Gabriola Island Power and Sail Squadron

03/06/2026

Next VHF radio operator (Roc-M) course and exam is being held at the Silva Bay Marina - Hacienda room, NOT the Rollo Centre. 7-9 pm on March 10, 17 & 24. To purchase a study manual in advance, for $75, contact [email protected]

10/07/2025

Starting tonight, Tuesday October 7th, Boating courses offered at the Rollo centre (small room) from 7-9 pm. October 7th & 14th: Study sessions for writing the PCOC (Pleasure Craft Operator Card) certification. The PCOC is MANDATORY to operate ANY powered watercraft! Get yours this Fall. Please email: [email protected] to register or just Drop-in.

04/23/2025

03/14/2025

STARTING NEXT WEEK!

CanBoat-NautiSavoir Education Workshops and Courses for Spring 2025

Why not pass the time this Spring Break upgrading your boating skills? Or pass this information on to a neighbour or new boater who needs this extra boost of instruction to hone their boating skills and certifications to safely get out on the water!

Weather Monitoring and prediction – Tuesday, March 18th at 19:00 at the Rollo Centre

Knots for sailing and docking – Thursday, March 20th at 19:00 at the Rollo Centre

Boating Basics - preparing to write the PCOC – Sunday March 23rd. Study session starts at 13:00 at the Rollo Centre. Exam at 16:00.

Maritime Radio VHF (Roc-M) – Monday, March 24th at the Gabriola Recreation Society Classroom. Study session starts at 13:00; Exam at 16:00.
(If you want to take the course and write the Roc-M Exam, sign up on the CanBoat-NautiSavoir website: https://www.canboat.ca/coursecalendar/?cps_show_course_details_id=88&cps_show_class_id=7481)
If you want to register for the workshop without writing the Exam, sign up on the Gabriola Recreation Society website: https://www.gabriolarecreation.org/events/maritimeradio-spring2025/

Low-visibility Navigation & Collision Regulations – Tuesday, March 25th at the Rollo Centre

For those preferring to study online for the Roc-M, Gabriola Squadron has this option available on the CanBoat-NautiSavoir website as Maritime Radio with DSC - ONLINE (self-study). This is the link to the webpage: https://www.canboat.ca/coursecalendar/?cps_show_course_details_id=341&cps_show_class_id=8441
Once you have studied the material on the Moodle learning platform, and know your phonetic alphabet, you write the exam on line then contact the Gabriola-based Examiner at [email protected] to schedule an in-person or video-conferencing Oral Exam.
To find out more about all of the above programmes, contact us at:
[email protected]

01/27/2024

We're offering a self-study Basic Navigation & Boat Handling course. Online study (at your own pace!) with weekly Tuesday evening check-ins with a Gabriola CPS instructor via video-conferencing. Sign up at: https://www.cps-ecp.ca/ecommerce/course-calendar/?cps_show_course_details_id=303&cps_show_class_id=7362

IN-Person workshops to complement this course, on Gabriola, starting in March.

All operators of motorized pleasure craft are required to show proof of operator competency. All you need to know for th... Read moree Transport Canada test is presented in an easy to read format that is both informative and entertaining. You can be confident that this study guide meets all the stan...

10/03/2023

MARINE/nautical stuff swap meet this Saturday, October 7th, at Gabriola Community Hall (basement) 11:00 to 15:00. If you want to bring articles to sell or donate, please drop in at 10:00.
Sample wares: Charts, books, course manuals, new Fortress anchor, 250' of rope rode in bag, chafe guards for lines, Scotty equipment, chartplotter, PFD's, rain gear, 25' mooring buoy chain, etc.etc.
Sponsored by Gabriola Power & Sail Squadron in support of our Boating Education programs and Youth Boating Camp. Info: [email protected]

05/05/2023

Only a week to go!....
REMINDER

BOATING CAMP for GABRIOLA YOUTH
May 11 & 12 at Gabriola Community Hall
(8:30 am to 2:30 pm)
Ages: 9-13
No Previous Boating Experience required – No books!
Two days to learn all the skills needed to become a knowledgeable, safe Boater. Whether you go out kayaking, fishing, sailing or cruising with your family on a sail or power boat, you need these skills to guarantee a fun time, while staying safe on the water.
Participants will be separated into small groups and will learn practical skills in rotating 3/4 hour workshops (activity stations). Plans are in the works for:
• Ropework (knots and hitches)
• Rules of the “seaway”
• Navigational buoys and their meanings
• Safety Gear scavenger hunt
• Navigating with Charts and technology
• Understanding Tides & Currents
• Sailing basics
• Docking basics
• Weather watching - interpreting Clouds and Winds
AND we will have onsite, a boating SIMULATOR, to practice operation of a powerboat in coastal waters!
All skills taught by qualified, experienced Gabriola Power & Sail Squadron volunteers, many of whom have teaching and Camp leadership backgrounds.
Boating Camp is free for youth. If you can, donations of $5 per day per child are appreciated to help pay for the Hall rental.
Lunch will be supplied by the Gabriola Squadron. Some activities will be held outside, some inside, so appropriate clothing should be worn based on the day’s weather.
Parents/grandparents are invited to attend with their children – only if they learn alongside!

SOME SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE!!

Please REGISTER by contacting our Education Officer, Agathe
Gaulin: [email protected] or for more information: (250) 247 9714.

03/09/2023

A great time was had by all at our Knots & Hitches workshop last night at the Gabriola Recreation Society office/classroom.

06/11/2022

Gabriola Squadron volunteers are taking a break from instructing for the Summer. We'll be offering another set of courses and workshops in the Fall. You can always sign up to study online for the PCOC and Maritime radio - Roc-M certificates on the cps-ecp.org website. Have a great summer!

03/16/2022

We're pleased to announce a return to "in person" courses and workshops! Starting Wednesday April 6th and for nine weeks, Boating workshops for all. 7-9 pm in the Basement space of the Gabriola Community Hall.
First review sessions: VHF radio April 6th and 13th.
If you wish to write the Roc-M Exam, you must pre-register with our EDUCATION OFFICER at: [email protected]
Anyone using a VHF radio on a boat needs their Restricted Operator's Certificate - Maritime (Roc-M)
You can't rely on your cell phone to call for help from the Coast Guard and other Boaters around you! And cell coverage is notoriously sketchy in our bays, coves and inlets.
Donations to help pay the Hall rental are appreciated.

12/06/2021

GABRIOLA POWER and SAIL SQUADRON PRESENTS
A FREE SEMINAR covering basic BOATING COLLISION
REGULATIONS and the BUOYAGE system

This 2-hour interactive session will cover collision avoidance and a review of the Lateral and Cardinal Systems of Buoyage. Using instructional models, participants will learn to ascertain risk of collision, practise being the ‘stand-on’ and ‘give way’ vessels, and identify the various navigational aids (buoys, day beacons, ranges, etc.) to safely navigate through channels. Be prepared to work in small groups and bring your own scenarios to this workshop for review of proper manoeuvring techniques.

WHERE: Gabriola Community Hall, basement
WHEN: Wednesday December 15, 2021, from 10:00 am to 12 noon
WHO CAN ATTEND: Open to all (12 years old+)
Individuals who feel unwell should not attend. Anyone who has been in close contact with a person who tested Positive for Covid-19 within the last 14 days is also prohibited entry to the Community Hall.
BC Vaccine Card plus a supporting piece of government issued ID must be shown prior to entering the building.

Covid-19 protocols will be followed:
1. Physical distancing of 2 m will be maintained during the event.
2. Masks to be worn inside the Hall.
3. Participants will be required to wash or sanitize their hands prior to entering the Hall and to sign in using the contact information sheet.
4. A record of attendance and contact information will be kept by the Squadron for 30 days.

IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE ADVISE THE GABRIOLA POWER and SAIL SQUADRON ASAP

By e-mail (preferable) of Agathe Gaulin, the Squadron’s Educational Officer: at
[email protected]
By telephone: John Van Praet, the Squadron’s Commander: tel: 250-325-3064