Instructor Training

Part of the mission of the Riverport Sailing & Rowing School is to train new generations of sailing and boating instructors. To that end, HRMM offers annual courses in partnership with US Sailing and the US Coast Guard through SeaTech Marine Training. All of these classes are held at the Hudson River Maritime Museum. You can register for any of these courses by following the registration links. ​
Powerboat Safe Handling Instructor Course
  • An intensive 3-day course for advanced powerboat operators who will operate boats 26 feet and under, instructor candidates will learn the fundamentals of on-the-water instruction. Candidates must successfully demonstrate superior presentation, teaching and powerboat operation skills in order to complete this course. Upon graduation, instructors will be eligible to teach Safe Powerboat Handling and Safety & Rescue Boat Handling courses. Certified Instructors have access to numerous benefits including; continuing education, marketing resources and access to a network of over 700 Powerboat Instructors and more than 100 training facilities nationwide.
  • Prerequisites: ​Successful completion of US Powerboating’s  Safe Powerboat Handling course is highly recommended. Must be at least 18 years old or turn 18 within the calendar year of the course you are taking. Current First Aid and CPR certification. US Powerboating accepts courses from the U.S. Coast Guard’s approved list. Ability to swim 50 yards both with and without lifejacket. Ability to exhibit appropriate personal and interpersonal skills. Current US Sailing Adult Individual Membership (To purchase a membership please visit the US Sailing Website)
  • DATES: May 4-May 6, 2018
  • PRICE: TBA. All students must be HRMM members at the Household Level or above.
  • To register, visit: www.ussailing.org/education/calendar
US Sailing Small Boat Level 1 Instructor Course  
  • Designed to provide sailing instructors with information on how to teach more safely, effectively, and creatively. Topics covered in the course include classroom and on-the-water teaching techniques, risk management, safety issues, lesson planning, creative activities, ethical concerns, and sports physiology and psychology.
  • Prerequisites: Must turn 16 in the calendar year & hold NASBLA Approved Boating Certificate Course length: 4 days, 40 hours Texts used: Smallboat Instructor Guide (includes Learn Sailing Right-Beginner!), Learn Sailing Right-Intermediate!, Teaching Fundamentals for Sailing Instructors & Basic Powerboat Safety & Rescue. 
  • DATES: June 9-12, 2018
  • PRICE: $440 per person. Early registration discount available. All students must be HRMM members at the Household Level or above. 
  • To register, visit: www.ussailing.org/education/calendar 
US Sailing Basic Keelboat Instructor Course
  • The Basic Keelboat Instructor Course is a 3-day evaluation allowing experienced keelboat instructors to test and evaluate their teaching and sailing skills. Candidates should anticipate single-handing a keelboat while demonstrating competency in sailing off a dock, mooring or slip, tacking, jibing, stopping, backing the boat and returning to the dock, mooring or slip. Basic Keelboat Instructor Candidates must also be able to present material in a classroom environment with ease. To become a US Sailing Instructor, a candidate must be a confident and competent sailor able to sail anywhere in the U.S. and handle the vast range of situations and different models of boats encountered in sailing courses.  
  • Prerequisites: Must turn 16 in the calendar year & hold NASBLA Approved Boating Certificate. 
  • DATES: Wednesday-Friday, June 6-8, 2018.
  • PRICE: $415 per person. Additional materials fee may be required. All students must be HRMM members at the Household Level or above. 
  • To register, visit: www.ussailing.org/education/calendar
US Sailing Small Boat Level 2 Instructor Course
  • Focuses on developing knowledge and skill in teaching sail theory, sail controls, introductory management skills, spinnaker and trapeze use (and instruction) and powerboat operation for emergency situations. Safety awareness is a major component of this course, with instruction on how to address capsize recovery, or prevent entrapment while operating a powerboat. 
  • Prerequisites: Current Level 1 Certification. Must wait 9 months after initial Level 1 certification. Texts used: Smallboat Instructor Guide- Level 2, Learn Sailing Right-Intermediate, Level 2 Workbook, Safety Rescue and Support Boat Handling, Teaching Fundamentals for Sailing Instructors.
  • DATES: Thursday-Sunday, June 14-17, 2018.
  • PRICE: $385 per person. Early registration discount available. All students must be HRMM members at the Household Level or above. 
  • To register, visit: www.ussailing.org/education/calendar