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RYA training centre in London running Inland Waterways Helmsman courses and other bespoke canal boat training.
Reviews 52
PATRICK NATHAN
Oct 01,2024A great training course to complete before hiring or buying a canal boat, even better with a great trainer such as Kirsten
John Stirling
Jun 03,2024Kerstin made the 2-day helmsman's course really engaging, informative and enjoyable, ensuring the three of us really understood everything she was teaching. Kerstin ensured each of us knew how to perform the various skills, including knots, steering, lock handling, basic engine checks and narrowboat etiquette. A fabulous 2-day course which really helped me when I took ownership of my own narrowboat 5-days later and was able to confidently cruise the boat through 77 locks over 80 miles during the following week. Highly recommended.
Peter
May 22,2024Clear communications before, during and after the 2 day course. Well prepared, allowing for plenty of hands on training and clear explanation of procedures, routes etc. Good oversight and attention to detail. Boat and equipment in good condition. Excellent course for anyone wishing to gain some experience of handling a narrow boat or obtaining a licence.
Zoe Allen
May 13,2024For the two days the training was excellent I will feel more confident to drive a narrow boat Kirsten went through all the procedures of each segment for each part of the trading a lot of information was covered Kirsten was through like doing the ropes tying up more than once until you were happy to understand and the same principle for driving the boat keep doing it until you got it and understand it highly recommend Kirsten course tiller to the trouble thanks Kirsten for a great two days of training Kirsten very best Robert.
Pete Davison
Apr 28,2024The helmsmanship training course I attended was comprehensive, detailed and allowed plenty of time to practice the manoeuvres.
Sean Hayes
Apr 23,2024Very clear instruction. Kirsten built up everyone’s confidence while at the same time making sure we all did the practical exercices correctly.
Jack
Apr 15,2024I had a lovely time with Kerstin during this course and I leant a lot 10/10
Paul Fenwick
Apr 15,2024Kerstin was great at sharing her considerable knowledge, skill and experience and was keen to check our understanding as we went along. She answered all our questions and addressed every situation with patience and wisdom. I feel so much more confident about helming a long narrowboat now. I enjoyed course very much.
Henna Charania
Mar 20,2024High quality and personalised training! I really felt the difference during my first move after my session with Kerstin.
Liz, Maidenhead
Mar 19,2024Kersten was totally calm and patient. She managed to get the best out of all of us (3) despite our different abilities and experience. I would recommend this course and Kersten to both novice and more experienced boaters.
Mark Dennison
Mar 16,2024Very useful and enjoyable course, thanks Kirsten. Gave us the confidence to book our first narrow boating holiday
John McAllister
Jan 01,2024What made my experience great, how about the wealth of knowledge of boating and life aboard a narrow boat, that Kerstin was more than happy to share. The relaxed personal instruction was such that I overcame my foreboding of going into and operating a lock single handed. I undertook the 2 day helmsman's course near market Harborough with another company and it was excellent. The course on Willum was for me better, as I had to think for myself with a fair amount of hints and nudging from Kerstin not just follow the group as in the 2 day course. It proved to be much more than I anticipated in knowledge absorbed and confidence gained, thank you Kerstin.
Harald Dahle
Nov 30,2023Two-day course that provided me with what I was looking for: How handling a heavy narrowboat differs from the lighter craft I am familiar with. Some idea of what is involved in living on a narrowboat that you move around the network. Enough hands-on practice to feel confident in future. All delivered in a clear and well-targeted way. Recommend.
Brian V
Oct 16,2023A comprehensive "whoa to go" canal boat instruction from a very experienced instructor who owns and lives on her own narrow canal boat at Uxbridge, London. Covers basic boat maintenance, handling and lock procedure. Each course has 3 people maximum which over 2 days allows each person the opportunity to have a hands on experience. Highly recommended.
Paige Porter-Buhl
Sep 19,2023The trainer is experienced, encouraging and knowledgeable. I learned far more than I expected and enjoyed every moment (despite the rain),
Alex
Jul 01,2023Great experience, thank you Kerstin! Wilum is a lovely narrowboat and the area is an ideal learning spot
Gema Requena
Jun 28,2023This course was great! Good teacher and good tips, my only comment would be to have more hours of practice!! Totally recommended!!
Neville Towell
May 30,2023Kerstin was a patient and encoraging instructor who made us feel welcome. The course was well designed, structured and mixed theory and practice through out both days. A very enjoyable weekend
Customer
May 29,2023Very in-depth training with a patient and highly knowledgeable instructor.
C natham
Oct 04,2024A wonderful experience, Covering the basic must have skills for crewing a narrow boat. Many thanks to a patient Kerstin for her direction, training and encouragement to make for an enjoyable and insightful weekend. Now much more confident to tackle life on the canals.