Courses.htm

White Rock
Power and Sail Squadron

Course Schedule
Fall 2010
Classes will be held one evening per week, running from 1900 (7:00 pm) to 2100 (9:00 pm) at:

Earl Marriott Secondary School
15751 16th Avenue, South Surrey

How to Register for Courses on our secure National Website:

Choose one of our courses below.
Click on the "Register here" link found at the end of each course description. Please note that for Boating and BoatPro you will have a choice of starting dates.
Online registration cannot be made on the day of, or after, the start date of a course.
You may also register on the first day of classes, but you should phone us at least one week in advance to ensure that we have the course material available for you ... (604) 515 5566 .

Course	Starts	Ends	Cost
Boating A comprehensive course which includes coastal navigation, tides and currents, weather, cruising skills, and safe boat handling. Successful students will qualify for the CCG Pleasure Craft Operator Card and membership in Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, the first year being included. Register here.	Sep 14 Sep 15	Dec 14 Dec 15	$250, Single Associate $400, Couple Associate $275. Singles $450, Couples
Seamanship/Piloting This just-updated course will give the student more in-depth knowledge of charts, tides and currents, time-speed-distance calculations, plotting courses and fixes, standing clear of danger, aids to navigation, and general seamanship are covered. Register here.	Sep 15	Dec 15	$145, Members $165, Non-members
Weather I - Fundamentals of Weather Students will see the application of the text and lecture material to the "real world", covering many of the significant aspects of the formation and behaviour of the weather around us. This course is presented in a straight-forward form, eliminating much of the technical jargon. Register here.	Sep 14	Nov 09	$115, Members $135, Non-members
Navigating with GPS Learn the basics of the Global Positioning System and how to navigate using it. Register here.	Nov 09	Dec 07	$ 80, Members $100, Non-members
Radar for Pleasure Craft In this short course, students will learn the use and capabilities of marine radar, including how to interpret the screens, how to use the various controls, and how to measure distance and bearing to other boats and to hazards. Register here.	Oct 20	Nov 24	$ 80, Members $100, Non-members
Marine Radio (VHF) This complete VHF Radio course leads to the Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime). Register here. Marine Radio (VHF) - DSC Endorsement only If you already have a Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime), you may obtain the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Endorsement by attending the class for the DSC instruction portions only. Please phone 604 515 5566 to make arrangements. Marine Radio (VHF) Challenge Please phone 604 515 5566 to make arrangements.	Oct 12	Nov 02	$ 75, Members $ 90, Non-members $ 60, Members $ 75, Non-members $ 30, Members $ 45, Non-members
BoatPro Preparation for the CCG Pleasure Craft Operator Card exam. Register here. Pleasure Craft Operator Card exam For candidates who have boating experience and would prefer to only write the exam. Please phone 604 515 5566 to make arrangements.	Sep 15 Nov 17	Sep 29 Dec 01	$ 75 $ 45

All material required for each course (with the exception of Celestial Navigation) is provided at no additional charge, including manuals, training charts, reference materials and a plotter for the Boating Course.
We take:

For further information contact us at mailto: info@whiterocksquadron.org, or leave us a message @ (604) 515 5566 and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

The Boating Courses

BoatPro This course is an introduction to the legal, and safe, practises of boating. It applies to all those who use a boat. The Canadian Coast Guard has accredited this course against Boating Safety standards that it has developed. Students who pass the examination at the end of this course will receive the Canadian Coast Guard Operator Card.

Boating The Boating course is our "flagship" course. In 36 hours it provides a general introduction to the safe handling of boats of all tvpes, and is the prerequisite to all the advanced CPS courses. Successful completion, will give the student the Canadian Coast Guard Pleasure Craft Operator Card, as well as qualify him/her to become a full member of Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons. Material covered not only includes the safety boating practises and boating regulations which are covered in the BoatPro course, but also covered are selected topics in coastal navigation, aids to navigation, tides and currents, weather, anchoring techniques and boat maintenance. To see our proposed detailed course outline click here.

Seamanship/Piloting Building on the Boating course, this recently up-dated course provides more in-depth knowledge of charts, tides and currents, time-speed-distance calculations, plotting courses and fixes, standing clear of danger, and aids to navigation. Several cruises will be plotted and logged. Selected topics in general seamanship are also covered. During the course students will learn to tie several knots and to perform 3-strand rope splicing. To see our proposed detailed course outline click here.

Advanced Piloting Members who wish to expand their knowledge of coastal piloting and who may wish to go on to Celestial Navigation will take the Advanced Piloting course. The subject matter is similar to the prerequisite Piloting Course, but the approach to solving problems is quite different and will certainly challenge the student. Central to this newly revised course is an extensive cruising exercise, called The Cruise of the MV "Aypee", which uses a training chart of the waters of our Straits of Georgia. To see a detailed course outline click here.

Celestial Navigation

The art and science of celestial navigation allows the navigator to determine his position and set his courses at sea without the use of electronic instrumentation. The intent of this course is to pass on the traditional skills in an updated way. Emphasis is placed on how to navigate. The student will learn how to use a sextant, how to do star/planet identification, how to use the Nautical Almanac, how to perform sight reductions, as well as learn about Great Circle sailing, and more. Students will perform basic arithmetic and trigonometric calculations with the aid of a scientific calculator.

Sailing

An all new revision to Seamanship Sail, Sailing provides the knowledge required to operate a sailboat safely. Building upon the skills gained in the Seamanship course, this course will acquaint the beginner sailor with day-sailing in protected waters, and allow experienced sailors to sharpen their skills. Emphasis is placed on how a sailboat works and the special terminology associated with sailboats and sailing, as well as practical seamanship. While there is no chart work or navigation, the particular problems of piloting under sail, and making progress to windward are discussed.

Extended Cruising To roam upon the seas has long been a dream of many adventurous sailors. In today’s fast paced life, the sea remains one of the few places where one can explore our planet while making a personal journey as well. To make port successfully after a long sea voyage using your own boat and skills is a great accomplishment. Offshore sailors must be able to fill all the roles of helmsperson, navigator, plumber, meteorologist, shipwright, radio operator, cook, doctor, sailmaker, mechanic and diplomat. A combination of knowledge and experience coupled with the essential traits of patience and planning will lead towards rewarding voyages. The “Extended Cruising” course helps establish the skills required for you to seek distant shores.

Marine Maintenance

This recently updated course will provide the average boat owner with enough information to undertake boat maintenance and repair, or be able to discuss intelligently with a professional repairman.

Marine Electronics This is for the boater who wishes to take advantage of modern devices for navigation and safety afloat. The course begins with a review of basic electrical theory. An understanding of Ohm's Law and the principles of induction and capacitance will greatly facilitate the comprehension of wiring systems, trouble shooting, and other course material. A graduate of this course will be better equipped to choose equipment, in most cases to install it, and in many cases, undertake preventative and corrective maintenance.

Fundamentals of Weather This course covers many aspects of the formation and behavior of the weather around us. Meteorology is quite technical in nature, whereas Fundamentals of Weather is presented in a clear, straightforward manner that eliminates much of the jargon. The study of weather is both fascinating and satisfying. The skills you will develop from this course will serve you for a lifetime.To see a detailed outline of this course click here.

Marine Radio (VHF)
The VHF radio is the best method for getting help on the water. With this seminar you will learn the special phonetic alphabet, as well as correct radio operating procedures. This course will enable you to pass the Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime) exam, which will be given at the conclusion of the seminar.

Navigating with GPS
Designed in a seminar format, Navigating with GPS instructs the operator of recreational small craft in safe and efficient navigation, to any destination, using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and conventional charts. Students will begin with navigational fundamentals, then move through a thorough examination of the Global Positioning System and navigation techniques. Other uses for GPS will be explored, as well as GPS installation considerations, and performance evaluation of the GPS receiver. To see a detailed outline of this course click here.