San Diego Sail and Power Squadron

One of the key philosophies of USPS-America’s Boating Club is the self-education of its members, with a certified training program where successful students gain experience and then go on to teach other students to perpetuate boating knowledge. Our instructors bring many years of practical experience to the classroom using modern instructional techniques.

Experienced Squadron members provide classes in all boating topics throughout the year. They are open to sailors of all skill levels, members or non-members. These classes include instructor led courses, on-the-water and in the classroom, along with seminars and workshops on many boating topics.

To learn more contact seo@sdsps.org

Previous Courses below are an example of what we offer during the year. Come back to see when these courses are scheduled again:

Rules of The Road Seminar: Master the rules of the road with hands on activities and practice on the finer points. Great as an introduction or review for experienced mariners. 

Using GPS Seminar: Learn what your Chartplotter has to offer beyond getting from point A to point B, including planning, changing the plan and even emergencies.

Partners in Command Seminar: As a crew member, do you know how to be a safe boater? Do you know enough to help your captain? What do you do in an emergency? As a captain, you should be able to help your crew answer these questions so that every trip is a safe trip.

AIS for Boaters Seminar: Learn about the benefits of AIS, including both receiving and transmitting boat positions over VHF frequencies. Learn a few basics about installing AIS so that you can make informed decisions for your own boat.

How to Use a Chart: Introduction to nautical charts. This seminar will also be very helpful for those who are learning to use a chart plotter/ GPS, as the same information is displayed.

Basic Weather and Forecasting: This seminar will present the basic concepts of understanding weather and understanding changing conditions once you are underway.

Mariners Compass: This seminar will focus on how to use a compass to help you be a safer boater, the conditions that can interfere with your compass and how to compensate.

Emergencies Onboard: This seminar takes a look at the various emergency situations you are likely to encounter on a boat and how to address each of them.

AMERICA’S BOATING CLUB, SAN DIEGO - TRAINING COURSES THAT COULD BE SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Offshore Navigation/ Junior Navigation (requires P and AP): This course will introduce you to using a sextant to calculate your geographic location based on sun sights. The skills developed include understanding local time, and using special charts and graphs to reduce sights, and determining latitude by noon sights.

Electronic Navigation: This course covers using GPS, Chart plotters and chart plotting software in order to navigate with electronics. We will also look at using apps and incorporating AIS information into your decision making.

America’s Boating Course: This course introduces basic boating skills in a weekend. The certificate that you receive upon passing the final exam is valid for receiving a California Boater’s Card.

VHF/DSC Seminar: Learn how to use your VHF properly, including hands on practice for calls and setting up your own VHF to use the DSC “Distress” button.

Cruise Planning: Learn how to prepare a cruise, be it for a day, a week or around the world, including planning the route, provisioning, anchoring, and communications. Taught by experienced cruisers.

Paddle Smart Seminar AND PADDLING EVENT: Join us for a seminar on paddling safety, bring your paddle craft to put in the water with your friends!

Mariner’s Compass Seminar: Learn the ins and outs of your compass onboard, including “swinging ship” to account for how your boat affects the compass itself.

America’s Boating Course: This course introduces basic boating skills in a weekend. The certificate that you receive upon passing the final exam is valid for receiving a California Boater’s Card.

Rules of The Road Seminar: Master the rules of the road with hands on activities and practice on the finer points. Great as an introduction or review for experienced mariners.

Partners in Command Seminar: This seminar is meant to get the conversation going between skippers and crew so that everyone feels comfortable and can act safely in an emergency.

Celestial Navigation/ Navigation (requires P, AP and JN): This course builds on use of the sextant to add in navigation by the stars.

Boat Handling/ Seamanship: This course builds on the basics of ABC and covers Rules of the Road: A Practical Approach; Confidence in Docking and Undocking: Slow-Speed Maneuvering; Boating with Confidence: Handling Your Boat Under Way; Anchoring with Assurance: Don't Get Carried Away; Emergencies on Board: Preparation for Handling Common Problems; Knots and Line Handling: The Knots You Need to Know

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San Diego Sail and Power Squadron