the Advanced Powerboat certificate. No previous knowledge is required.

Cost £250.00 (AYC members -10%)

The courses listed above are RYA courses which the club is authorised to offer. We are also able to offer  bespoke training to suit your needs. Contact us on training@allhallowsyachtclub.net and tell us what you want and we will do our best to arrange something for you.

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