Example PWC competency course timetable:

KEY:- Blue - Afloat, Black - Ashore, Red - Practical

Points to remember: - Maximum ratios for an RYA course are 2 students per (sit-down) PWC (or 1 student per stand-up), 3 PWCs per instructor with a maximum of 6 students, instructor must be onboard a safety craft or a students PWC at all times when students are afloat. The PW course is 80% practical.

Timings           Activity

9:30am                 Introduction - administration, medical docs, site tour

                              Intro to the PW & safety kit

                              Personal safety gear & buoyancy

                              Pre-departure checks (trailer etc.)

                              Pre-launch checks, Launching

10:30am               Layout & controls, Familiarisation, Byelaws

                             Boarding in shallow water, getting underway

                             Familiarisation, Stopping distances

                             Local regulations, Byelaws, Courtesy to others

11:30am              Introduction to basic IRPCS

                             Slow speed (w/instructor onboard?) - Box course

                            Man overboard 

                            Coming alongside a craft/pontoon or floating dock

                             Introduction to Planing speed w/instructor onboard - (Box course)

                             First planing speed solo ride - (Box course)

                             Planing speed progression: -  1) Slow straights & corners 2) Fast straights, slow corners                                (box course)                                                                 

                            Knots

12:30pm            Towing, Man overboard

1:15pm              LUNCH - (IRPCS refresh)

1:45pm              Buoyage, Tides & Tidal streams, Weather, Intro to charts, Use of                                         a                                 compass

2:30pm              Creating a route plan (basic navigation)

2:30pm               On-water follow a planned route, Use of a compass afloat

                            IRPCS afloat

                            Planing speed progression:-  3) Fast straights, fast corners (box course)

                            Planing speed slalom exercise

                            Reboarding from deep water 

                            Capsize demonstration

 4:30pm             Recovery, Aftercare & Maintenance (PW & trailer)

4:50pm              Change & pack up

                            Certificates issuing & Feedback forms

5pm                    HOME