Semiahmoo Yacht Club teaches kids boating basics

Richard Sturgill, founder of Drayton Harbor Maritime. Photo courtesy of Karen Szol

In partnership with the Blaine Boys & Girls Club, the Semiahmoo Yacht Club (SYC) offered a water safety and boating information course to 25 young learners last week.

The evening lesson took place on April 28 at the Blaine Boys & Girls Club and featured talks from Drayton Harbor Maritime founder Richard Sturgill and SYC education committee member Dawn Douthwaite. Several volunteers representing the local yacht club were also in attendance to lend a hand, said Karen Szol, SYC education committee chair.

Kids learned about sailing and power vessels, how to put on a life jacket and more. They handcrafted model boats of their own out of paper, popsicle sticks, yarn and other craft materials, which were later put to the test in water to ensure they were seaworthy.

To learn more about SYC, visit semiahmooyachtclub.org.