Rose Hogan
We had a fantastic time! The Skipper was brilliant and carefully tailored the experience to suit all the passengers needs. It was safe, exciting, interesting and a lot of fun. Thank you
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The RYA Powerboat Level 1 is a one-day practical introduction to powerboat handling and safety. You'll work on Seawake training RIBs from Menai Bridge, covering launching, boat preparation and the basics of handling in sheltered water. Classroom time sits close to the moorings so you can spend as much of the day as possible on the water.
You'll meet your instructor at 9:00, have tea or coffee and talk through the day before getting kitted up. From about 9:30 to 12:00 you're on a training RIB, looking at how to set the boat up before launching, recover onto a trailer by driving and winching, and talk through hazards that can arise on a slipway. Then it is kill cord, starting and stopping the engine, steer then gear, and how wind and tide affect the boat.
Lunch sits between 12:00 and 14:00, with classroom time on the theory needed to operate a powerboat safely, including lifejackets, the main knots used on boats, local byelaws, insurance and awareness of other water users. From 14:00 to 17:00 you're back on the water for picking up and mooring a buoy, leaving and parking alongside a pier, pontoon or wall, tying the boat up correctly, and towing. We review the day from 17:00 to 17:30.
Our training centre is in Menai Bridge on the Isle of Anglesey, with a fully equipped classroom and access to the training boats within a five-minute walk. Menai Bridge offers generally sheltered waters that are ideal for a first day, and the boats can reach the Menai Strait on most states of the tide.
They say if you can navigate the Menai Strait then it sets you in good stead for any navigational boating challenge. During the day you'll see the sights of the area, including the iconic bridges, and the classroom is in the town itself, easily reached by taking junction 8A onto the A5 off the A55 at Britannia Bridge. There is parking across the road in a public Pay and Display car park.
You do not need any prior boating experience. Level 1 is a first day on the water for adults and for younger boaters, and it is open from 8 years old when a parent or guardian is with them.
Come ready for spray and wind. Wear warm layers, a waterproof coat and non-slip footwear, and bring lunch unless you plan to buy it locally. We supply lifejackets and buoyancy aids.
What makes a Seawake Powerboat Training course different is our team. We are all enthusiastic powerboaters with a vast amount of experience on the water, and our instructors teach using RYA guidelines, their own experience and their local knowledge of the Menai Strait and North Wales coast.
Theory is important, but we know that getting out on the water is the fun part for most. Classroom activities for Level 1 are done in our classroom close to where we moor the boats, so we can get maximum time on the water. Students tell us the relaxed but informative approach puts them at ease straight away.
Level 1 is a one-day practical introduction to powerboat handling and safety. You work on training RIBs from Menai Bridge, covering launching, boat preparation and the basics of handling in sheltered water.
Classroom time sits close to the moorings so you can spend as much of the day as possible on the water. It is written for beginners and for younger boaters who want a first day afloat.
You do not need any prior boating experience. Level 1 is a first day on the water for adults and for younger boaters, and it starts from launching and the kill cord rather than assuming you already helm.
If you have been out as crew before, the day still covers the checks and handling drills properly, so you leave knowing how to set the boat up rather than only sitting in it.
Come ready for spray and wind. Wear warm layers, a waterproof coat and non-slip footwear, and bring lunch unless you plan to buy it locally in Menai Bridge.
Lifejackets and buoyancy aids are supplied. You do not need to bring your own boat or helm kit. A change of clothes is useful if you expect a wet day.
Yes. Level 1 is open from 8 years old when a parent or guardian is with them. It is a first day on the water for younger boaters as well as adults, with the same launching, handling and safety work.
The group stays at three students to one instructor, so there is time to go through the drills at a pace that suits a younger helm. Dress them for spray and wind, the same as you would for yourself.
You train on Seawake RIBs, which are kept for this work and carry the safety kit you need for the day. They are stable enough for a first helm session and still give you a proper feel of wind and tide.
The boats sit a five-minute walk from the classroom in Menai Bridge, so you are not spending the morning on a trailer park. Launching and recovering from a slipway is part of the day.
Safety comes first. If the conditions are not right for a first day on a RIB, the course is moved to another date rather than pushing on in water that is not suitable.
Menai Bridge is generally sheltered, so many days still run. You will hear as early as we can if the plan has to change, and the same syllabus is used on the new date.
Yes. On successful completion you receive the RYA Powerboat Level 1 certificate. It shows you have covered launching, basic handling and the safety work on this one-day introduction.
Level 1 is a first step, not a ticket to take a boat away on your own. Most people then move on to Level 2 when they want the two-day course and ICC eligibility.
The day runs from 9:00 to about 17:30. You meet your instructor for tea or coffee and a plan, then get kitted up before walking down to the boats around 9:30.
Lunch sits between 12:00 and 14:00, with classroom time on lifejackets, knots and awareness of other water users. The last water session runs through to 17:00, then you review the day.
Level 1 gives you a solid first day of launching, kill cord, steer then gear, coming alongside and picking up a buoy. It is an introduction, not a licence to take a boat away on your own in unfamiliar water.
If you want more independence, Level 2 is the two-day course that covers high and low speed handling, navigation and ICC eligibility. Many people do Level 1 first, then come back for that.
Level 1 is the one-day introduction. Level 2 is the two-day course that aims to give you the experience and confidence to handle a powerboat in familiar waters during the day, and it is the ticket that lets you apply for the ICC.
You do not have to do Level 1 before Level 2. If you already know you want the fuller course, you can start at Level 2. If you want a first day before committing to two, Level 1 is the one written for that.
We had a fantastic time! The Skipper was brilliant and carefully tailored the experience to suit all the passengers needs. It was safe, exciting, interesting and a lot of fun. Thank you
The boattrip was amazing! We enjoyed every minute! Jason our captain told us a lot from the wildlife on Puffin Island. We really recommend this trip, it’s worth the money for sure.
Fantastic experience led by friendly, efficient and interesting people.
The instructor/guide was fantastic and very knowledgeable, and we had great fun on the boat
We loved our boat trip, water doughnuts and speeding along 50mph + was great fun. Our skipper was lovely, very knowledgeable and enthusiasm shone through. Want to come back and see the puffins next year... although this was my soul reason to book this trip it really did not disappoint…
The Rib Tour was amazing! Exhilarating ride on the rib combined with fascinating facts about the coastline and the birds on puffin island. Highly recommended, will be booking the bridges tour next.
Exhilarating but also really informative. A great experience all round and highly recommended
Brilliant! Loved when Jason put the RIB into ‘sports mode’. Perfect mix of adventure and information. Beautiful scenery, great morning in the water. Cheers guys.
What a great experience. Our skipper, Jason, was great. Good chat, very knowledgable and really pushed the boat. The boat is an impressive thing which really moves. Great experience! Will be back to do the other tour.
Excellent!
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