National Powerboat Training Scheme
Powerboat Instructor Training Course
Pre-Course Information and Workbook
This Pre-Course Information Pack and Workbook has been sent to you ahead of your
upcoming Powerboat Instructor Training course. Please read it carefully and complete the
workbook before attending the course.
The pack will answer any questions you may have about the format & content of the
instructor training course. The workbook will help you start to think about what is required of
an ISA Instructor and to do some background reading & preparation. The workbook will be
handed to the Instructor Trainer at the start of the course.
Details on where the course is located, when it starts as well as details on accommodation
etc will be provided separately by the ISA Training Centre running your course.
ISA
3 Park Road,
Dun Laoghaire
Co. Dublin.
Ireland
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Web Site:
01 2800 239
01 280 7558
training@sailing.ie
www.sailing.ie
1
Page
Contents
Course Information
The Aim
3
The Programme
3
Assessments
3
Pre Course Preparation
Pre-Course Work Pack
4
What To Bring With You
Personal Equipment
4
ISA Membership
4
Publications
5
Outline Course Programme
6
Assessment Criteria
7
Sample Presentation Topics
8
Pre-Course Work Pack
9
Pre-course checklist:
1. Have you completed the pre-course workbook? (page 10)
2. Do you have the required publications? (Page 6)
3. Have you joined the ISA? (Page 6)
4. Have you brought a valid Emergency Care certificate?
5. Have you brought your ISA National Powerboat Certificate and logbook?
6. Have you brought all your personal boating equipment? (Page 6)
7. Do you have all the stationary that you will require? Laptop, markers,
ring binder for course notes etc. (Page 6)
8. Do you have any models, toys, pictures, etc to help you make your
presentations?
2
Pre-course information
The Aim
The ISA Powerboat Instructor training course will develop your ability to teach people
completing the following courses within the ISA’s National Powerboat Training Scheme

Introduction to Powerboating

National Powerboat Certificate.
The training will be provided by ISA Instructor Trainers and will take place afloat as well as
ashore.
The Programme
The training course will run over at least five days. Your course provider should have sent
you a detailed timetable of start and finish times. Remember that in order to get the most out
of the course there will be a certain amount of work which you will need to complete in your
own time.
An outline of the expected format including a list of key points in the course is provided on
page 6. Weather permitting; you can expect to work afloat every day.
Assessments
In order to pass the training course you will be required, during the course to satisfactorily
demonstrate a number of skills to the Instructor Trainer running the course. The assessment
criteria for the course are laid out on page 7.
Assessment on the course will be continuous and practical. There will be individual
debriefings provided by your Instructor Trainer in the middle of the course and on the final
day.
Another Instructor Trainer will attend during the second half of the course. They are there to
ensure that you get a fair assessment and to ensure that the course being run according to
the standards set by the ISA.
Presentation Topics
During the course you will be required to present a number of topics. Before you do so you
will be guided through the required presentation skills and given time to use these in the
preparation of your given topic. You should however, bring any notes or additional
information that you have will allow you to make informed presentations on any of the topics
detailed on page 8.
3
Pre-course information
Personal Equipment
As this is an Instructor course people taking part should have their own personal kit which
you should bring with you. However, do bear in mind that;
o
Most instructor training courses take place in the winter or spring & can be both
wet and cold.
o
As an instructor you will often be less active than you are as a student. This
means that you need to bring and wear more than you are used to.
o
You will be spending a lot of time afloat both as a course participant being
instructed by one of your group and as an Instructor in your own right.
As an Instructor you will be expected to carry a suitable knife a loud whistle and a waterproof
watch.
All candidates will need to bring;
o
An A4 ring binder and pad for notes.
o
Paper & pens for writing notes etc.
o
White board markers pens.
o
Laptop computer if you have one – you may be able to use it for research and
presentations.
Certificates / documents
Before the course starts the Instructor Trainer running your course will need to see the
following documents. Make sure you bring them all with you as you may not be admitted to
the course without them.
o ISA Powerboat Instructor Pre-entry Assessment Certificate
o Current Emergency Care Certificate
o VHF Radio Certificate
o Recommendation from your club or Centre Principal
o ISA Membership
ISA Membership:
It is a requirement for trainees on an ISA Instructor Training course to be members of the
ISA. You can apply for membership online via the ISA website.
If you are already a member of an ISA Category 1 Sailing Club you are already a member of
the ISA so be sure to bring your club membership card along as proof.
4
Pre-course information
Publications:
In order to be an effective instructor it is vital that you understand the ISA National Powerboat
Training Scheme. In order to do so it is necessary that you have the following publications as
a training guide and to act as an aide memoir for courses you will be running. If you do not
have all of these they can be obtained from;

The training centre or club running your course.

Good chandlers.

The ISA Office.
You should have these prior to your course, as this will allow you some time to become
familiar with their contents.
The publications you must have are;

ISA National Powerboat Training Scheme. Logbook
The recommended publications are;

RYA Powerboat Instructors Handbook G19

RYA Start Powerboating G48.
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Outline Course Programme
ISA National Powerboat Training Scheme
Powerboat Instructor Training Course
Day
Morning
Afternoon




Introductions
Roles and qualities of Instructors
Different learning models
Shorebased sessions


How to identify key components of a
skill.
Session planning
2




Tides and weather
Session planning
Briefing and de-briefing Sessions
Role of the ISA, Coaching Ireland
and the NPTS


Delivering on the water sessions.
Assessment standards.
3



Tide and weather
Managing safety and emergencies
Shorebased sessions


Delivering on the water sessions.
Mid-Course de-Brief
4



Tide and weather
Teaching people with special needs
Working with children

Delivery of on the water sessions
5




Tide and weather
Planning a NPC course
Ethics and Instructor Charter
Shorebased sessions


Tidy up sessions.
End of course debriefs
1
Note that this programme is an outline only and will be adapted according to the progress of
the candidates and weather conditions.
6
Assessment Criteria
The following criteria will be used in assessing whether or not you pass the course.
Candidates successfully passing the ISA Powerboat Instructor training course will;

Have demonstrated the required knowledge of ISA National Powerboat Training Scheme.

Have demonstrated a personal ability and level of knowledge of sailing appropriate to
teaching and assessing up to National Powerboat Certificate of the ISA National
Powerboat Training Scheme.

Have demonstrated the ability to run sailing sessions that are safe, effective & fun.

Have demonstrated the ability to present theory elements of the ISA National Powerboat
Training Scheme syllabus to participants in a clear & effective manner.

Have demonstrated an ability to identify and implement safe working practices.

Have demonstrated the ability to work as part of a team.

Have demonstrated the ability to responsibly use and care for those resources and
equipment necessary for the running of a powerboat course.
Assessment will be continuous and mainly practical. There will be individual debriefings
provided by the Course Trainer on day 3 and on the final day.
Candidates will be informed whether or not they are being recommended for upgrading by
the course Trainer during the final individual debriefing session.
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Sample presentation Topics
Topic
1
Rules of the road.
2
SOLAS V.
3
Anchoring.
4
Neap and spring tides and their relevance to charts.
5
Safety check before considering going afloat.
7
Weather – Basics to know when going boating.
8
Weather – Basic understanding of high and lows.
9
Understanding a marine weather forecast and chart.
13
Understanding charts and basic chartwork.
14
Man overboard manoeuvre.
15
Daily tidal height calculations and their application to charts.
16
Knots and their appropriate use.
17
Tidal flow calculations, tidal diamonds.
8
Pre-Course Workbook
Pre Course Workbook
This workbook will help you start to think about what is required of an ISA Instructor and to do
some background reading & preparation.
Answer all of the questions in the spaces provided.
The workbook will be handed to the Instructor Trainer at the star of the course.
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Pre-Course Workbook
Knowledge of the National Powerboat Training Scheme……
A good knowledge of the ISA training schemes available to course participants is crucial to
informing participants, promoting the sport and selling more courses. In around 20 words
describe what a course participant should have achieved at the end of the following course in
the National Powerboat Certificate….
Introduction to Powerboating
National Powerboat Certificate
Safety Boat
Recreational Powerboat Course
Diveboat Coxswain
10
Pre-Course Workbook
Advanced Powerboat Course
Equipment
List 5 items of equipment that as an ISA Powerboat Instructor you think that you should carry
with you in your power boat that will allow you to run safe and effective training programmes.
Do not include items that form part of the boat / engine / fuel system.
Item
Reason
11
Pre-Course Workbook
Being prepared as an instructor and ensuring your students understand the importance of
being appropriately dressed is an important part of being an instructor. List 3 items of
personal equipment an instructor should carry?
Item
Reason
On a sunny day in July in Ireland; what items should you check that all your boaters have
before they go afloat?
Reason Why…
Description
12
Pre-Course Workbook
Weather and Tides
Throughout the Instructor Programme you will be expected to have a detailed knowledge of
current and future predicted weather forecasts and tide times.
What sort of weather would you expect if the atmospheric pressure is falling rapidly?
List the changes you would expect to see announcing the arrival of a warm front.
13
Pre-Course Workbook
Using the synoptic chart below, fill out the table, giving your own interpretation of what
weather the east coast of Ireland can expect. Give the current forecast and your 24hour
predictions.
Cloud Cover
Precipitation
Current
24 Hours
14
Wind Direction
Wind Strength
Pre-Course Workbook
As an instructor you need to know what weather is forecast for several days ahead. This
allows you to programme your sessions and activities, maximising time afloat.
Look at the forecast for the duration of your instructor course. Use these to describe the
weather for each day of the course and the effect this weather is likely to have on the
instructing area used by the Training Centre.
If your course is not being run over 5 consecutive days just provide information for the first
part of the course.
Suggested sources: www.met.ie, www.metoffice.gov.uk, www.windguru.com
Day 1
Wind direction
Wind speed (knots)
Weather
Likely effect on
sailing area
Likely effect on
sailing activities
24 Hr Outlook
Sources used
15
Pre-Course Workbook
Day 2
Wind direction
Wind speed (knots)
Weather
Likely effect on
sailing area
Likely effect on
sailing activities
24 Hr Outlook
Sources used
Day 3
Wind direction
Wind speed (knots)
Weather
Likely effect on
sailing area
Likely effect on
sailing activities
24 Hr Outlook
Sources used
16
Pre-Course Workbook
Day 4
Wind direction
Wind speed (knots)
Weather
Likely effect on
sailing area
Likely effect on
sailing activities
24 Hr Outlook
Sources used
Day 5
Wind direction
Wind speed (knots)
Weather
Likely effect on
sailing area
Likely effect on
sailing activities
24 Hr Outlook
Sources used
17
Pre-Course Workbook
The role of the instructor…..
As an instructor you will be responsible for introducing people to powerboating and
developing their skills. The way you set about doing this is probably the single most
important factor in them deciding to take up powerboating or not. Have a think about what
makes you enjoy some of the things you do.
Think of some activities, sports, academic subjects which you enjoy(ed) and took up on a
long term basis. In the box below list what they are and some of the reasons you enjoyed
those activities and continued with them.
Now think of some activities, sports, academic subjects which you did not enjoy or stopped
enjoying and did not take up on a long term basis. In the box below, list what they are and
some of the reasons you did not enjoy those activities and did not continue with them.
18
Pre-Course Workbook
Think of some instructors, teachers, coaches or mentors who have taught you or worked with
you and who you though were good. List some of the personal qualities they have which
caused you to form this view.
Now think of some instructors, teachers, coaches or mentors who have taught you or worked
with you and who you did not think were good. List some of the personal qualities they have
which caused you to form this view.
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Pre-Course Workbook
Activities
Keeping students interested and motivated by creating a safe, fun environment for learning is
all part of being an instructor. Using the template below describe two activities, one will be
shore based and the other water based that you could use with adults learning to use
Powerboats. Briefly describe the activity, its rules, equipment required, safety considerations
and most importantly the skills it teaches.
Shore based activity
Name and description
Rules
Skills taught
Skills required
Equipment needed
Safety Considerations
20
Pre-Course Workbook
Water based activity
Name and description
Rules
Skills taught
Skills required
Equipment needed
Safety Considerations
21