Education and Training with Us

Education and training volunteers is very important to ensuring our continued existence and also raising the safety standards at many events across the country

What qualifications can I gain?

We regularly offer heavily subsidised training programmes to help our volunteers gain experience and the increasingly importantly qualifications.

Each year we arrange a number of Royal Yachting Association courses that can lead to commercially recognised qualifications, but also Rescue 3 Swift Water ticket, First Aid First Responder, and VHF Operator Licences.

To date our members have gained  RYA Safety Boat Certificates, Power Boat Instructors, First Aid Certificates and in 2010 we will be offering the same again plus VHF certificates, RYA Powerboat Level 2 Certificates, and Rescue 3 Swift Water Technicians.

Powerboat Handling and Event Management Experience

We recognise that time on the water honing skills in a variety of boats, locations and conditions greatly adds to the confidence and skills of our volunteers. Our experienced skippers will always try and give volunteers plenty of time behind the wheel and answer as many questions as possible to make a day on the water a fun, learning experience.

NER Training Weekend 1.0 - Plymouth

Our first training weekend was a great success with 18 people gaining qualifications over the 3 days.

 More photos are available here on the event blog

NER Training Weekend 2.0 - Bawdsey

Our Second Training Weekend focused on First Aid and we had 10 students successfully complete their Emergency First Aid for Appointed Persons Course. Then on Sunday we went for a play in boats.

Those wishing to gain more experience in event or race management can work as part of the crew of a committee boat or be part of the Safety Officers Team.

Our Shallow Water and Surf Rescue Thundercat needs special skills that take time to master but the learning experience is exciting!