Over 10,000 people have voluntarily attended the RYA PW training course in the UK, which is widely regarded to be the best in the world. The RYA’s Ellie Williamson explains why getting trained to use PW is a must.

There has been a lot of talk amongst bureaucrats and legislators about safety on the water. A common perception among them is that people should be forced to gain qualifications before they can use a boat or indeed a personal watercraft. It is believed that people are simply too irresponsible to be left to learn how to use their craft correctly and safely off their own backs. However we know that over 10, 000 personal watercraft users have voluntarily taken the RYA PW course, which suggests that the PW community is in fact quite a responsible lot!

The PW course

The RYA’s Personal Watercraft Course has been running for over ten years. Over this time it has become more and more popular as the sport has grown. The course is managed by the RYA’s Chief Powerboat Instructor, Paul Mara, who ensures that the syllabus is kept up to date. He also ensures that training centres and clubs teaching the course are continually conforming to the RYA’s high teaching standards and are using safe and appropriate equipment for the course.

Why take the course

Increasingly UK harbour masters are expecting riders to have completed the course before launching from their slipways, so having the certificate makes life a lot easier. The certificate is also valid across the world allowing you to take your personal watercraft on holiday with you and ride it in foreign waters. However most importantly, the course will teach you how to use your PW safely, responsibly and with confidence, ensuring that you get the best out of your craft.

Who can take the course?

The RYA’s Personal Watercraft course is designed for first time and experienced riders alike. Even if you have been riding your personal watercraft for a while there will still be new skills to learn from the course, be it low speed control, orientation at sea or any of the other skills covered in the course.

Is there an age limit?

Children aged between 12 and 16 can take the course. Their certificates will be endorsed to show that they must use PWs only under the supervision of a responsible adult.

Where can I take the course?

There is a list of RYA training centres and clubs that teach the RYA PW course under the same ADVICE section of www.jetskier.co.uk.

If you have a specific centre or club in mind, you can check if they are RYA recognised by looking for the RYA’s tick logo. It’s your guarantee that you will be taught by an experienced, qualified instructor on a suitable PW in groups of no more than six people.

All the necessary equipment will be provided however, if you have it, you can use your own equipment. The same goes for the craft, you can use the centre’s or your own.

Price varies from centre to centre but you can expect to pay around £100 - £200 each. Courses can be taken outside the UK at one of the RYA’s 200 plus overseas centres which are also listed on the RYA’s website.

RYA Vouchers are given towards the cost of the course when purchasing a new PW

All new PWs are sold with an RYA voucher to use towards the cost of a PW course. Additional vouchers can also be purchased from the RYA allowing the cost of a course to be given as a gift. Vouchers can also be used to purchase RYA publications such as the new RYA Introduction to Personal Watercraft book.

Most courses take place over one day and cover all the skills needed to ride your craft safely and confidently.