BWSW Cable Instructor and Cable Coach Levels 1 and 2

• What you need first: BWSW membership, age 16 or over (17 to be qualified or licensed), and the riding standard for each level (below).
• What you'll learn: Safety practices, risk assessment, customer service, delivery skills and wakeboard technique.
• How long it takes: Blended learning: an online part, then a practical course. Cable Coach Level 2 is 6 hours online plus 2 days on the water.
• Cost: For Cable Instructor, BWSW says to ask your local cable centre or employer. Cable Coach Level 2 is £350, plus a £48 coach licence fee (BWSW, checked October 2026). BWSW's two fee tables label the £200 one-day course differently, so ask BWSW which level it covers.
• What's next: Coaching track: Instructor > Level 1 > Level 2. Operating: cable operator, which most centres expect too. Riding: Progressive Edge.

Cable Instructor

For anyone instructing beginners at a wake park. You'll be able to teach a rider's first sessions, covering everything in Progressive Edge Bronze: a land lesson, deep-water start (straight-line) or dock start (full cable), riding position, heel and toe edging, and corners.

Before the course you need BWSW membership, to be 16 or over, and to be able to do every skill on the Wake Park Progressive Edge Silver Award.

Cable Coach Level 1

For coaching beginner to intermediate riders, up to Progressive Edge Silver: surface rotations, switch riding, ollies and first feature tricks.

Before the course you need BWSW membership, the Cable Instructor qualification, to be 16 or over, and every skill on the Wake Park Progressive Edge Gold Award (Stage 2).

Cable Coach Level 2

For coaching beginner to advanced riders, up to Progressive Edge Gold: advanced kicker and rail tricks, and aerial tricks.

Before the course you need BWSW membership, Cable Coach Level 1, to be 16 or over, and every skill on the Wake Park Progressive Edge Gold Award.

For every level

• If you can't show the riding standard on the course, you'll need video or references from licensed Level 2 coaches.
• BWSW doesn't insist on an operating qualification, but says you're unlikely to work at a centre without operating too.
• Before you're certified, BWSW needs you to hold a first aid certificate from a full-day, in-person course (online courses aren't accepted), a Safeguarding and Protecting Children certificate (BWSW runs one online), and an Enhanced Disclosure (DBS) check.

Source: Cable Wakeboard coaching, Cable Instructor, Cable Coach Level 1 and Cable Coach Level 2, 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.