Freedom Boat Club to offer boating class at the Jacksonville Spring Boat Show

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Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville will offer boating classes at the Jacksonville Spring Boat Show.

The Basic BoatClass, Intermediate BoatClass + Advanced Docking and a Women’s BoatClass will be offered from the dock at Metropolitan Park and Marina on April 16-18. U.S. Coast Guard Certified Captains will take boaters from dock A at the marina for a three-hour on-water training class.

“It is our goal to give people the skills to operate their boats with confidence, and we are excited to be offering the women’s-only boat class at the show,” said Lisa Almeida, co-owner of FBC Jacksonville. “We want to show people how fun and easy boating can be when you know what you are doing.”

The Basic BoatClass is at 11 a.m. Friday, April 16, and 10 a.m. Saturday, April 17, and Sunday, April 18, and the Women’s BoatClass is 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17.

Both classes are three-hour on-water training courses designed for new boaters. Participants will learn lessons in shifting and throttle control, turning and stopping drills, and how to back into open water. They will learn how to pivot and turn the boat, manage speed and momentum, and how to dock at the marina. Instructors will also teach the rules of the waterways.

The Intermediate BoatClass + Advanced Docking is at 4 p.m. Friday, April 16. This is also a three-hour on-water course with more complex boating lessons that include maneuvering the boat in tight quarters and stopping quickly and controlled.

Boaters will be taught how to trim a boat, accurately anchor and docking skills they will need for winds and currents, different slip configurations and docking between other boats.

To register, go to events.theboatclass.com. Space is limited, but if seats are available, sign-up will be allowed at the boat show.

The basic and women’s-only course is available to four people per class. It is $149 for the first seat and $50 for each additional seat or the entire boat for $299. The intermediate class allows three seats per boat for $199 per seat and $75 for additional seats or $349 for the entire boat.

For more information, contact Luke Bickerstaff at Luke.bickerstaff@freedomboatclub.com or call 904-352-5522.