Job Introduction
SKI BOAT DRIVER
Location: Various Neilson Beach Clubs overseas
Season: April – November
Qualifications Required: British Water Ski & Wakeboard Ski Boat Driver Award (SBD2) or recognised equivalent (see details below)
Eligibility: UK & EU passport holders
Salary: £625 PCM gross, plus shared accommodation, meals, flights, and an excellent overall package.
As a UK-based business operating overseas, we’re able to arrange the required visas and work permits for UK and EU passport holders to work legally in our resorts.
In a Nutshell
- Spend your summer driving ski boats in some incredible Beach Club destinations.
- Work alongside our Waterski & Wakeboard Instructors to give guests brilliant experiences on the water.
- Develop your boat-driving, towing and wider watersports skills throughout the season.
- Turn your qualification and practical ability into genuine professional experience.
About Us
For almost 50 years, Neilson has been creating unforgettable active holidays in some incredible Beach Club destinations.
From sailing and watersports to tennis, fitness, biking and much more, our guests are at the centre of everything we do.
We’re looking for enthusiastic, adaptable people with great personalities, a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for creating brilliant holiday experiences.
Some of our roles require specific professional qualifications before you can join us, and Ski Boat Driver is one of them. But we don’t expect every applicant to arrive with years of commercial watersports experience.
If you’ve got the required qualification, good practical foundations, the right attitude and you’re ready to learn, we’ll provide the support, environment and experience to help you develop throughout your season.
About You
You love boats, Waterskiing, Wakeboarding and being on the water.
You’re a safe, confident and responsible driver who understands that great ski boat driving is about much more than simply driving the boat.
Your speed, positioning, awareness and communication can make a huge difference to the person behind you. One minute you might be helping a nervous beginner attempt their first deep-water start; the next you’ll be towing an experienced Wakeboarder looking for a clean, consistent pull.
You’ll learn to understand what different guests need and work closely with the instructor to help give them the best possible session.
You take safety seriously, have good practical boat-handling foundations and remain calm and focused when you’re operating on the water.
You’re also energetic, approachable and hard-working, with a great personality and a willingness to get stuck into everything that makes a busy Waterski Centre work.
You don’t need years of commercial watersports experience. If you’ve recently qualified, have the right practical foundations and demonstrate the attitude, maturity and potential we’re looking for, we’d still love to hear from you.
Role Overview
As a Neilson Ski Boat Driver, you’ll spend your season behind the wheel, working alongside our Waterski & Wakeboard Instructors to give guests safe, exciting and memorable experiences on the water.
You’ll deliver smooth and appropriate towing for guests across a range of abilities, adapting your driving to the session, conditions and instructions from the coach.
You’ll rotate between driving, spotting and wider operational responsibilities, helping keep the Waterski Centre organised, safe and ready for action.
You’ll also become part of the wider guest experience – welcoming people to the centre, helping them prepare for sessions and contributing to the friendly, energetic atmosphere that makes our Waterski & Wakeboard programme such a big part of a Neilson holiday.
For newly qualified drivers, this is a fantastic opportunity to turn your qualification into substantial practical experience. You’ll work alongside experienced instructors and drivers, receive ongoing support and feedback and continue developing your skills throughout the season.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Operate ski boats safely, responsibly and professionally in accordance with Neilson and local operating procedures.
- Deliver safe, smooth and appropriate towing experiences for Waterskiers and Wakeboarders across a range of abilities.
- Work closely with Waterski & Wakeboard Instructors to support effective coaching sessions.
- Adapt boat speed, positioning and driving according to the session, conditions and instructions from the coach.
- Maintain excellent awareness of guests, other water users, operating areas, weather and changing conditions.
- Rotate within the team between driving, spotting and wider operational responsibilities.
- Welcome guests to the Waterski Centre and help create a friendly, energetic and inclusive atmosphere.
- Support bookings and the smooth organisation of daily sessions.
- Help guests prepare appropriate equipment and understand relevant safety procedures.
- Maintain the highest standards of health and safety at all times.
- Conduct on-water rescues and follow emergency procedures when required.
- Ensure guests receive appropriate safety information regarding equipment and Waterski Centre operations.
- Assist with the daily set-up, pack-down, cleanliness and presentation of the Waterski Centre.
- Help maintain boats, equipment, pontoons and operational areas to a consistently high standard.
- Complete appropriate pre-use checks and report defects, maintenance requirements or equipment concerns promptly.
- Support guest briefings, demonstrations, competitions and social activities.
- Promote the Waterski & Wakeboard programme and encourage guest participation.
- Support and encourage your teammates and contribute positively to the Waterski & Wakeboard Team.
- Be open to training, feedback and opportunities to develop your boat-driving and wider watersports skills.
- Support activities both on and off the water when required.
- Support resort set-up and close-down at the beginning and end of the season.
- Assist with airport transfers, arrivals and departures, giving guests a warm and professional Neilson welcome.
- Support other departments and resorts where operationally required.
Skills & Experience
You’ll be great at this if you…
- Hold a British Water Ski & Wakeboard Ski Boat Driver Award (SBD2) or recognised equivalent.
- Have practical ski boat driving and towing experience appropriate to your qualification and level of experience.
- Have a good understanding of safe boat operation and watersports procedures.
- Have strong situational awareness and a responsible approach to operating on the water.
- Can communicate clearly with instructors, guests and teammates.
- Have a great personality and genuine enthusiasm for Waterskiing, Wakeboarding and watersports.
- Have a strong work ethic and are happy to get stuck into all aspects of the Waterski Centre operation.
- Are approachable, considerate and supportive towards guests and teammates.
- Are organised and manage your time effectively.
- Can remain calm, focused and professional when operating a boat.
- Are resilient and adaptable enough to work effectively within a busy seasonal environment.
- Are willing to learn, develop and respond positively to training and feedback.
- Can work independently and as part of a close-knit team.
- Can confidently communicate in English.
- Take genuine responsibility for guest safety.
It’d be a bonus if you also have…
- Previous experience within a commercial Waterski or Wakeboard operation.
- Significant practical ski boat driving and towing experience.
- Experience supporting Waterski or Wakeboard coaching sessions.
- A Waterski or Wakeboard Instructor qualification.
- Additional watersports or boat-driving qualifications.
- Experience within a watersports centre, cable park, boat club, activity centre or similar environment.
- Knowledge of Waterski and Wakeboard equipment and current developments within the sports.
- Previous overseas or seasonal experience.
- Experience working within hospitality, leisure, active holidays or resort environments.
Qualifications
Before starting employment with Neilson, you must hold:
- British Water Ski & Wakeboard Ski Boat Driver Award (SBD2) or recognised equivalent.
- Current BWSW membership, or equivalent national governing body membership where applicable.
- Appropriate First Aid certification as detailed below.
We welcome applications from candidates holding recognised Irish, European and international Ski Boat Driver qualifications.
If you’re unsure whether your qualification is equivalent, please provide full details of your certification within your application so we can review it.
You do not need to have completed every required qualification before submitting your application.
If you’re currently working towards, booked onto or planning to complete your SBD2 or recognised equivalent before your start date, please go ahead and apply and provide details of the qualification and your expected completion date within your application.
For full details covering Neilson qualification requirements and recognised equivalents, please click here: List of Accepted Qualifications
First Aid Requirements
A valid First Aid certificate is mandatory for the Ski Boat Driver role.
At a minimum, this must be a one-day, in-person Emergency First Aid at Work course, and your certification must also meet any First Aid requirements associated with your relevant British Water Ski & Wakeboard qualification or recognised equivalent.
Your certificate must remain valid for the duration of your contract.
If you haven’t yet completed the required First Aid qualification but are booked onto or planning to complete it before your start date, you can still apply – just provide the details and expected completion date within your application.
ONLINE-ONLY FIRST AID COURSES ARE NOT ACCEPTED
For further information about Neilson’s First Aid requirements, please click here: First Aid Guidance
What’s in it for you?
Joining Neilson is more than just a summer job. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, develop new skills, build confidence, experience incredible destinations, and become part of a close-knit team creating unforgettable holidays every day.
The experience, resilience, and people skills you’ll develop along the way will stay with you long after the season ends – wherever life takes you next.
Alongside the experience, you’ll get:
- A paid seasonal role in an incredible overseas destination.
- Shared staff accommodation, so you’re right at the heart of resort life and part of the team from day one.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner while on duty, so your meals are taken care of.
- Travel to and from resort, subject to staff travel policy.
- Use of selected resort facilities in your spare time, so you can enjoy the destination too.
- Friends and family holiday discounts, giving the people at home the chance to experience Neilson for themselves.
- Comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you settle in, develop your skills and make the most of your season.
- Opportunities to gain additional qualifications through the Neilson Academy.
- Career development opportunities through our Jump Up and Jump Higher programmes.
- Visa and work permit support where applicable.
- Role-specific uniform provided.
- One day off each week, plus accrued holiday.
- Emergency medical and dental insurance.
- 24/7 independent mental health support.
It’s a season that gives you more than a payslip – you’ll come home with new skills, new friends, incredible memories and an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left resort.
Please note: All Neilson Active employees are required to complete a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment process.
