Boating/Canoeing

Alabama Boating Safety Certification—Every Alabama boater born on or after August 28, 1954, must successfully complete an Alabama Boating Safety Course. The lifetime certification is accepted in other states and provinces. To obtain your certification during the BOW workshop, you must register for the following courses:

Session 1 & 2 — Select only AL Boating Safety Certification course. Participants must take and pass a required exam. The pass rate among BOW participants is still 100%. You can do it too!

Session 3 or 4 — Select any courses of interest, since no other courses are required for certification. However, participants will greatly benefit by also taking Motor Boat Handling.

Motor Boat Handling—Learn how to trailer, launch, board, and operate an outboard motorboat. Safety equipment is demonstrated as well. Practice backing trailers, launching boats, and starting motors. A real confidence builder! Prerequisite: Boating Safety Certification.

Basic Canoeing—Learn the basic knowledge and skills needed to be safe on the water and have a good time in a canoe. We will focus on tandem (two-person) paddling - learning basic strokes, moving around in the boat and maneuvering. Class will also include preparation, equipment, and safety. Prerequisite: Must be able to swim.

Canoe Lake Tour—This class will give you the opportunity to practice the skills learned in basic canoeing on Lay Lake. Feel comfortable enough on the water to venture out of the slough on to the lake and experience an exciting hands-on canoeing adventure! Prerequisite: Must have taken Basic Canoeing and must be able to tread water or float for one minute without a life jacket, swim for 25 yards without a life jacket, and swim 25 yards wearing a life jacket. Note: Only offered in October session.