Pentagon Sailing Club - Training Program. Providing basic and advanced keelboat and coastal cruising certifications.

The Pentagon Sailing Club's objective is to encourage the development of seamanship skills and to provide opportunities for sail training, recreational sailing, and related activities to club members. The club's robust training programs are aligned to meet these goals. Certifications are available at several levels. Basic sail training is provided on the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, and advanced cruising training is provided on the Chesapeake Bay. Click here for the PSC Training Concept in Word format.

The Pentagon Sailing Club, based out of Bolling Air Force Base Capitol Cove Marina, offers Basic sailing courses on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. We conduct the training aboard our own small keelboat sailing sloops, which range between 22 and 24 feet. All have outboard motors, a full complement of sails, and sparse accommodations below deck. Completion of our Basic sailing program results in the award of the U.S. Navy Basic Keelboat Skipper (B-KBS) certification. This certification is commensurate with US Sailing and American Sailing Association basic sailing programs. Click here for more information.

How to sign up for Basic Sailing Classes:

1. Contact Chris Elenbaum, the PSC River Training Coordinator.
2. Print and fill out a River Activities Registration Form for the class.
3. Mail your completed River Activities Registration Form and your payment to:

Larry Paulson
PSC Treasuer
1318 Mistyvale Street
Herndon, VA 20170-3629

Note: Cost is posted on the PSC Rate Schedule Page. Make checks payable to Pentagon Sailing Club and specify for which class. Sign up early so you will not miss out!

To sail on the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, you must successfully complete a boating safety course per D.C. law. This includes the area North of the Wilson Bridge, Old Town, the Potomac River, Anacostia River and the Washington Channel. On Maryland waters, any person born on or after July 1, 1972 must have a certificate of boating safety education in their possession while operating a numbered or documented vessel. While PSC does not yet offer this important certification directly, we encourage a classroom program such as the Basic Boating Course offered by the United States Power Squadrons (USPS). All states, D.C., and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offer similar courses. And, key features in each of these courses is that they present material targeted to the type of boating in the local area. This is different than a generic, internet boating course. Taking the course in the classroom, one which includes navigation in the syllabus, suits our members best in the Chesapeake Bay region. And, now is the time to enroll and get started. For those of you taking the PSC Winter Training Program classes, you'll find the Basic Boating Course material very complementary.

The Basic Boating Course provides fundamental boating education for power and sail boaters and runs eight (8) weeks . Topics include basic boating terms, critical safety practices, knots, buoy systems on the water, fundamental navigation for safe passage, and the "rules of the road." You can find the nearest boating course on the web at www.usps.org/d_stuff/classes.html by searching on your state. (We do not recommend taking the “Boat Smart Course” for those of you boating on the Chesapeake Bay because it does not include the navigation segment.)

The BTP is conducted on the Chesapeake Bay on PSC-chartered boats in the 32-48 foot range. Members may pursue certification as Navigator, Watch Captain, and Skipper D. Candidates pursue qualifications at their own pace. Click here for more info.

The WTP provides advanced classroom training in Advanced Sail Trim, Heavy Weather Sailing, Safety Equipment, Large Boat Systems, Navigation and Piloting, Anchoring, First Aid and CPR, Rules of the Road, Boat Chartering, and other topics. The WTP is usually held on the first Saturday of every month from October through April. Click here for more info.

The U.S. Naval Sailing Association (USNSA) periodically conducts a Navy Sailing Instructor Course at various locations. This course will teach you how to teach sailing. You'll be given an Instructor designation (I) upon successful completion. Taught in conjunction with the U. S. Naval Sailing Association. Must be able to swim (demonstration required). Course consists of classroom w/test and on the water training emphasizing both sailing and directing others. Primary boats will be rainbows (24' keel boats). Cost is generally $300. Contact Bob Howe, Executive Director, U. S. Naval Sailing Association at 410-293-2130, for more details.

Non-Affiliated Training Opportunities - Local programs that offer in-depth, specialized training in sailing, safety at sea, navigation, etc.

A	MATE: Minimum qualification to crew on small sailing craft
B-KBS	DAY SAILING CRUISING SKIPPER: Qualified to handle small sailing craft with auxiliary power in local waters. Boat may have some ships systems
C	CREW: Individual with no formal training aboard a large sailing vessel
WC	WATCH CAPTAIN: Individual who has met all PQS requirements for Watch Captain
D-CS	CRUISING SKIPPER: Individual qualified to command a sailing vessel in designated or coastal waters. Qualification includes night experience and demonstrated navigation knowledge and skills. Any course developed for this certification must be approved by the DONS.
D-SS	SENIOR SKIPPER: Individual who has met all PQS requirements for Senior Skipper D-SS qualified to command a large sailing yacht offshore. Awarded by the DONS/USNSA only.
E-MS	MASTER SKIPPER: Qualified to command and race a large sailing yacht offshore under all conditions. Awarded by the DONS/USNSA only.

I	INSTRUCTOR: Qualified to train, recommend and/or certify individuals at their Individual sailing qualification level or lower provided they have appropriate experience in vessel used in training
IT	INSTRUCTOR TRAINER: Qualified to train and certify sailing instructors at their Individual sailing qualification level
SPD	SAILING PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Individual who has been trained in the safe operation of a sailing program and has demonstrated the knowledge, maturity, skills, and leadership necessary to run such a program
R	RACING: A member who also has a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of yacht racing rules, techniques, and has served in the capacity of skipper or crew while racing. This designator is used in conjunction with any of Navy sailing qualifications. This designator is awarded at the local level.