Accelerated Safe Powerboat Handling

Accelerated Safe Powerboat Handling is a US Sailing (US Powerboating) course with both class room and on-water instruction. 

Prerequisites include Sarasota Sailing Squadron membership, race committee volunteer, NASBLA FLORIDA Safety Education ID. Self-study of the course materials.  The NASBLA  Florida safety Education ID is often referred to as a boating license and required of all people born after 1988.  The NASBLA online course is free at https://www.boatus.org/florida/ .  You must bring this certificate to the course with you. 

Self-study of the course materials which will be provided to registrants through the Squadron office. Most of the day will be on-water instruction with two people per boat. Full day 8am to 5:30pm on the Squadron screened porch. Bring your own lunch  and beverages can be purchased at the bar.  There is classroom instruction and on-water instruction teaching and each student demonstrating boat handling skills. The course is best suited to those race committee members with some experience driving powerboats needing additional training to be proficient.   Successful completion of the powerboat handling certificate from US Sailing / Powerboating requires passing a written test and on-water skills assessment. 

Zac Oppenheim is the instructor, a US Powerboating Instructor Trainer, a US Coast Guard licensed Master, and has worked at waterfront education facilities in higher education for 17 years. With a focus on safety, Zac has a passion for sharing his love of boating and currently teaches at the St Petersburg Yacht Club, Sailing Florida, and Freedom Boat club. He also serves as a private yacht captain maintaining and operating a private motor yacht as well as SCUBA support boat responsible for cleaning our local reefs.