No, you do not require any previous boating experience for any of the courses we offer. 

If you are new to boating, we recommend that you read The Boater’s Handbook by the Canal and River Trust  and watch the accompanying video in advance to familiarise yourself with some of the basics and terminology. 

With the exception of the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman's Course, all our courses can be tailored to your individual needs.

If you are a complete beginner we will cover all the basics needed to safely enjoy the UK waterways, including safety, helmsmanship, locks and tunnels, collision avoidance and basic engine maintenance.

For more experienced boaters we can focus on any specific areas you require. 

All our courses are predominantly hands-on covering the practical aspects of boating, but also cover the essential theory required for inland boating.

As our courses are tailored to the areas you would like to cover there are no fixed course lengths. For example, our Skills Refresh course can be booked for a full day or just a few hours depending on your needs.  

Our start and end times are also flexible and can be discussed at the time of booking.

Our RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman's Course is a fixed two-day course, however, a one-day assessment is available for experienced boaters who are ready for certification.

All our courses are run by Roy, a boating and sailing enthusiast who has lived aboad his own boat for the past 6 years.

Roy has held the RYA Offshore Yacht Master certificate for over 40 years and has enjoyed a varied career with sailing including boat building, delivering boats worldwide from the UK and running a number of engineering companies.

Roy is an accredited RYA Instructor, a qualified diver to instructor level and has spent time volunteering as an Inshore Rescue Coxswain.

Our training boat is well equipped with all necessary equipment you will need to enjoy our courses. 

Life jackets are provided and are recommended in and around locks, and for young children.

In case of bad weather we suggest that you bring waterproof clothing and in the interests of safety, you and the crew are encouraged to wear shoes or boots with non-slip soles. 

Remember also that the sun’s rays are much more powerful when you are on the water, so sunglasses, protective cream and a sun hat are recommended to avoid burning. 

We also recommend that you bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery and nature on this exceptional part of the Leeds & Liverpool canal!

To book one of our courses, please contact us  to discuss availability and any specific areas you would like to cover.

The cost of our courses depends on the course duration and wil be confirmed at the time of bookings.

At this time we require a deposit of £50 to be paid by direct bank transfer with the remaining balance paid on arrival at the marina.

A full refund will be given for an cancellations made with at least 7 days notice.  Cancellations within 7 days of the booking date will forfeit the £50 deposit.

In the event of bad weather or personal difficulties an alternative training date will be offered or you may be provided with a credit note for a future booking.

Well behaved pets are welcome to join you, however, please note that our courses are hands-on and any pets are the sole responsibility of their owner.  

Any accompanying pets should be calm and ideally familiar with boating to ensure their safety and the safety of the crew.

Fresh drinking water will be provided and our training boat has a small fridge for any provisions you may want to bring with you. However, space is limited so you may consider bringing your own cooler.

We operate out of Reedley Marina which has an on-site bistro where you can enjoy pre/post boating refreshments. In addition to the bistro there are a number of resturants and supermarkets in the town of Burnley nearby.

Yes, there is a toilet onboard the training boat. 

Given the nature of toilet facilities on narrowboats all guests are encouraged to use the marina facilities when possible.

Yes, the marina has free designated visitor parking.

The nature of canal boats as traditional narrowboats means space is restricted and getting on and off the boat requires stepping off the boat onto the canal bank over a gap. 

Please contact us to discuss any specific requirements you have and we can assess whether our facilities will be suitable.

No, our boat has been specifically refitted to provide a comfortable training environment and does not offer overnight accommodation.

However, there are a number of local hotels and B&B’s in the area available via TripAdvisor.  

Visitor moorings are always available, whether you want to stay for just one night or longer. And all facilities are available for visitors.

The facilities at Reedley Marina include everything you could wish for from a modern marina development. The Marina Office (open six days a week), shower rooms, male and female changing rooms, a fully equipped launderette and the Swan & Goose Bistro serving food and drinks with a first floor balcony overlooking the marina.

Please contact Reedley Marina to book.

After successful completion the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman's Course you will receive an RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman's certificate.

Our tuition, skills refresh and team building courses do not come with certification.

Please contact us for more information.

While there is no official minimum age limit for our courses (with the exception of the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman's Course) we recommend that active participants are 12 years old and over due to the practical elements of the courses.  

However, keen boaters of any age are welcome to participate and we are happy to discuss tailored training for younger children.

All children must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times.

We want you to enjoy your time with us and appreciate that enjoying a cold beer while enjoying the scenery is almost a requirement for cruising the UK canals! Alcohol is permitted on our training boat, however, the boat must not be skippered, helmed or crewed by anyone who is or appears to be, under the influence of alcohol. 

Recreational drugs are not permitted.