07850 846495
Why Choose Us?
Canal Experience is an RYA Certified Training Centre and has been around for a long time – over 20 years. We are an established and respected training body and our qualified Instructors hold First Aid certificates so that they can treat your safety as a priority.
There are many ways to learn to steer a boat and many people who will offer to teach you. However, our qualifications and diverse experience mean that we will show you more than one way to move your boat from A to B.
( And yes, you CAN learn to steer in reverse)
We have specialized expertise in leisure, live-aboard and commercial training due to our varied experience and can often be seen on assessments with coal boat, trip boat and CRT employees and volunteers as well as private boat owners, or those who just want to go on holiday.
Our Courses
We tailor courses to individual needs and specialize in confidence building by improving your skills from any level. This is not a quick fix or “crash course”, but is a structured training plan which also results in an enjoyable and safe experience on the water.
The minimum age for RYA Helmsman certificates is 12 – Certificates for children aged between 12 and 16 will be endorsed to show that they must use boats only under the supervision of a responsible adult
Please note that prices are based on 2 people taking up the course either separately or together and there is a maximum number of 3 students per boat.
Please contact us for all available or bespoke options – there’s always time to pack in some training to get ahead of the game.
If a course is taken as a single-hander, the price will be higher than listed below, please call or email for details.
Prices
RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Course – Max 3 students per boat
- 2 Day Course – suitable for novices and those with some experience – £350 per person
- 1 Day Assessment – for experienced steerers (no tuition) – £195 per person
RYA Inland Waterways Crew Course or 1 Day Liveaboard Training
- 1 Day – £195 per person
Own Boat Courses
- Based on above prices. Bespoke quotes are dependent on the number of students and travelling time and cost to get to your location
One to one courses are also available on request. These are a little more expensive, but give intense training which produces surprising results, often in a shorter time.
Prices include the RYA Inland Waterways Course book and certificated evidence of competence on completion to required standard.
An additional course book, “Canal Boat Steering – How to Move Your Boat”, specifically written for the Inland Waterways by our Principal, JANUL, is also available for purchase
Click here to purchase in Paperback or KINDLE
Location
The Canal Experience RYA Centre and is close to both Apsley and Kings Langley stations and just a short distance from the M25 & M1. If you have your own boat we will travel to your location by arrangement and our instructors are also local to Braunston and the surrounding areas.
Wherever you are, you will experience the hidden beauty and nature on our heritage waterways, just metres from the motorways, railways and towns,
JANUL
Our Principal, JANUL, is a recognised author on the subject of her craft and she has worked closely with the RYA on videos to try and bring people to the Inland Waterways where they can experience the magic of our Liquid highway.
In preparation of your real time training, why not take a look at “the teaching notes” in “Canal Boat Steering – How To Move Your Boat”, written by JANUL, so that you are ready for your course?
Video of JANUL at Fenny Stratford, 2022, by Alan Buckle, Star Crafts Trading
| Canal Experience Course Booking Terms & Conditions |
- Bookings. Bookings are accepted when the booking form is returned and a deposit of £50 per person received. Should you cancel, this deposit is non-refundable unless we can fill the place. Someone else may take the place as a substitute.
- Invoices should be paid in full, 10 days before the start of the course. If your course starts within 10 days, please pay in full to secure the place.
- COVID. Should we need to cancel for any reason because of COVID related issues, we will try to offer a substitute date. If this cannot be arranged, you will receive a full refund.
- Cancellations by you. In the event of your having to cancel your course within 14 days of the start date we will do our utmost to fill your place. Should we do so, we will try to offer you a substitute date or we will refund your course fee, less a £50 administration charge.
If we cannot fill the vacancy, no refund can be made. Substitutions can be made where someone else takes the place.
- Cancellations by us. If we are forced to cancel a course for any reason, we will try to reschedule your course to a date to suit you. Failing this we will refund your money in full.
- Personal injury. All participants must take reasonable responsibility for their own safety whilst on the course.
- Loss or damage. We cannot accept liability for loss or damage to any property of any person attending our courses.
- Course Changes. We reserve the right to use substitute boats, change the venue, timing, or content of the course for safety or operational reasons at any time.
- Safety. By booking on our courses you agree that you and all members of your party will comply with the safety briefing and all instructions given by the course instructor. This includes complying with Canal Experience and Waterways Experiences policies on COVID safe precautions.
Child Protection and Safeguarding:
Canal Experience does not generally teach unaccompanied under age students, however, occasionally a young person will be on board and may be unaccompanied for part of the journey.
At these times the RYA safeguarding policies will be adhered to.
See Annexes A (RYA Safeguarding & Protection Policy), B (Club Safeguarding Leaflet), C (Communicating With Young People) and D (Managing Challenging Behaviour).
Equality
Everyone who comes into contact with Canal Experience is treated equally, with respect and given equal opportunity for the best learning experience that can be provided
Every effort will be made to ensure that students are given equal opportunities to try all activities on the course and that equal amounts of instructor time will be given to each person.
The training boat is well equipped with ramps and lifts to accommodate any disability needs.
Any issues should be escalated and the Principal will take appropriate action.
Safety
Instructors are responsible for making sure that safety is paramount during the course. Students should be informed of relevant risks associated with each activity.
First Aid kits are on the training boats. A portable kit is taken when conducting own boat courses.
Life jackets are offered to students throughout the course but MUST be worn during lock operation.
Complaints Procedure
Complaints should be escalated to the Principal who will take appropriate action regarding communication, resolution and potential disciplinary matters.
Should there be no resolve on RYA policy or instructional procedures, advice should be taken from the RYA.