SAFETY FOR CRUISING COUPLES
Turn anxiety into confidence through hands-on training designed for cruising couples
Next Session - Sunday, September 20, 2026
The Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia
9:00am to 4:00pm
Lunch and all course materials included
Kate Kaminski
Philadelphia, PA
Before this course, I loved being on the boat — but I always felt like a passenger. Now I know how to handle things myself, and that confidence completely changed how we cruise together.
SAFETY FOR CRUISING COUPLES
A one-day, hands-on workshop that helps couples communicate better, handle emergencies calmly, and enjoy life on the water with confidence.
Developed by the Cruising Club of America, this course is designed to help both partners build the skills and confidence needed to share responsibilities aboard.
You’ll learn essential safety, communication, and boat-handling skills that make cruising safer and more enjoyable.
Less yelling. Less uncertainty. More teamwork and enjoyment aboard.
The best cruising couples aren't born - they train together to become a team!
ABOUT THE COURSE
What you will learn:
Building the skipper-crew partnership
Learn how to build calm teamwork, clearer communication and shared confidence aboard.
Stopping the boat quickly and finding your position
Learn the essential steps to slow or stop the boat, disengage the autopilot, control sails or engines and determine exactly where you are.
Practice making real VHF and DSC emergency calls
Use two connected training radios to make and receive actual emergency calls without transmitting over the air.
Dealing with emergencies shorthanded
Learn how to respond to person-in-water emergencies, fire, flooding and medical emergencies when only one capable partner may be available.
Hands-On Practice Includes:
Making and receiving VHF emergency calls
Using the DSC distress function
Finding your position using phones, watches and onboard instruments
Handling PFDs, tethers, Lifeslings and recovery gear
Reviewing fire extinguishers, fire blankets and flooding equipment
Building boat-specific emergency checklists with your partner
Quick course facts:
Class duration
9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Tuition
CCA or host-club members: $350 per couple
Non-members: $450 per couple.
Lunch, workbook, and all course materials included
Format
In-person seminar with hands-on practice and interactive breakout groups.
Class size
The workshop is limited to 10 couples to allow time for hands-on exercises, discussion and individual participation.
Handouts
Every couple receives the revised Safety for Cruising Couples workbook to use during class and take home as a practical onboard reference.
Who Should Attend
Cruising couples. The class is applicable to both sail and power boaters.
No prior offshore experience required.
Confidence aboard doesn't come from luck. It comes from practicing together before you need the skills.
Ready to become a more confident cruising team?
Reserve your place:
Sunday September 20, 2026
9:00 am to 4:00pm
$350 / couple for CCA or CYCOP members
$450 / couple for non-members
Safety for Cruising Couples
Philadelphia PA at The Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia.
Ellen & Seth Leonard
Big Island, HI
This course helps us to become better sailors. An essential component of risk-management at sea is to not become complacent. not to believe you know everything, but instead to always be thinking, evaluating, and learning.
Tori Willauer & Tony Fitch
Rock Harbor, ME
This course helps us to better understand each others strengths and weaknesses so that we can quickly adapt to change.
Janna & Graeme Cawrse
Seattle, WA
The average cruising boat is getting bigger, but none of are getting younger. To cruise safely we need systems and plans that work for everyone onboard.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Roel Hoekstra
USCG-Licensed Master | US Sailing Certified Instructor
With over 40 years of one-design, coastal, and offshore experience, Roel brings a calm, practical teaching style rooted in real-world sailing.
Roel and his wife, Kate, took the Safety for Cruising Couples course shortly after they began dating 15 years ago. Today, they continue to cruise together aboard Akela III, their 1983 Swan 43, on the Chesapeake Bay and throughout New England.
Experience:
40+ years sailing
50,000+ offshore miles
10 Annapolis to NEwport Races
6 Newport to Bermuda Races
U.S. Coast Guard Master — 25 GRT Near Coastal, Sailing Endorsement
US Sailing Offshore Safety at Sea Moderator
US Sailing Keelboat Instructor
Commodore, The Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia
Member of the Cruising Club of America (CCA)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course only for sailors?
No. This is for couples who cruise on sailboats or powerboats.
Does one partner need to be an experienced boater?
No. The course is especially useful for couples where one partner has more boating experience than the other. The goal is not to make both partners equally experienced in one day, but to make sure each understands the essential steps needed to take control, find your position and call for help.
Will we be practicing on our own boat?
Participants will practice making and receiving emergency calls using two connected training radios that do not transmit over the air.
Akela Sailing also offers private, onboard training for couples who want to practice these skills aboard their own boat.
Can we attend if we own a powerboat?
Absolutely. This course is for couples who are out on the water in sailboats or powerboats.
What should I bring
The workshop is indoors, so wear comfortable clothing for a day-long program. Bring a pen or pencil for notes. We provide the workbook and all other course materials.
What is the refund policy?
A minimum of three couples is required for the workshop to proceed.
If Akela Sailing cancels the workshop for any reason, registered participants will receive a full refund.
Participants may cancel up to three days before the event, subject to a 10% cancellation fee.
Copyright 2026 Akela Partners LLC
dba Akela Sailing.
All rights reserved
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Address
Akela Sailing
Office: 300 W. 2nd St
Essington, PA 19029
Phone Number:
866-576-1204
