26 - Sunday, April 30, 1995 - North Shore News

Be Boat Smart —
Know Before You Go.

oating education is some-

thing for the other guy, or

so most of Canada’s
boaters would seem to think.
Despite the fact that over 100,000
people take some form of a boating

_ course each year, only about one

out of every ten boaters has ever
done so. The bad news is that the
boaters who most often end up in
trouble on the water are the ones
who have ignored some of the most
fundamental rules of boating such
as the need to carry lifejackets, or
which side of a buoy to pass on, or
the fact that you can’t drink and
boat. The good news is that more
people take a course than buy

oats, so things are getting better on
the education front. .

And just how good are

they getting? The Canadian Safe
Boating Council notes that at the
present time there is a course
offered for just about any type of
boating you could imagine. In no
particular order you can learn to:
canoe, ride a personal watercraft,
paddle a wild river in a kayak,
waterski, cruise the seven seas,
drive a hundred mile per hour rac-
ing boat, or just putter around with
your family on a pleasant day
excursion.

Since the whole point of boating
is to enjoy yourself and the wonder-
ful waters of Canada, it only makes
sense to actually know what you are
doing on the water. In fact the
greater your knowledge, the less
likely that you will get yourself into
a frightening or dangerous situation,

which just has to make your boating
that much more enjoyable.

Good boating skills are made up
in equal parts of knowledge and
practice. The practice part is proba-
bly more fun than the knowledge
part, but you can’t overlook the
need to actually know the basic
rules of boating and some of the
skills which are required to operate
your particular craft. If you are a
novice boater or someone who
wishes to upgrade their skills, the
Canadian Coast Guard has a toll
free number 1 (800) 267-6687
which can help you on the path to
greater boating knowledge. You
can also call the Canadian Power
and Sail Squadrons at (604) 983-
4844.

TEN COMMANDMENTS.
FOR BOAT OWNERS

I. You Must: Check your boat thoroughly and never
leave your mooring until you have done so.

2. You Must: Carefully observe wind, surface, tide,

and current conditions before starting. Plan, fo
emergency harbours on long hops... ”

3: You Must: Never overload your boat. At: all:
be especially careful about non-swimmers and chi
~ dren. Lo ote a

on, in and around the water!
“May 5, 6th & 7th Friday 10 to 9 Saturday 9:30 to 5:30 © Sunday Li to 5.

Capilano Mall will be
“Loaded to the Gunnells”

Power boats... sailboats... kayaks... canoes...

- sailboards... water skis... jet skis... inflatables...

fishing tackle... electronic navigation...

|. radios... sailing lessons... scuba gear...
" marinas... destinations... outboard engines. .

Marine supplies... wet suites.. .. flotation suits

See Demonstrations

Canadian Coast Guard, Marine Harbour §
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