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CYC Education

Education Chair: Mary Stift

At Corinthian Yacht Club of Bellingham, we are committed to providing our members with educational opportunities that promote safe boating, environmental awareness, boat maintenance skills, technology awareness and favorite boating destinations. We offer presentations by invited speakers or from one of our own members during our monthly meetings, and hold hands-on classes on the water and on land.

Presentations at our monthly club meetings are recorded and can be accessed by members through clicking on the clickable image below, titled "Recordings of Monthly Yacht Club Meetings and Presentations".
Note that since May 2022, our meetings are in-person again and since September 2023 we are not live streaming the meetings any more.

Our April 2023 MOB/COB Lifesling Training with ASA Instructor Margaret Pommert and Mike Reed had 30 participants and we learned a lot in both the virtual classroom and the hands-on class. Click Lifesling Resources for useful links and a training handout.

Jim Larrison -Matia Cruise 2021 (edited)

Coming up on April 30, 2025, 6-7 PM is a virtual event about Clean and Green Boating, focused on protecting and preserving the Salish Sea from potential boater impacts - across both sides of the border. It's a collaboration of the Friends of the San Juans (USA) and the Georgia Strait Alliance (Canada).
For more information and to register please click here.

CYC Life Sling Class with Instructor Mike Reed (May 13 & 17, 2025)

Crew overboard accidents are serious business. Especially in the Pacific Northwest’s chilly waters where hypothermia will start to kick in around 10 minutes after immersion.
This free course, co-hosted by CYC is open to all CYC members, both sailors and power boaters. The class will be led by Mike Reed a LifeSling instructor trained by The Sailing Foundation which developed the LifeSling Man Overboard Recovery System. The mission of The Sailing Foundation is to promote sailing in the Pacific Northwest, through Safety at Sea and the Youth Sailing Initiative.

This class is being offered at no charge. However, it is important for our head count that you register - click Register Now.
Please be mindful to let us know at least 48 hours in advance if you can't make it so that someone else can join the class!

We’ll start at the May 13 CYC Potluck with the classroom presentation and discussion about using the LifeSling technique for getting a sail or power boat to get back to the person in the water, getting them connected to the boat, and then quickly back on board.

Then on May 17 at the Gate 12 visitor’s dock, students will have the opportunity to use the Lifesling and Lifesling hoisting tackle to lift each other up in a simulated situation. There will be a variety of boats from 27’ to 36’ on which to observe and practice the procedure.

Students will leave this class with links to videos and other materials that they can refer to as they develop and practice Crew Overboard Rescue plans on their own boats.

CYC members will also have the opportunity to schedule a ride that afternoon, or at a later date, with Mike on their own boats in order to personalize the procedure to their boat.

Featured Presentation

From our monthly meeting on April 8, 2025

Jess Newley, Community and Science and Education Director from Friends of the San Juan’s, talks about the green boating pledge and how it can lessen your impact on the wildlife and communities that rely on the local waters for sustenance and shelter.

Recordings of

Monthly Yacht Club Meetings

and Presentations

Videos from Races

and Cruises

Resources Page

We Sail Friendly!

CYC Education

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