RYA Training Day Scotland
The 2021 RYA Raymarine Training Conference supported by Gallagher was a very different experience this year, like the majority of our interactions, it was moved online which opened up the opportunity for more of our community in Scotland to engage with the event alongside more than 1,200 RYA instructors, appointment holders and training centre principals.
With the ability to view the content from our homes saved a lot of time in travelling, helped to reduce costs, and help reduce our impact on the environment. It also inspired instructors and coaches to create engaging workshops which was demonstrated across the relevant topics with valuable knowledge shared over the two days. The feedback from the Scottish Instructors, Trainers and examiners who attended was all very supportive of the format and many said that they hoped to see something similar in the future.
Usually in February, RYA Scotland are finishing the preparations for our own Scottish Instructor Gathering and looking forward to catching up with everyone in person over a coffee and a piece of cake! Sadly, this is not possible for this year and so we have been working with the RDOs across England and the teams in the Home Countries to pull together a National Virtual Instructor Training day on the 13th of March 2021.
The event is aimed at current and aspiring Instructors from the small boat schemes: Dinghy, Windsurfing, Powerboat, Personal Watercraft and Inland Waterways. There will be a range of workshops as well as updates from the Chief Instructors and your Regional RDO alongside national presentation that aim to inspire and motivate RYA instructors.
The workshop line-up includes:
- Dave Mellor, RYA Coaching Development Manager, who will take a deep dive into Growth Mindset and how it should influence the way you teach, coach or instruct.
- Graham Stones, RYA Coach, Trainer and Examiner who works for Raymarine UK, who will look at some of the ways that modern marine electronics can be used to help you not only to navigate, but also to keep you safe and raise the alarm when afloat.
- Tris Best, RYA Trainer and co-founder of The Official Test Centre (OTC), who will look at foiling on both windsurf and dinghy, focusing on how changes to tech and the introduction to the training scheme has made it more accessible.
- Calum McNicol, accomplished Powerboat Trainer, sailor, kayaker and ocean rower, who believes that everyone has the potential to reach great heights and blends his sporting background with his recent academic research into coaching and coach education. He will explore the techniques instructors can use to maximise and optimise learning opportunities for students.
- Kate Fortnam, Campaign Manager for The Green Blue, who will share her passion for the natural environment and discuss new and updated instructor resources, designed to help you build upon your sustainable boating knowledge and pass on environmental best practice to students during RYA Courses.
- Hannah Cockle, OnBoard Operations Officer, who will be exploring some of the RYA resources and support you can access, and how you can use them to run better, engaging practical sessions for everyone and keep people in the sport.
- Chris Cousins, RYA Coach & Trainer and Dominic Coleman, RYA YachtmasterTM Instructor and commercial skipper, who will explore the use of technology to enhance session delivery, and discuss some of the resources and platforms that are available to support modern and engaging delivery of RYA training sessions, whether remotely or in the classroom.
Additionally, there will be a trade area online where you will be able to meet and question RYA staff and partners. Unfortunately, you will need to bring your own coffee and cake whilst you catch up and share stories.
The RDO team are currently planning regional on-water CPD opportunities to follow the online event; these will be available across each region once restrictions allow.
To view the programme and to sign up visit here.