Only RYA course I did was my Inland Helmsman course Barry which I did in 2001 with a bloke called Scott who was an instructor from a local Marina. When I arrived he said "Look Rob I know you can helm a boat so why don't we have a day out on the river involving a few pubs and a bit of lunch and I'll write you a certificate". (we did actually do some course content between pubs!) I only wanted to get the certificate so I could get cheaper
insurance so that suited me. We had a great day out and got suitably shrew faced, as you do and I got my certificate which I also found the other day.
Scott was a great bloke, very well known on the river but sadly died not long after that aged late 30's.
Some of the stuff I found t'other day in a forgotten cupboard;
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