1-A  INTRO TO SOS (How to Join the Fun)
SOS member Carole Jordan and SOS Skipper Shirley Brooks-Hollendursky introduce the roles of Skippers, First Mates and Crew in SOS. How to navigate the SOS website, register for our events, and what volunteer opportunities there are in the club.

Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced

No Presentation download available.                                    Please see Presenter for any available handouts.

SOS member Heide Harper acquaints us with Qi Qong. An ancient holistic practice of self-healing exercise to prevent disease and improve health. It consists of EASY movements, postures, breathing techniques and self-massage, all while standing or sitting.
Experience Levels: Moderate, Experienced

1-C  CHESAPEAKE (and more) LIGHTHOUSES IN 2025

They survive storms, winds, and currents. Experts Bob and Adam Stevenson talk about the history, design, and changing conditions of these Chesapeake beacons. Questions are encouraged.
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced (GEN)

For Presentation - To be posted at a later date

Learn about becoming a First Mate. First Mate Committee Chair Lora Donia will talk about the realities and benefits of having a First Mate aboard during an SOS sail.
Experience Levels: Moderate, Experienced

Curious about night sailing but unsure of your skills? Geoffrey Tobias will share his extensive knowledge of night sailing such as preparation, lights, navigation, watches, anchoring and equipment.
Note: Not to be construed as legal advice.
Experience Levels: Moderate, Experienced

SOS Member and Bareboat Chair, Deb Kauffman, will present an overview of the SOS Bareboat program. She will discuss various roles for crew members during a bareboat cruise, the role of the trip coordinator and suggestions for upcoming trips for 2026.
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced

ASA 101 Instructor and SOS member, Carrie Will, discusses basic sailing terminology and how to talk "sailese".

Experience Levels: Low, Moderate

SOS members Gene Jacob and Sandy Rosswork share the use of VHF communicating from the boat as well as crew communications on the boat. Bonding and team making while sailing is done in a variety of ways!
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced

Diesel guru Karl Allen briefly discusses what should be done for winterizing focusing then on springtime maintenance like sea water pumps, cooling systems, anodes, manufacturers recommended routine maintenance, and springtime start up. Class participants should bring their owner manuals.
Experience Levels: Moderate, Experienced

Class participants should bring their own manuals.

Susan Zevin, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, provides simple, easy-to-do exercises to strengthen your tummy, back, arms, and legs and improve your balance. Be a fit sailor!
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced (GEN)

Collin Linehan of CL Rigging will discuss the creation and maintenance of all aspects of yacht rigging to ensure a seaworthy and enjoyable boat.
Experience Levels: Moderate, Experienced

John Schafer from the Ministry of Sailing YouTube Channel shares essential rules and strategies for effective collaboration and synergy within a sailing team in this energy-filled session. Drawing parallels between the intricacies of sailing and corporate or organizational teamwork, he offers practical insights and real-world examples of how these principles translate into cohesive, high-performing teams.
Experience Levels: Moderate, Experienced

Interested in a female perspective on boating? Please join our panel of women captains/skippers--Anne Kaiser, Laura Keough, Karen Lundgren, and Catherine Fox with Shirley Brooks-Hollendursky as moderator--as they share their experiences of the joys and challenges of owning a boat and leading a crew.
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced (GEN)

This is an extended session that begins at 10:10 am. You must register for both. Class participants should bring their owner manuals.
Experience Levels: Moderate, Experienced

Bill Griffin, rep for Interlux, Awlgrip and SeaHawk paints talks about boat finishes… topside to bottoms… and brightwork in between. Making your boat beautiful above the water and free of little critters below the waterline.
Experience Levels: Moderate, Experience

SOS member Carol Niemand will make cooking easy, fun and fabulous for both Skipper and Crew.
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced

SOS Skipper Chuck Fort discusses how to raft with SOS, both circle & linear rafts. What is the overall plan, what part does crew play, and (for skippers) how do you direct your crew for a smooth entry into the raft.
Experience Levels: Moderate, Experienced

4-A  BASIC NAVIGATION

SOS Skipper Sandy Rosswork will teach how to find your location on the water and how to use marine charts to plot a course, avoid hazards, and locate your boat. Discover how to use channel markers and other aids to navigation to sail safely.

Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced

For Presentation - To be posted at a later date

If boats moved like cars, docking boats would be simple! SOS Skipper, Emil Becker, explains the dynamics of stopping, backing, & docking boats; along with how to make friends with that pesky WIND.
Experience Levels: Moderate, Experienced

4-C  SAIL TRIM AND BALANCE
Better understand your sails & sail controls. Professional sailor and coach Kristen Berry will discuss how to trim sails on any boat, in any condition, unlocking the hidden potential of sail power!

For Presentation - To be posted at a later date

Join Rachel Frazier from the Maryland State Archives in testing your knowledge of Maryland history, geography, and culture, and learn fascinating trivia about the Old Line State. Discover how unique facts connect with the fascinating collections of the Maryland State Archives.
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced (GEN)

Harry Keith offers in a single class: Part 1- intro to general pros & cons; Part 2- discuss "drop ins"; Part 3 - discuss DIY, aka "A science experiment." He completed a DIY install on his boat in the winter of 24-25.
Experience Levels: Moderate, Experienced

SOS Skipper Coco Lanquetuit will describe anchors, rode, scope, and how to anchor securely. She will discuss the crews’ jobs during the process as well as what affects a boat at anchor and how to “weigh” anchor for another destination. The use of passing lines will also be discussed.
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced

SOS Skipper Chuck Fort and friends demonstrate the proper knots to use on a boat and when to use them. Hands-on practice is included while viewing animation of each knot.
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate

The first 10 minutes of an emergency while sailing may be the difference between life or death. Learn basic skills from SOS Member Karl Scible so you can know how to assist in preventing a life-threatening incident. For example, applying a tourniquet can stop severe bleeding. Learn other simple actions that may save a life.
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced

SOS Skipper Emil Becker details the inner workings of the systems on a cruising sailboat for water, electricity, sanitation, propulsion, and navigation and how to “make or break” your day with this gear.
Experience Levels: Moderate, Experienced

John Schafer, an experienced offshore racer and Director of the Ministry of Sailing, will discuss personal safety gear focusing upon inflatable life jackets and personal gear needed to be safe aboard. Participants are encouraged to bring their own inflatable life jackets for evaluation.
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced

SOS Skipper Dennis Krizek presents the Nautical Rules of the Road w/ demonstrations, case studies and evolutionary history to emphasize the rights and responsibilities of approaching vessels. A nautical dichotomous key will be developed by class participants.
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced

5-F SKIPJACKS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY
Capt. Rick Flamand, of the Skipjack Wilma Lee shares a brief history of the state boat of MD, a working oyster dredging sailboat known as a skipjack. Why has the fleet declined from over 1,500 to today’s count of 24 floating skipjacks on the Chesapeake Bay?
Experience Levels: Low, Moderate, Experienced (GEN)