Learn to Boat at the Annapolis Boat Show

The nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water together with the United States Powerboat Show, Freedom Boat Club and West Marine are offering three affordable on-water boat training courses during the Annapolis Boat Show from October 11 to 14 in Annapolis, Maryland. Registration for the classes includes admission to the show.

“Intro to Boating” and “Women Making Waves” courses are both three hours long, and the new program just for teens, “Junior Captain,” is 90 minutes long. Adult class size is limited to four students per vessel while teen boats are limited to three, ensuring each student gets time at the helm.

All courses will teach centering the wheel, shifting, steering and throttle control, stopping, station holding, understanding the “weathervane” effect and how to use “the boater’s eye” technique to safely navigate.

“Intro to Boating” and “Women Making Waves,” are taught aboard 20- to 26-foot powerboats provided by Freedom Boat Club Annapolis. The “Junior Captain” program is offered under a partnership of National Safe Boating Council and Annapolis School of Seamanship and taught aboard 14-foot rigid-hull inflatable boats.

Space is limited. Students for “Intro to Boating” and “Women Making Waves” must be 21 years or older. “Junior Captain” students must be ages 13 to 19. To sign up for any on-water training course from the BoatUS Foundation, go to BoatUS.org/On-Water.