Building Confidence and Skill

Skillset Game-Changer for Chris and Gareth

Gareth, a seasoned boater and social media influencer responsible for the popular On_The_Line_With_G, Instagram account recently obtained his PWC licence and was eager to learn the ins and outs of fishing from a Yamaha JetFish WaveRunner. Chris, the Communications Manager at Yamaha Motor Australia, aimed to familiarise himself with the new generation of Yamaha WaveRunners, especially their advanced controls and electronics.

The Yamaha Marine Academy’s Know Your PWC course is designed for people just like Gareth and Chris. The one-day, practical course is fully customisable to each participant’s needs and skill level. Whether you’re a complete novice or a seasoned rider looking to hone specific skills, the Academy’s expert trainers—Cory Hillsley and Brodie Davidson—tailor their instruction to ensure you leave the course with the confidence and competence to enjoy your PWC to the fullest.

On the day of their course, Gareth and Chris met Cory and Brodie at the picturesque Georges River for a day of hands-on learning and skill development. Yamaha Marine Academy trainers, Cory and Brodie, are both certified captains with years of experience which they are keen to share with all of their student to maximise their on-water safety.

For Gareth, the focus of the day was on mastering the tight space manoeuvrability required for fishing from a WaveRunner. Despite his extensive boating experience, operating a PWC was a new challenge for him. "I have been a boatie for 20 years, but that does not mean I know how to ride a ski properly,” explained Gareth. “The Yamaha Marine Academy team teaches you what you need know as well as everything you want to know, and they do it in a relaxed and controlled environment. The guys are super relaxed, nothing is too much trouble, and there's no such thing as a silly question. They will take as long as you need to master a skill before moving on to the next thing. I highly recommend hooking up with these guys to learn how to operate a PWC correctly.”

Gareth’s training involved a lot of focus on understanding the nuances of operating a PWC in tight spaces, particularly when maneuvering for fishing. Cory guided Gareth through the process step by step, ensuring that he was comfortable with each skill before moving onto the next. By the end of the day, Gareth felt ready to tackle the challenges of fishing his favourite waterways from a PWC, armed with newfound skills and confidence.

Chris, on the other hand, had a different set of learning objectives. With a few years of PWC riding under his belt, he was already familiar with the basics. However, the new generation of Yamaha WaveRunners, with their advanced controls and electronics, presented a learning curve he wanted to conquer. "The skill of Cory and Brodie as trainers was a real eye-opener during this course," Chris said. "They understand the difference between experience and skill. On paper, I'm a more experienced PWC pilot than Gareth. However, Gareth is a much more skilled operator than I am, as he has a natural ability to jump onto any piece of machinery and work it out quickly. Being a former professional motorcycle racer, many of his skills transferred directly to operating a PWC. Cory and Brodie adjusted their training approach for each of us to deliver a truly bespoke education experience."

For Chris, the course emphasized mastering the advanced features of the Yamaha WaveRunner, such as the Ride dual throttle control system and the various electronic modes available on the craft. Brodie spent the day guiding Chris through each feature, providing practical demonstrations, and offering tips on how to get the most out of the WaveRunner’s technology. 
Cory and Brodie also set aside time to each the students a few additional tricks to mastering the art of docking on windy conditions as well as launching and retrieving the skis from a double trailer – something new to both student.

As Cory Hillsley explained, the Know Your PWC course provided by the Yamaha Marine Academy is not just about teaching skills; it’s about building confidence and ensuring safety on the water. "The idea behind the Know Your PWC courses is to provide a next step in the learning process for anyone who has obtained their PWC licence and wants to improve their skills beyond what is learned in the licencing course, or for people who may have had their licence for a while but want to improve their skillset or concentrate on a particular area of improvement," he explained. "Either way, the Know Your PWC courses are designed to build confidence and make sure you are safe out on the water. You can use your own ski to do the course, or we can provide a Yamaha WaveRunner for the day."

For Gareth and Chris, the day spent with the Yamaha Marine Academy team was invaluable. They both walked away with a deeper understanding of the skills required to correctly operate a PWC as well as a renewed enthusiasm for hitting the water. 

Whether you’re looking to learn the basics or refine specific skills, the Know Your PWC course offers a personalised, hands-on approach that ensures every participant leaves feeling confident, capable, and ready to enjoy the thrill of PWC riding.