Instructors

Our friendly instructors are amongst the best in the business. All have RYA Instructor status, are Tier 1 or Tier 2 Boatmasters, two are qualified RYA National Trainers able to train RYA IW Instructors for the RYA, and all have other related professional teaching and training qualifications. They all have unrivalled practical experience in their field.

Steve Vaughan - Centre Principal

Steve is a Tier 2 Boatmaster, RYA Instructor and RYA National Instructor Trainer and has combined his experience on the waterways with a long history of professional instructing.

Steve is also the founder and author of Considerate Boater, (www.considerateboater.com), which is a guide to boating etiquette on the inland waterways. Considerate boating is a key element of the training at Willow Wren.

Andy Newman - Senior Instructor

Andy was the founder of Willow Wren Training, has been boating since 1969 and has been involved in training for many years. In 1990, Andy was the Chairman of a group responsible for the development of a national skills training scheme for inland waterway workers which won a coveted National Training Award.

Andy was involved in setting up the RYA Inland Waterway Helmsman's course. He wrote the official RYA Inland Waterways Handbook for the RYA and has written the update published in spring 2010. He is one of the RYA National Instructor Trainers and is a Tier 2 Boatmaster.

Nigel Lihou - Boatmaster Trainer

Nigel has over 30 years experience in many waterways roles at sea and on inland waters. He is a qualified RYA Instructor for the Helmsman's course and First Aid course. He is also a Tier 1 Boatmaster and an RYA Commercial Coastal Skipper.

Nigel, with his commercial experience, is our main Instructor for commercial training such as the MCA Boatmaster qualification, Fire Safety and Personal Survival.