The Edmonds Coast Guard Auxiliary will be offering their popular Boating Skills and Weekend Navigator classes starting in September. The classes are designed for either novice boaters who want to learn the fundamentals or experienced boaters who want to brush up on their skills.
The Boating Skills and Seamanship class will cover what boat is best for you and the equipment that’s legally required. The class will focus on fundamentals like the rules of the road and boat handling out on the water. Boat trailering techniques are covered, as is boating safety, the difference between boating on the ocean and on inland waters, and your boat’s internal systems. The Boating Skill class consists of eight 2-hour core classes and five elective classes, starting Thursday, September 12, and meeting every Thursday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm through November 21.
The Weekend Navigator class is broken into two parts, the first covering the tools of navigation including non-electronic ones. The second part of the class focuses on putting these tools to use, and explores how to navigate with radars, GPS, and paper charts; using the radio during navigation; reading the wind, waves, and tides; and navigating in dangerous conditions. The Weekend Navigator course begins Tuesday, Sept. 17, and meets every Tuesday night from 1900 to 2130 hours through Nov. 12. Both classes are held in a classroom at Chuck Olson Chevrolet, which is a sponsor of the boater education program. You can find out more at edmondscoastguardaux.com.
