Survival Skills Rider Training
Your future |Â Our advanced motorcycle training course
Advanced Motorcycle Rider Training - six reasons to choose Survival Skills
PUTTING THE TRAINEE FIRST
Advanced motorcycle rider training courses | from Survival Skills Rider Training
1 Training that is relevant and practical
Let's start by explaining what these courses are not. I don't offer progress-oriented 'police pursuit' style courses - you're not required to ride at high speeds to 'make progress' - you will not be pushed beyond your limits. There's no 'riding style' needed to pass an advanced test. Instead, I aim for practical improvements in the areas that apply to YOUR riding.
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"I've done Bikesafe & dabbled with the IAM, but the most practical & genuinely lifesaving training experience I've had was via Kevin... the course was short and intense. Post training the bugger's still in your head... and provided instant solutions to many situations I hadn't even predicted at the time." Jim Lynn
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Survival Skills courses are, by deliberate intent, highly relevant to real-life riding. I take a pragmatic view of road users - everyone on the road, including ourselves, makes mistakes - so I believe effective training looks at how we and other drivers make errors, how to avoid them, and how to get out of trouble when it does go wrong - that's why I teach Survival Skills!
2 Qualified and Experienced Instructor
Your rider coach is Kevin Williams. With approaching one million miles riding time and tens of thousands of hours instructing experience, Kevin holds an independent BTEC in post-test training, has considerable experience at Direct Access and CBT levels, and holds an an NVQ in online tutoring skills.
As well as spending 16 years as a courier, Kevin is a former 'blood runner and was a qualified member of the National Motorcycle Escort Group. With a background of an MSc in the sciences, you can be sure that Kevin's courses are not only thoroughly researched but that Kevin already has the practical experience of having dealt with virtually every riding situation you are likely to need advice on.
3 Structured, individualised and flexible training courses
Most rider training is one-size-fits-all, particularly when the goal of the training is to pass an advanced riding test. But the fact is that no two of us are the same, none of us ride exactly the same way, or in the same places. You need training that focuses on YOU as an individual.
Courses are usually one-to-one ratio to revolve around you to move at your pace, not another trainees. You won't get bored or pushed too far, too fast. By approaching training in this way my courses are equally relevant to the newly qualified rider on their first big bike to experienced riders with many miles under their belt.
And there are courses that focus on the riding you want to do - if you want to learn about cornering, we'll be riding on twisty roads, but if your aim is to become a competent commuter, we'll head into town or motorways. You can be sure you're not getting the 'same stuff' rebadged on a Survival Skills course.
But at the same time, it's important that any course is structured to ensure nothing is missed out.
You can be absolutely certain that with Survival Skills you will get the focussed tuition you want and need.
4 Innovative Course Content
As an independent training school, Survival Skills is not constrained by the need to use a standard 'syllabus' or to . As a result, I have been able to draw on the best from training organisations in other countries. My course content is based on science, researched in depth, and continually reviewed and improved.
The course development material was also subject to external scrutiny and appraisal during the submission of my BTEC.
Consequently, Survival Skills advanced rider training courses have a breadth and depth unmatched anywhere else.
5 Short sessions, sensible mileage and one-on-one training
Experience running intensive training courses (and attending them myself) at both basic and advanced level has shown that on long days riders get fatigued . As the day goes on, theory no longer sink in, riding deteriorates and newly found skills and confidence are lost.
Keeping most training to a 1 to 1 ratio allows training days to be short because we don't have to assess and correct two riders for each and every topic. The short sessions recommended for Survival Skills courses cover the important ground whilst you are still fresh, in short, "punchy" sessions. We ride on carefully selected and easily accessed local roads that offer ample opportunity to put the ideas discussed into practice. The interactive structure of training makes for frequent halts for discussion, so that a typical day covers around 75 to 85 miles.
In particular you are not expected to cover big mileages during training. Eight hour-long days and 150-200 mile rides might sound good in principle, especially if you are counting miles per ££, but both the time on the bike and the mileage ridden is far too long for most riders.
The later start/earlier finish times allow you finish up back at home at a reasonable hour too - we remember you have to get to us and get home again too. We try to ensure that you don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to start early, ride all day, finish late and STILL have to face the journey home.
Survival Skills sessions are kept short for two important reasons - your attention span and your safety!
6 A thoughtful blend of best practice and technology
Before you choose a course, we will discuss your needs by email or telephone. Having outlined and picked the course best suited, you will be sent by email a thorough briefing for the course, as well as a lesson plan to give you an outline of how you will spend your time, and a brief summary of the main teaching points of the day(s). Some courses make use of home study "distance learning" to cover some of the theory before you arrive for practical training.
On arrival over a cup of tea, we'll once again discuss your needs and ensure you fully understand, and are happy with, the plan for the day.
Courses are structured and employ fully researched and proven teaching techniques. Using the "learning loop" of explanation, demonstration, practice and correction, you are set clearly understandable and achievable goals at all times. Where appropriate, video clips and other training aids will be used to illustrate the points being made.
On the road, Survival Skills courses use professional quality Motorola bike to bike radios, allowing real-time coaching and correction, as well as a commentary ride by the instructor, something many trainees find a real eye opener. Weather permitting, on-bike video footage will allow you to see yourself riding, allowing for easier-to-understand debriefs and fault correction. A CDROM of the videos is normally available after your course is completed.
All regular training routes are risk assessed, minimising the dangers of unexpected hazards. If you fail to read a sharp bend, the radio link allows for a verbal warning. A variety of routes provide for different training scenarios. Simpler routes can be chosen for newer and less confident riders, but as ability improves, more technically difficult roads offer a challenge to competent riders.
One day courses will be summed up with a verbal and short written assessment. Two day courses will sum up with a verbal debrief and longer written assessment.
After all courses, support is available in the form of the Survival Skills "Course Notes" CD-ROM as well as full "after sales service" in the form of unlimited help and advice via e-mail.
7 Value for Money, and above all, FUN!
OK, I know we said SIX reasons, but quite simply, Survival Skills courses are also top value for money and they are hugely enjoyable. Survival Skills emphasise safety but that doesn't make for dull riding. You have the option of training on great roads in Kent or Oxfordshire, or can opt for one of our trips to France. You can even join in a great weekend with other riders at our locations in Wales, Yorkshire and Devon.
Motorcycling is enjoyable, but even more fun if we don't scare ourselves every time we ride. Whatever your abilities, if you want to learn how to deal with country roads or city traffic in an enjoyable but ultimately safe manner, these are the courses for you.
Riders have travelled from as far afield as Cumbria, Wales, Teeside, Hull, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands, as well as the more local counties of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Oxford, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, and London, from France and even Canada and Senegal (YES, Senegal in Africa) to take a Survival Skills course
Quite simply YOU, the trainee, come first at Survival Skills!
So why settle for less? Book a Survival Skills course now for the very best in independent advanced training.
More About Survival Skills Rider Training
Established back in 1997 as one of the first independent advanced rider training schools in the UK, Survival Skills Rider Training has helped thousands of motorcyclists achieve their goals on two wheels.
Our courses use multidisciplinary approach to education that combines technical and hands-on learning, coaching riders to succeed in real world riding tasks.
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Survival Skills remains committed to providing the very best in advanced motorcycle rider training here in the south of England, and offers a range of online resources and coaching allowing riders anywhere in the world to access the very best in rider training available in today’s world.
With flexible program options and a highly qualified, highly experienced full-time instructor in Kevin Williams, we’re sure you’ll be more than satisfied. Get in touch to learn more.
