water-based training courses
We run courses for enthusiasts and professionals covering many aspects of the outdoors and related activities. Courses are endorsed by the relevant national governing body or professional Institution.
They include both personal skill development and coaching courses, many of which are used in a school or voluntary sector environment.
Water-based courses
This course is designed for those wanting to cruise the UK's non tidal lakes, rivers and canals.
It deals specifically with the requirements of the inland boater, whether they be a narrow boat owner or cruiser enthusiast.
It assumes no prior knowledge and so is ideal for the first timer, yet the more seasoned boater will learn plenty of tricks of the trade and tips to make their boating safer and more enjoyable.
Courses take place over two days (no overnight) on SOLD's wide beam canal boat moored in Guildford.
View dates & book
Come and join us for an evening of fun and friendly instruction led paddling on our beautiful sheltered water lake.
This is a relaxed evening of paddlesports whether this is your first experience on a paddleboard, open canoe or kayak, or if you are an experienced paddler, we welcome you to come along and enjoy.
Time: 6pm to 8pm
If you're interested please contact outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk
Whether you are taking your first steps afloat or you want to develop your skills, we have a dedicated team of instructors and coaches to look after you and a range of small boats for you to try out. All our courses are run to the guidelines and recommendations of the Royal Yachting Association, the National Governing Body for sailing in Britain.
This short course is aimed at getting you sailing your own boat confidently.
You won't learn everything in a weekend, but you'll learn the basics and get a good sense of achievement from being able to helm your own boat. You'll be introduced to the basic sailing techniques in the Pico or Bahia.
The minimum age for this course is 16 years.
Governing Body and for more info: Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
This course takes place at Thames Young Mariners, which is located in Richmond, near London.
There's a maximum of six participants per instructor.
Minimum course duration: 2 days
All course materials are included in the price.
Bespoke Courses: please email outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk if you are interested in a bespoke course.
If there are no dates available to book please email outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk to express an interest in this course.
An ideal follow up for those who have completed the Start Sailing course or who have some previous sailing experience. We aim to give you in-depth tuition in sailing the boat effectively around a triangular course and some basic seamanship manoeuvres.
By the end of the course you should be well on the way to becoming a competent sailor in good conditions.
The minimum age for this course is 16 years.
Governing Body: Royal Yachting Association
For more info: www.rya.org.uk
This course takes place at Thames Young Mariners, which is located in Richmond, near London.
There's a maximum of six participants per instructor.
Minimum course duration: 2 days
All course materials are included in the price.
Bespoke Courses: please email outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk if you are interested in a bespoke course.
If there are no dates available to book please email outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk to express an interest in this course.
Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course aims to provide paddlers with the key safety and rescue skills required to operate safely and to be able to deal with common problems in a sheltered water environment.
Throughout the course, candidates will explore simple strategies and safe skills that can provide the tools to solve common paddling issues.
The course is suitable for all ages and great for individuals, aspirant Paddlesport Instructors and groups wanting to expand their safety practices when on the water. The course content focuses on rescuing from the paddlers specific craft and covers equipment, safety frameworks, as well as a range of rescues including contact and towing rescues, self-rescues and deep-water rescues.
The course takes place in the candidates preferred craft.
Pre requisites
Participants need to either hold the Paddle Explore Award or Equivalent Ability, due to the paddling environment and the craft control required to complete the course.
Minimum age: 14 years old (This is a SOLD requirement not Paddle UK)
Find here Paddlesport Safety and Rescue, British Canoeing Awarding Body now Paddle UK, more information about the course.
This award is designed for people whose main focus is to deliver paddlesport taster or starter sessions and short journeys in very sheltered water environments, within the safety management systems of clubs or centres or other organisations.
This qualification will support the instructor with practical skills such as kitting up a group and getting afloat, initial familiarisation activities, games and activities to support learning and how to use mini journeys to support learning, inspire adventure and exploration.
This will be enhanced with support on how these sessions can be delivered in a way that is enjoyable, safe and rewarding.
Pre requisites
Attendees must:
- Have full membership of British Canoeing now Paddle UK
- Register with British Canoeing for this course, now Paddle UK
- Have spent approximately 80 hours paddling on the water prior to attending the Paddlesports Instructor Award course.
- Attend a PSRC (Paddlesport Safety and Rescue course) at least a month before the Paddlesport Instructor course to allow practice time to consolidate skills.
Governing Body and for more information: British Canoeing now Paddle UK
This course takes place at Thames Young Mariners, which is located in Richmond, near London.
Bespoke Courses: please email outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk if you are interested in a bespoke course.
If there are no dates available to book please email outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk to express an interest in this course.
The Paddlesport Leader award is aimed at paddlers wishing to take on formal Leadership responsibilities in benign, sheltered water environments and aims to support leaders to run safe, enjoyable, quality trips based on the groups needs and aspirations.
Paddlers wishing to complete a Paddlesport Leader Assessment are required to register with British Canoeing before they are able to attend the assessment.
It is advisable to do this at least 2-weeks prior to the assessment date. At the point of registration, evidence of the following is required:
- Valid (within 3 years) British Canoeing recognised 1-day First Aid award
- Full British Canoeing Membership
- Registration Fee Payment
You must be aged 16 or over at the time of assessment. Note that you cannot be deemed responsible for leadership by law until you turn 18 years of age.
As well as personal paddling and safety and rescue skills, candidates will be expected to show an understanding of participant focused leadership skills. They will also be expected to present a logbook showing a range of previous experience gained from many journeys and sessions, both as a participant and a leader.
This leader self-analysis tool may help your preparation Leader & Raft Guide Self Analysis - British Canoeing Awarding Body
This course takes place at Thames Young Mariners, which is located in Richmond, near London.
If there are no dates available to book please email outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk to express an interest in this course.
We need mock students for Paddlesport Leader Assessments. This is a free day of paddling and tuition. This is an excellent insight into the assessment for those working towards the Paddlesports Leader Assessment.
This two-day powerboat course includes taking out a variety of boats and developing basic seamanship skills such as handling the boat safely under power in different situations.
The course covers:
- how to launch and recover from a trailer.
- high and low-speed manoeuvres.
- seamanship skills such as man-overboard, recovery and anchoring.
- shore-based sessions which include instruction in engine maintenance and legal requirements.
The powerboat level two will enable you to gain the International Certificate of Competence that is often needed when boating abroad. It is also a requirement for most kinds of work involving powerboats.
This course does not include the CEVNI paper.
Requirements: Minimum age is 12 years. For anyone under 16 the certificate will be endorsed "the holder should only use a powerboat under the strict supervision of a competent adult".
Governing Body and for more info: Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
This course takes place at Thames Young Mariners, which is located in Richmond, near London.
There's a maximum of three participants per instructor.
Minimum course duration: 2 days
All course materials are included in the price.
Bespoke Courses: please email outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk if you are interested in a bespoke course.
If there are no dates available to book please email outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk to express an interest in this course.
For those wishing to develop their powerboat driving, the safety boat course is designed to train competent powerboat drivers in fleet rescue and the techniques required when rescuing small craft such as dinghies, windsurfers, canoes and kayaks. It is useful for those wishing to assist with rescue cover at their sailing club or scout group.
Participants should have driven powerboats for at least one season once a week or two years on and off.
Requirements: Minimum age is 16 years with Powerboat Level 2 certificate.
Governing Body and for more info: Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
This course takes place at Thames Young Mariners, which is located in Richmond, near London.
There's a maximum of six participants per instructor.
Minimum course duration: 2 days
All course materials are included in the price.
Please email outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk to express an interest in this course or if you are interested in bespoke courses.
If there is a group of you that would like to undertake a course together please email outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk.
Are you or do you have staff operating in, on or around the water?
This occupational aquatic safety qualification (ASQ) will develop confidence and competence, enabling staff to make informed decisions when conducting waterside activities.
The vocational qualification, ASQ, has many linked modules:
- structured to meet the needs of industry
- help organisations to meet their legal duties
- can be tailored to meet specific industry needs.
The ASQ has three levels:
- Level 1 core module is called Aquatic Safety Principles.
- It provides the knowledge for good water safety and basic rescue skills. This is a 4 hour course.
- Level 2 comprises a suite of environment specific modules, that build on the foundations developed in Level 1.
- The modules focus on environmental knowledge. They cover activity hazards and the use of special equipment. Level 2 modules are 3 hours in length. At Thames Young Mariners we deliver:
- Inland Water and Flood (DEFRA Compliant)
- Level 3 consists of high-level deep-water rescue modules.
- They give workers and leaders in-water rescue skills and supervision. This lets them risk assess and do emergency water rescues. Level 3 modules are 3 hours in length.
The specialist modules we deliver at Thames Young Mariners are:
- Deep Water Rescue – emergency response and casualty management
- Open Water Swimming - supervising organised open water swimming sessions
We can deliver this course on-site at Thames Young Mariners or at a suitable work base location to your team.
To arrange your course, email us at outdoor.training@surreycc.gov.uk
