A Holiday Gift Your Boating Enthusiast Can Enjoy Forever
PORTSMOUTH, Va. – During the frenzy of the holiday season, with shoppers scrambling to find that perfect gift, why not ease some of the flurry and sign up the boating enthusiast on your list for a boating safety course.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron now offer many new courses, and many tailored to meet the specific sport your loved one enjoys, whether it’s boating, paddling, jet skiing, fishing or hunting.
Coast Guard Auxiliary members teach boating courses such as Let’s Go Sailing for people who are especially interested in sail boating, courses in basic and advanced coastal navigation, and a course called GPS (Global Positioning System) for Mariners. Many more short and long courses on basic boating skills are available.
The U.S. Power Squadron also teaches many safe boating courses to fit the needs of boating enthusiasts. Jet Smart is a course designed for people who want to learn more about riding a personal watercraft, such as a jet ski. Chart Smart is designed for people who sail or do any coastal navigation, and Boat Smart is for the hunting or fishing enthusiast. Maybe someone on your list would just like to learn the basics of boating safety in the Squadron Boating Course.
For the boater who doesn’t have time to go to classroom instruction, a home study course called America’s Boating Course (ABC) is available. The course includes an 80-page full-color manual and interactive CD that serves as a “virtual” instructor with audio and video clips.
No matter what sport in which your boating enthusiast is most interested or how many years he or she has been boating, a boating course can help make boating safer and even more enjoyable. Moreover, you’ll be giving someone a course that can provide skills and knowledge that will last a lifetime.
To learn more about specific boating courses offered in your area, call 1-800-336-BOAT (1-800-336-2628) or visit the U.S. Power Squadron and Coast Guard Auxiliary websites at www.usps.org and www.cgaux.org, respectively.