RYA Inland Waterway Helmsmans Certificate

I recently spent a most excellent day with Andy from Willow Wren Training in Rubgy and two other "learners", on the practical boat handling course which leads to the above certificate. I'd been meaning to do the IWH course for a while. Although I've had a narrowboat for nearly two years now, I've never had to do a lock - all my cruising has been done either on the Lancaster Canal or the regions of the southern Grand Union around the Slough and Paddington arms - areas not noted for lots of locks! However, I felt I'd rather try out lots of new things in someone elses boat and learn to do them properly. Willow Wren were in the same tent as the RBOA at the Crick stand and a chat with Andy had me convinced. One of the factors in my decision was the fact that Andy wrote the book which accompanies the course.

The day was bright and sunny and I arrived in Rubgy, with sufficient time to spare to nip in to Tesco for a good cooked breakfast to set me up for the day - a tactic I'd highly recommend.

The first part of the day proper was spent meeting Linda and Tony (the other two people on the course that day) and discussing our hopes and expectations. Andy then went through what we would actually be doing during the day ahead and asked a few questions to make sure we had actually read the course book! (It's sent out when you book so you should have plenty of time for study!)

Then it was out to the boat to look at where everything was and carry out a few checks on things like oil and coolant levels and the weed hatch (difficult since our particular boat didn't have one (but you can still get at prop - it's a very clever arrangement!))

The first section is a challenge in itself since the arm from Willow Wren on to the main line of the canal is narrow and twisty with boats moored all along it. There is then a blind exit out of the arm before you go straight over in to the first winding hole. Since I'd been handling the stern line rather than the tiller, I got to watch this with great interest.

The pictures were taken on a different day. There were more boats, honest!)

As the day progressed we all had a go at steering (and experiencing things like bank effect, the effects of other boats passing, the wind and so on), coming in to moor, moving off and winding. The main guideline for all of these was essentially to get near where you want to be, stop the boat and then proceed in a sensible, controlled manner.

In places the Rugby Arm is very narrow which makes factors such as bank effect and the interaction between passing boats very obvious and allows you to see "where the water's going" easily. Although these effects are well described in the course book, there's nothing like feeling them for yourself. They are also factors you might not notice quite so much on a broad canal like the Grand Union although they're still there and can still be important

The lunch provided was a superb selection of home-made sandwiches, cakes and other savoury and sweet goodies.

The weather was excellent all day - sunny, bright, very warm but with some wind to catch you out in exposed places (or when winding in a marina as I had to)

Just as we were about to turn back in to the Willow Wren arm we were able to witness a classic example of what not to do. Another boat (a hire boat from another company in fact) came out from the end of the arm at speed and went straight in to the opposite bank. The child stood on the roof managed not to fall in, which was good and the gentleman steering (aiming?) the boat only took a couple of attempts to get properly out of the arm pointing in the right direction to rush off again.

(In the picture, you'd turn left under the bridge to get to Willow Wren. The winding hole is on the right just behind the sign.)

The only possible let down, is that the certificate you get is a postcard sized thing, attached to an invitation to join the RYA for a discount which by spooky co-incidence is the same as the members price for a proper presentation certificate. This is presumably a commercial decision by the RYA to try and encourage new members. Hasn't worked with me yet but then I don't have room to hang a certificate and like many I'm already a member of more organisations that I can remember!

You can find details of all the RYA's recognised teaching establishments on this page of the RYA web site or visit Willow Wren's training page.
All the major magazines also carry a number of adverts which may be of use in finding a suitable establishment.

It is worth checking what sort of boat and waterway you'll be using for the course. If you have a big boat and mainly cruise canals, a course on a small boat on a river may not be the most useful for you unless you particularly want the experience. Also, some trainers are willing to come to you, taking you out on your boat in your normal cruising area. This may be ideal if there are a couple of you who want to build confidence in your ability to handle your own particular boat.