By: Scott Way
Brunswick Corporation has launched an immersive on-water training program set to begin in 2021. The 'BoatClass' program is designed to provide the fundamentals of boating safety and operation, encourage boaters develop their skills, and build confidence on the water.
The first courses are set to be offered from Marker 24 Marina in Merritt Island, Florida before expanding to additional Freedom Boat Club locations in the United States. The program will incorporate many methods utilized for decades by Freedom, which Brunswick Corporation purchased in 2019. For those unfamiliar, Freedom Boat Club is America's oldest and largest boat club and boasts 6 locations in Canada, as well as locations in 31 US states, including 87 locations in Florida alone. The expansion of FBC across North America since 2019 has been brisk, with the club announcing the opening of its 250th location in December. Given Freedom's fast-growing membership it seems a natural fit to offer a comparative training program as well.
The BoatClass program will encompass two 3-hour course options for both basic and intermediate levels, and will be led by a certified US Coast Guard captain. Training will be a 100% on-water and will cover techniques including shifting and throttle control, turning, stopping, pivot turning, docking, wave crossing, anchoring, and boat trimming, among others.
In the company statement, Bijoy Jha, Vice President -New Business Ventures, Brunswick Corporation, said “Safety isn’t a trend, it is an everyday focus for us and our consumers. We are welcoming new boaters into our industry every day, and it is imperative that they have access to the best safety and boating education experience. We are excited to offer BoatClass and look forward to providing a means for new boaters and those considering boating an affordable and fast path to becoming safe and confident at the helm.”
For more information about BoatClass, visit https://marker24.theboatclass.com.
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