Junior Powerboating course at Ripon Sailing Club

Junior Powerboating course at Ripon Sailing Club © Ian Smith

Ripon Sailing Club celebrated its recent grant award for an additional boat for safety and coaching with the running of its first Junior Powerboating course.

The 1 day course took place on 29 October 2016 and was led by Bernard Clark, Ian Smith and Andy Hague, all of whom are volunteer Powerboat Instructors at the club. A total of 8 participants spent the day learning the skills needed to effectively drive and control powered craft, learning how to come alongside, pick up moorings and drive at slow and fast speed. All 8 participants were awarded their RYA Powerboat Level 1 certificate at the end of the day together. Participants and Instructors were also presented with one of the club's newly created 'sew on' Powerboat skill badges. A further course will be held in the run up to Christmas with another 8 participants able to take part and it looks like this course will quickly fill up based on the demand already shown!

Chief Powerboat Instructor and Club Commodore Bernard Clark said 'teaching our members – whatever their age – how to drive our powered craft safely and effectively is an essential part of running the club. We have huge demands for safety cover for our programme of racing and coaching events and each year we see more of our members recognising the value of the formal RYA programmes. This PB1 programme breaks new ground for us but it is all part of being a Champion Club and valuing the input our junior and youth members make to the club.'

The club is a recognised RYA Teaching Establishment and runs powerboat and dinghy sailing courses throughout the year for the members. Further programmes of coaching and skill development provide support to those who have completed a formal training programme but want to develop their skills further. The recent grant application will enable the club to support the coaching and skill development programme and help develop it further.