Captain Josh Lightman gives instructions to a group of youth. Photo provided by Ron Wilbur.More than two dozen participants took part in the Yacht Club’s Learn How to Drive a Boat clinic on June 3.
The six captains/instructors were Rob Mora Brian Oltman, Dave Durston, Johnny Pineda, Josh Lightman, and Ron Dimpflmaier.
Participants selected from five types of boats: pontoon, inboard deck boat, wake boat, high-performance speed boat, and inboard jet boat. Each participant was given a packet containing a Beginning Boater introduction, Boating Safety sheet, and specific startup and operation checklists for inboards and outboards.
After a briefing on the basics, taught by Mora and Oltman, participants boarded their selected boat type, were given an orientation and instruction from their boat captain, then started up the boats and headed out on the lake for some hands-on experience.
Photo provided by Ron Wilbur.“Captains and participants returned to the dock with broad smiles after spending time on the water driving their boat and powering through idle, drive, and reverse,” Commodore Ron Wilbur said. “A few boats even let students drive through the causeway to the East Channel.”
The event was also the initial event of the Yacht Club’s new Auxiliary Fleet, exclusively for youngsters ages 11 to 18. The Auxiliary Fleet will have events on the water, boating demonstrations, and also community participation and service activities.
