BWSW Level 1&2 boat coach: coaching water skiing and wakeboarding

• What it is: BWSW's boat coaching qualification, covering water skiing and wakeboarding together. It certifies you to coach unassisted, at any level, in the UK and abroad.
• What you need first: BWSW membership, Ski Boat Driver 2 (SBD2) plus at least 10 hours driving for water skiers or wakeboarders, age 16 or over (17 for qualified status), and the riding standard below.
• What you'll learn: Safety, risk assessment, delivery skills, customer service and advanced boat driving.
• How long it takes: BWSW's course page calls it a 4-day course, while its overview says Levels 1 and 2 typically run back to back over 7 days. Ask the course organiser which format you're booking.
• Cost: BWSW lists £595 for the Level 1&2 coaching course, plus a £48 coach licence fee and a £20 safeguarding course (checked October 2026). With the boat-driver ticket, first aid and a disclosure check, budget £595 to £850.
• What's next: Coaching track: boat coaching at clubs, schools and holiday companies. Driving: SBD3 lines up with the Level 2 coach driving requirement. Cable: cable coaching.

Who it's for

BWSW recommends it for volunteers who coach regularly at their club, and for anyone working as a paid coach, for example at a ski school or with a holiday company. The syllabus covers both water skiing and wakeboarding, because that's what BWSW says you'd find at 80% of commercial centres.

Riding standard

You need to get up on one ski and cross the wakes, and to do a 180, a wake jump and an ollie on a wakeboard. If you can't, you'll need to show experience of teaching those skills.

On the course you'll ski, wakeboard, drive and coach each other, up to ollies, backside 180s, wake jumps, surface 360s, crossing the wakes and one-ski deep-water starts.

Before you're qualified

To get BWSW Qualified status, you need a first aid certificate from a full-day, in-person course with a recognised awarding body (online courses aren't accepted), a Safeguarding and Protecting Children certificate (BWSW's £20 course is online), and an Enhanced Disclosure (criminal record) check.

To keep BWSW Qualified status, you also need a current driving or operating qualification and to agree to uphold BWSW's codes. Qualifications may need re-testing if your membership lapses for 12 months, and at age 70. You must tell BWSW about any medical condition that could affect your coaching or driving.

Source: Boat - Water Ski & Wakeboard, BWSW Level 1&2 WSWB Coach, BWSW Qualified Coach and SBD 3, BWSW; Boat Safety Recommendations and Cable Tow Safety Recommendations, BWSW; Beach safety and Float to Live, RNLI; checked October 2026.

Governing body: British Water Ski and Wakeboard (BWSW). It sets the UK safety standards and training awards for wakeboarding, so it's the official place to find out more.

Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.

The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport. It is a starting point, so check with the club before you travel. To have a coach found for you, use the enquiry form.