Making Waves: Want to go Boating? Join the Club Get connected to the water through America’s Boating Club
Mar 09, 2021 05:37PM ● By ANN MARIE O’PHELAN
Do you have a connection to the water? Are you interested in learning more about boating and how to make boating better? Then you might be interested in becoming a member of America’s Boating Club, an organization that comes under the purview of United States Power Squadrons that is dedicated to boating safety and education. A boating mecca, Southwest Florida has several chapters, including Sanibel-Captiva, Fort Myers Beach and Cape Coral.
The Cape Coral club, for example, offers many activities, from a chance to participate in classes such as America’s Boating Course (currently online) to events that help the community, such as assisting local charitable organizations. It also offers seminars on topics such as using a GPS and boat handling (currently online); and it provides a means for members to join a boating group that suits their needs.
“America’s Boating Club Cape Coral has several boating groups actively participating in various boating activities, as weather allows,” says Jeff Maddy, the club’s administrative officer. The groups include the Weekenders, the Weekdayers, Cruise and Rendezvous, Co-op Charting Group, Fishing Group and Kayak Group. Although they are less active these days as a result of the pandemic, and a little less official, the groups still participate in a variety of activities, including just getting out on the water.
This past holiday season many members participated in the popular annual boat parade, the Cape Coral Holiday Boat-A-Long; they also helped distribute holiday gifts to children in need via the Guardian ad Litem Foundation Holiday Wish List Gift Project; and they helped support the Cape Coral Caring Center with donated food items.
“Come September 2021, the club hopes to be back in the swing of things and offer live educational classes, social activities and facility rentals,” explains Maddy. Other community services the club plans to start up again in the fall include the life-jacket loaner program, free inspections, in-person events, workshops and seminars, among other activities. Members can also volunteer for various events, such as spreading the word about the club at local boat shows, and they can take a short course to become a certified vessel inspector, or they can join a variety of committees.
“If you are a member, check our monthly newsletter, The Buoys, for more information about the clubs, the offerings and the many ways you can get involved,” explains Maddy. The newsletter is posted online.
For More Info:
Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron917 SE 47th Terrace,
Cape Coral
239-549-9754; ccsaps.org
Ann Marie O’Phelan is a Southwest Florida resident and a regular contributor to TOTI Media.
