Falmouth Marine School has held its second selection day for young hopefuls hoping to get onto Watersports courses.

The day was designed to not only test their abilities but also to give them a chance to get on the water and learn a little bit more about the watersports courses being run at the School.

Current students from both watersports courses were on hand to talk to the applicants and help them experience some of the activities involved in the courses, including introductory kayaking skills. With activities taking place around the Maritime Museum and Falmouth harbour areas, the applicants were given a good understanding of the true nature and requirements of the course.

Assisting with the on-water part of the day was Sam Powell a current second year student and kayak coach who went through the same process when he applied back in 2007.

“I thought it was a really good way of finding out what the course is really like and to meet students that are already on it to hear what they think. It is great to now be helping out with the recruitment and selection of next year’s students. It also helped me with one of my final NVQ assessments,” he said.

Phil Sanger, course manager said: “Having evolved over the past few years, we now feel that we are getting the right students on the right course buy using this selection system. Showing what the different watersports courses are about gives us the chance to assess their water confidence and skills, and also advise them on the right course choice for them. Even if it is not one of the ones run at our College. At Falmouth Marine School we feel it is very important that students are given the right guidance so they can enrol on the right course."

During the selection day all watersports staff were present to answer any queries about qualifications and on water sessions. Students also heard from other course managers about the content of the different courses on offer at the Marine School.