We run Cruiser Courses from April to September each year from our main training base at Hodson Bay on Lough Ree. We can also run these courses from other suitable Inland Waterways locations.

Each course will have no more than three students per boat per instructor.
Courses generally run from 10a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Our School Training Boat "Classy Cat" is a 27 foot Freeman 27 Shannon Cruiser and has proven itself as a superb training craft for teaching these courses to beginners.

You can also train on your own boat once we have checked that it is insured, suitable and carries certain basic safety equipment. The price discount awarded for using your own boat is based on three students being instructed.

This relaxing one day course is specially designed to give some one with no previous boating experience a basic introduction to driving inboard-diesel cabin cruisers on the inland waterways.

Skills taught during the day include basic engine checks, rope work, basic driving techniques and coming alongside in marinas and harbours.

The Inland Waterways Motorboat Skipper's Certificate
This two day course incorporates the basic skills taught on the one day Introduction course and then on day two teaches the student new skills to bring them up to the standard of Helmsman or Skipper.

The additional skills taught on the two day helmsmans course include anchoring, basic navigation, rules of the road, lock theorey, man over board drills and emergency action drills.

Those who reach the required standard after the two days of training are awarded the Inland Waterways Helmsmans Certificate of Competency. This qualification is awarded by the Irish Sailing Association and is also recognised by the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (I.W.A.I.).

Successfull Skippers who are members of the I.W.A.I. are entitled to fly the specially designed I.W.A.I. Helmsmans Pennant.