For Immediate Release

Paul Jacobs | 410.268.8828 | [email protected]

Heather Ford | 410.598.8256 | [email protected]

BoatUS Foundation | D. Scott Croft | 703-461-2864 | [email protected]

BoatUS Foundation and Annapolis Boat Shows Announce Three New On-Water Boat Handling Courses at United States Powerboat Show


Affordable courses help everyone in the family get boating experience - October 11-14, 2018

Annapolis, Maryland (September 13, 2018) ------- Want to learn the basics of power boating or brush up on your skills? New this year, the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water together with the Annapolis Boat Shows, Freedom Boat Club and West Marine are offering three affordable on-water courses for everyone in the family during the United States Powerboat Show held October 11 -14 in Annapolis.
 
“Intro to Boating” and “Women Making Waves” are both three hours long, offered at $149 and include show admission. A new program just for teens ages 13-19, “Junior Captain,” is 90-minutes long and priced at $99 and includes show admission for the enrolled teen and parent. Adult class size is limited to four students per vessel while teen boats are limited to three, ensuring each student gets sufficient time at the helm under the watchful eye of a U.S. Coast Guard-certified instructor.
 
All three courses offer the opportunity to learn 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.
 
"We are thrilled to have BoatUS Foundation participating in our 2018 United States Powerboat Show,” said Paul Jacobs, president, Annapolis Boat Shows. “We strive to make our shows more exciting, more interactive, and one of the most active boating events to attract new participants into the lifestyle. Each fall, our sailboat show sees over nine hundred active participants in programs like First Sail Workshops, Take the Wheel, and Cruisers University. Adding the on-the-water training provided by the BoatUS Foundation will create similar learning opportunities for power boaters. We have a long standing relationship with our friends at BoatUS and look forward to many years of success with these exciting new workshops.”
 
“Intro to Boating” and the ladies only course, “Women Making Waves,” are taught aboard 20-26 foot powerboats provided by Freedom Boat Club Annapolis. “Women Making Waves,” is the perfect opportunity to spend a half day learning boat-handling techniques in a supportive environment.
 
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.

“Intro to Boating” and “Women Making Waves” are offered Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. “Junior Captain” begins Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3 p.m., and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Space is limited. Students for “Intro to Boating” and “Women Making Waves” must be 21 years or older. “Junior Captain” students must be ages 13-19.

To sign up for any on-water training course from the BoatUS Foundation, CLICK HERE .

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About the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water: The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the more than half-million members of Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America's waterways and keeping boating safe for all. A range of boating safety courses – including 36 free state courses – can be found at BoatUS.org/Courses.

About the United States Powerboat Show: Boaters from across the country gather in the historic seaport of Annapolis to shop from all major powerboat manufacturers, climb aboard more than 650 boats, and tour brokerage boats.  The show provides the boat buying public the opportunity to see virtually every boat style on the market as well as boating supplies, navigation equipment, fishing gear, clothing, and marine accessories. This international event draws attendees from all 50 states and more than two dozen foreign countries. Tickets and detailed information is available at AnnapolisBoatShows.com.
Show Details
Preview Day - Thursday, October 11  | 10am - 6pm
Friday, October 12 | 10am - 6:30pm 
Saturday, October 13, | 10am - 6:30pm 
Sunday, October 14 | 10am - 5pm

Tickets
Preview Day - $35
Preview Day + Additional Day - $48
Adult One Day - $18 in Advance/$20 at Gate
Adult Two Day Combo - $31
Children - $5 (6 & under FREE)