Jet Ski-ing RYA Course

Following the introduction into jet ski-ing and with the first tip being get the correct training I gladly accepted the chance to join an RYA course taken by Steve Carrington of Paraquest (see course providers)

It was with a mixture of anticipation and expectation that I set to join the others who were taking the course at the lake in Port Talbot, arriving at 9am the weather was cold yet clear and with near perfect water conditions for ski-ing it was hard to believe that it was mid November.

My reason for joining the course was very simple, I firmly believe that anyone who participates in any sport on the water should have to get qualified, I could not expect to go into a motor bike shop and buy a 1100 cc bike then take it on the road without any training, I would endanger myself and others and I see no difference between being on land or being on water.

I am not going to give you an indepth article on the course I will leave that for when you go on one yourselves but I will give just an overview of it so you know what to expect.

Class Room

• Introduction –   PW equipment, safety, pre launch checks and other essential information.

• Collision Avoidance – Rules of the Road, lookout, safe speeds and other important information on collision avoidance.

• At Sea – Chart work, bouys, shipping and understanding tidal information

Afloat

• Launching
• Orientation
• PW control exercises including slalom, emergency stop and capsize drill  

As you can see there is a lot of information, and I have not listed all of it.

I hope as responsible PW users you would get this qualification not only to have more enjoyment out of the sport but also to show others who may not understand what PW riding is all about that you are not the same as the people who gave the sport the bad boy image and that will also enable people like Steve to gain access to more waters for RYA qualified PW riders to enjoy.

The following companies are RYA course providers below for further details and course availability please visit the site directory.

Tenby Water Sports

Offshore Sea School

Tenby Marine

Wales Watercraft Center