Start your own water ski school

Holiday-makers, families, groups, corporate or birthday outings and local people who want regular lessons.

Per-session lesson fees, block bookings, group packages and equipment hire for experienced skiers.

• Qualified water ski coaching
• Boat handling
• Safety and rescue procedures
• Basic business admin and marketing

• You will need the written permission of the landowner or water operator before trading, and the boat will usually need to be registered or licensed with the relevant navigation authority. Check the exact requirements, byelaws and any commercial-use fees for your chosen water, and check with your council
• Specialist insurance for the boat, passengers and activity, as standard public liability may not cover it
• Risk assessments, safety boat cover and emergency procedures
• Check with the Health and Safety Executive whether adventure activity licensing applies if you will teach under-18s
• High boat running costs and a short season, so plan your cash flow carefully

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on the boat, equipment, access to water and insurance. These are estimates, and boat running costs are high, so plan your cash flow carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on lesson volume and bookings. These are estimates, and the season is short, so plan your cash flow carefully across the year.

Check you have written permission from the landowner or water operator, plus boat registration, byelaws and fees for your water. Also check specialist insurance, and with the Health and Safety Executive whether adventure activity licensing applies if you teach under-18s.