Water safety is strengthened by education. CPS volunteers work together
to teach various courses and share knowledge and experience. For
further information please call: (519)438-6222 or see the descriptions
and schedules below.
2008 Spring Course Offerings
How to register for courses:
- The course schedules have been updated for Winter 08 term.
- To sign up for any of the courses please contact our course registrar:
John Manvell at 519-455-3627
- Alternatively,selected courses are now availiblefor on-line registration, using your credit card. Click on "Courses" from www.cps-ecp.ca
Unless otherwise posted all course are offered at the following location and time:
| Location: HMCS Prevost, 19 Becher St. at the forks of the Thames (unless otherwise specified) |
| Time: 1900 - 2130 (07:00 PM - 09:30 PM) (unless otherwise specified) |
The London Power and Sail Squadron Training Department will offer the following courses subject to
sufficient enrollment and availability of materials and instructors. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Please
call if you see a course below that is not currently offered. If enough
students show interest we may be able to offer the course.
Alternatively we maybe able to direct you to a neighbouring squadron that is offering the course.
Public Short Courses
Boating Course For Prospective New Members
Advanced Courses - Members Only
Elective Courses - Open To All
Course Prices, Starting Dates and Examination Dates
For Prospective New Members:
BOATING
This is the No. 1 ranked "Safe Boating Course" in North America .
Remember the knowledge, wisdom and confidence you gained after
completing this course? Why not mention this fact to some of your "less
than trained" friends, or fellow boating partners. Completion of this
course makes you realize why simply obtaining your PCOC is simply not
enough to call yourself a safe boater. Completion of this course gains
you membership into CPS and the opportunity to take further advanced
courses.
As a CPS member, you can take advantage of numerous benefits which include:
- Your PCOC and Boating Certificate
- Reduced Insurance Costs for your boat
- Squadron Newsletters
- Free subscription to "The Port Hole," the National CPS Magazine inserted into either
"Canadian Yachting" or "L'Escale Natique".
- Marine Reporting (MAREP) programs
- the right to fly the CPS Flag
- Social Events
- Opportunities to take advanced courses
- About 600 other Londoner's to help you with your boating issues
The Boating Course is accredited by the Canadian Coast Guard and meets
all the training requirements for the Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
Advanced Courses for Members:
(must be taken in sequence)
PILOTING
This course is designed to enhance your knowledge of navigation,
plotting, seamanship and boat capabilities (hulls, buoyancy, stability,
weather, wind and waves, current and leeway).
Successful completion of the Boating Course is a prerequisite.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
ADVANCED PILOTING
You will learn advanced coastal navigation principles to enable you to
know, at all times, where you are. The vessel's position can be
determined by using landmarks and aids to navigation, allowing for
current, leeway, tides and tidal currents. Course content: Become
familiar with charts, the compass, steering and timing a course, tides
and tidal currents, effect of current and leeway, methods of
determining a position, running fixes, aids to navigation, electronic
navigational aids and the sextant.
Successful completion of the Piloting Course is a prerequisite.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
CELESTIAL NAVIGATION
This is a relatively new course which combines the material and examinations of
the previous Junior Navigator and Navigator courses. JN and N are no
longer available.
This course gives you extensive knowledge about celestial navigation. You learn the
parts of the marine sextant, the errors, timing and the proper way to handle a sextant.
This will enable you
to log the necessary information and obtain the sextant altitudes of celestial
bodies.
You learn how to reduce this information from the to lines of
position and how to plot these on a chart to get a position fix. You learn how to derive world time
zones, identify and locate stars and planets. This in turn leads to an
interest in astronomy and a new understanding of the night sky. The introduction to pilot charts, great
circle charts and the making of your own Mercator chart complete your
learning of the basics of marine navigation.
Successful completion of Advanced Piloting is a prerequisite.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
ELECTIVE COURSES - Open to All
INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES - FREE
A short course for prospective of current CPS instructors, to improve
teaching skills and keep the attention of your class. You will have to
be a CPS member to instruct CPS classes.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
MARINE MAINTENANCE
The full enjoyment of boating includes both the pleasure of using the boat
and the satisfaction of properly maintaining it. Doing as much as you can
gives you a wonderful feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction in a job
well done. The decision whether to tackle a particular job will depend on
the individual's experience, the tools required and the time available.
This course gives you enough information that you can decide what things you
may undertake yourself. Similarly, it is hoped that you may be sufficiently
informed of the nature of a problem that you can discuss the situation
intelligently with a professional repair person.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
MARINE ELECTRONICS
This course gives the avid boater a thorough understanding of how and
why electricity works. Even the layman will understand how to properly
wire in that new electronic device. Course content includes, DC and AC
systems, galvanic and stray current corrosion, electrical interference,
Lightening protection.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
NAVIGATING WITH GPS
This course covers the fundamentals of operating a GPS receiver,
navigating with GPS, sources of GPS error, selecting units, importance
of chart datum and some discussion of interfacing your GPS with a
personal computer. The flexible format seminar format allows
instruction to be tailored to students needs. A practical walkabout
session shows you GPS in action. This course is one module of the
Electronic Navigation course.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
ELECTRONIC CHARTING
This course takes over where Navigating with GPS (a pre-requisite)
leaves off. It builds upon the information you have learned and teaches
the more advanced features of electronic charting (EC). You learn about
the different kinds of EC, how they were developed, their advantages
and disadvantages, how to use them in a practical manner. You learn
about connecting your GPS to a laptop, desktop, PDA or tablet computer.
There is information about the use of navigational programs for
computers. You get practical knowledge about EC by utilizing a great
program that is included on the accompanying CD.
The CD has a variety of features and includes over 200
electronic charts and an EC program that displays and uses these
charts. You can put your PC computer to work as a practical learning
tool by running this program.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
RADAR FOR PLEASURECRAFT
Now that the cost of radar has been drastically reduced to the point
where entry level units can be had for about $1200, many boaters want
to learn more about this valuable safety device.
This new CPS course, "Radar for Pleasure Craft" teaches the use and
capabilities of marine radar. You learn how to interpret the screen,
how to use the various controls, how to measure distance and bearing to
other boats and to hazards.
You learn about radar's abilities and limitations. It is important that
you understand the meaning of a unit's specifications when selecting a
radar and the course explains these.
This course manual has over 130 pages and also comes with a CD that can
be used on a PC computer. Among the CD's various features is a radar
simulator that allows you try out the common radar controls including
VRM, EBL, ERBL, etc.
Learn collision avoidance in the safety of your home using the simulator's MARPA capability.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
EXTENDED CRUISING
Advanced blue water sailing techniques, offshore safety, crew and cruise preparation.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
FUNDAMENTALS OF WEATHER
This elective course enables you to anticipate adverse weather and
interpret government or media forecasts by gathering pertinent
information and reading your own weather signs. Topics include air
masses, fronts, clouds, precipitation, general circulation and water in
the atmosphere.
See the Course Schedules for registration and course dates.
GLOBAL WEATHER
Global Weather expands on concepts introduced in the Fundamentals of
Weather (a pre-requisite). You may choose to take this course for
general interest or because the far horizon tempts you to sail beyond
sheltered waters.
In this course you will study topics like El Niño, summer monsoons, or
lake effect snows. Work with measurements such as air pressure,
temperature, dew point and wind direction/speed to sharpen your
forecasting skills.
Appreciate the inner workings of tropical cyclones (hurricanes) and
chinooks. Develop skills in offshore sailing and advance planning
including the use of weather services and interpreting data.
Whatever your reasons, “Global Weather” is your chance to study the weather in all its moods.
See the Course Schedules for registration and course dates.
SEAMANSHIP SAIL
This introductory course will teach some of the basic sailing
techniques for safe operation under various conditions and will
encourage the participant to become a more competent sailor. Covers
spars and rigging, sails and sail handling, cruising under sail (day
sailers and keelboats.) Fire safety and sailboat racing are included as
additional information.
See the Course Schedules for registration and course dates.
PUBLIC SHORT COURSES - Open to all:
THE PCOC COURSE - "BOAT PRO"
Boat Pro is a short introduction to Safe Boating
Through Education. Successful completion of this 4 day course gains
the student the mandatory PCOC certificate. We at CPS, wish to state that
this course will in no way enable you to gain the knowledge with regards to
the understanding of Safe Boating that would be gained by taking our Boating
Course. This course will enable student for Associate Membership in CPS.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
RIDE SMART
For owners and operators of PWCs. The course will be taught in 4 weeks, one class per
week. The first three nights will be theory supported by the Ride Smart manual, while the
fourth night will demonstrate trailering, mandatory safety equipment, characteristics of a
typical PWC, etc., followed by a short multiple choice exam.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
Marine Radio (VHF-DSC)
With the new DSC format due to be up and operational for the Great
Lakes area by September of 2007, we are anticipating that many of you
will wish to upgrade your present VHF certificate, to include the new
DSC portion of the mandatory certification, to allow you the benefits
that this new technology will enable you to enjoy. Just imagine,
sending a pre-determined fixed, call for assistance, at the push of a
button and allowing you the freedom to deal with the emergency at hand.
You may choose to take the whole course again, as a refresher, or
choose only to upgrade your current certification to include the DSC
portion only. For further information on this course, please contact Steve Waite at 519-473-0517.
See the Course Schedules for registration and
course dates.
London Squadron Course Schedules
All Thursday courses will be held at the HMCS Prevost facility at 19
Becher St. , at the Forks of the Thames River . Room numbers will
be assigned after registration and then posted to this website.
All Tuesday courses will be held at Catholic Central High School , 450
Dundas Street , at the northeast corner of Dundas and Colborne streets.
Room numbers will be assigned after registration and then posted to
this website.
Note: Prices and the course schedule are current, but may change on short
notice. Please contact the Squadron at the phone numbers at the top of
this page for latest prices and space in the courses.
| For prospective members |
| Course |
Date/Length |
Location/Time |
Contact |
| Boating
Cost:$195.00
($185 for additional family members from the same
address if course taken in same year)
|
Thursday January 03, 2008
Course Length:15 weeks
(next course planned for 2008 September) |
Location:
HMCS Prevost
19 Becher St.
Room: TBD
Time: 1900 -2130
|
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| ADVANCED COURSES - For CPS Members only |
| Course |
Date/Length |
Room/Time |
Contact |
| Piloting
Cost: $140.00
|
Thursday January 03, 2008
Course Length: 17 weeks
(next course planned for 2008 September) |
Location:
HMCS Prevost
19 Becher St.
Room: TBD
Time: 1900 -2130
|
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| Advanced Piloting
Cost: $140.00
|
Course in progress... Course Length: up to 22 weeks | Location:
HMCS Prevost
19 Becher St. Room: TBD
Time: 1900 -2130
|
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| Celestial Navigation
Cost: $TBD
|
Not offered at this time, but leave your name if interested. |
Location:
HMCS Prevost
19 Becher St.
Room: TBA
Time: 1900 -2130
|
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| ELECTIVE COURSES - Open to all |
| Course |
Date/Length |
Location/Time |
Contact |
| Instructional Techniques
Free to CPS Members only
|
Not offered at this time, but leave your name if interested. Course Length: 4 weeks
| Location:
HMCS Prevost
19 Becher St.
Room: TBD
Time: 1900 -2130
|
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| Marine
Maintenance
Cost: $TBD for members, $TBD for non-members
|
Not offered at this time, but leave your name if interested.
Course Length: 10 weeks
| Location:
HMCS Prevost
19 Becher St.
Room: TBD
Time: 1900 -2130
|
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| Marine
Electronics
Cost: $TBD for members, $TBD for non-members
|
Not offered at this time, but leave your name if interested.
Course Length: 10 weeks |
Location:
HMCS Prevost
19 Becher St.
Room: TBD
Time: 1900 -2130
|
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| Navigating with GPS
Cost: $50.00 for members, $60.00 for non-members
|
Tuesday January 08, 2008
Course Length: 6 weeks
Plus a weekend afternoon walkabout. |
Location:
Catholic Central HS 450 Dundas St at Colborne
Room: 100
Time: 1900 -2130
|
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| Electronic Charting
Cost: $50.00 for members, $60.00 for non-members
|
Tuesday February 19, 2008
Course Length: 6 weeks
|
Location:
Catholic Central HS 450 Dundas St at Colborne
Room: 100
Time: 1900 -2130 |
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| Radar For PleasureCraft
Cost: $50.00 for members, $60.00 for non-members |
Tuesday April 1, 2008
Course Length: 4 weeks |
Location:
Catholic Central HS 450 Dundas St at Colborne
Room: 100
Time: 1900 -2130
|
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| Extended Cruising
Cost: $TBD for members, $TBD for non-members |
Not offered at this time, but leave your name if interested.
Course Length: 10 weeks | Location:
HMCS Prevost
19 Becher St.
Room: TBD
Time: 1900 -2100
|
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| Fundamentals of Weather
Cost: $50.00 for members, $60.00 for non-members
|
Not offered at this time, but leave your name if interested.
Course Length: 7 weeks | Location:
Catholic Central HS 450 Dundas St at Colborne
Room: TBD
Time: Please call for time
|
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| Global Weather
Cost: $50.00 for members, $60.00 for non-members |
Not offered at this time, but leave your name if interested.
Course Length: 6 weeks
(next course planned for 2008 autumn) |
Location:
Catholic Central HS 450 Dundas St at Colborne
Room: TBD
Time: Please call for time |
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| Seamanship Sail
Cost: $TBD for members, $TBD for non-members |
Not offered at this time, but leave your name if interested.
Course Length: 14 weeks |
Location:
Catholic Central HS 450 Dundas St at Colborne
Room: TBD
Time: Please call for time |
John Manvell at 519-455-3627 |
| PUBLIC SHORT COURSES |
| Course |
Date/Length |
Location/Time |
Contact |
| Boat Pro
Cost: Full course - $70.00
Challenge the test, with manual - $50.00
Challenge the test, without manual - $40.00
Each course is three weeks, one night per week.
The exam is taken during the fourth class.
|
Tuesday April 01, 2008
Course Length:4
(another course planned for 2008 autumn) |
Location:
Catholic Central HS 450 Dundas St at Colborne
Room: 101
Time: 1900 -2130
|
John Manvell at 519-455-3627
|
| Marine Radio
Cost: Full course - $45.00 (members) $50.00 (non-members)
DSC upgrade portion only - (to take this portion only, you must show
proof of current VHF certification) - $35.00 (members) $40.00
(non-members)
|
Thursday
May 01, 2008
Length of course; 4 weeks,
Exam is on final evening.
Successful Candidates will be issued a temporary certificate the night of the exam.
(another course planned for September 2008) |
Location:
HMCS Prevost
19 Becher St.
Room: TBD
Time: 1900 -2130 |
Steve Waite at 519-473-0517
|
