RYA BOSS DOES IT INLAND!

The Secretary general of the Royal Yachting Association takes to the Inland Waterways and discovers a whole new world...

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Taken from Canal & Riverboat October 2001, used with permission.

ANDY Newman, Inland Waters Helmsman Course Instructor at Willow Wren took Rod through the course. “The Inland Waters course is very adaptable and practical; the complete novice can learn, in one day, safe boat handling skills and yet cunningly woven into the course are many tips for the more experienced boater to widen their knowledge and increase their enjoyment of inland boating.
The supreme test of its adaptability must surely be when the RYA’s Secretary General, Rod Carr, decided to try a canal holiday.”

But he’s never steered a narrow boat before...
On the day of the course, with the formalities and safety talk completed, Rod and his wife, Lynne were taken aboard the school’s 65ft long, 7ft wide, 18 ton, semi-traditional narrow boat.
They were amazed at how long and narrow it was compared to their own boat, (a catamaran with a 2Oft beam) but I was soon explaining the mysteries of the ‘swim’ and ‘counter’, ‘skeg cup’ and ‘ramshead’.
The first challenge was to take the boat down the narrow, twisting Rugby Wharf arm and negotiate a 90degree turn in a winding hole before joining the main line. Then it was onwards to the locks with several narrow bridges and sharp turns along the way.
After lunch, they tackled a flight of three locks and here Lynne came to the fore, winding paddles and pushing gates (why is it that the women end up doing all the work whilst the men stand at the tiller?). Fitting a 7ft beam boat into a 7ft 6in wide lock is not easy first time, and as I explained, narrow boating is not mean to be a contact sport.
After another winding hole turn they descended the locks, learning all about the dreaded cill and
how fore-end fenders can get stuck in bottom gates. But no problem, Rod and Lynne were becoming very proficient.
During the run home, they grounded (on purpose!) and learnt how to get unstuck, and reversed the boat in a straight line for several hundred yards (not easy!).
Back at base, I presented Rod with his IWHC Certificate in recognition of his newly acquired narrow boating skills and off they merrily went, on their first canal holiday.

‘One never stops learning’ - an old adage, but true, says Rod Carr
OUR annual family get-together this year developed into a canal boat holiday and as soon as this was mentioned at the office it was suggested, with some humour, that I had better get my Inland Helmsman’s Certificate. Having been a trainer and coach for the majority of my professional career I could hardly refuse, and duly signed up for a one-day course with Andy Newman.
I have been around boats for the best part of forty years but was not prepared for the sight of a 65ft narrow boat moored in what seemed to me an impossibly narrow canal. It was soon apparent that the course centred on practical skills so I concentrated hard on the short theory session before we set off.
Once out into the main canal we practised all the usual routines; coming alongside, leaving a berth and, of course, using locks. I learnt that the rudder on a narrow boat doesn’t do much unless the engine is in gear and the prop wash is moving across it. Years of practising coming alongside with the engine in neutral, using the rudder to control the yacht were of no use. As for going astern.. . well, I mastered it, just.

So what did I learn?
Firstly, as with every branch of boating, skippering a narrow boat its own skill-set and the most efficient way to learn is to take a course. Secondly, the inland waterways have their own unique culture - it’s not all painted cans and Brasso. Owners take a real pride in their boats and the general standard of boat handling is high.
The canals are a wonderful part of our maritime heritage and a great way to relax. Most importantly the large choice of real ales available at the numerous waterside pubs were some of the best I have ever tasted!
For more information on Inland Waterways courses at recognised centres around the country, contact the RYA on 023 8062 7462 or website: www.rya.org.uk