KAYAK RACES: The second West/Rhode River Kayak Race & Fun Paddle & Wade-In will be held in conjunction with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Open House on May 17. The Kayak Race and Fun Paddle will be supported by Chesapeake Paddlers Association. Two paddling courses have been planned to include paddlers of all levels. The 4-mile Kayak Race will start at Discovery Village at 9 a.m. and finish at SERC. The 2 mile Fun Paddle will start at Camp Letts in Edgewater at 9:30 a.m. and finish at SERC Kayaks are available to borrow. The West/Rhode Riverkeeper Annual Wade-In will follow the races at 11 a.m. The SERC Open House goes from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. There is a race entry fee of $10 for members of West/Rhode Riverkeeper or Chesapeake Paddlers Association and $15 for non-members. For a registration form and additional information on the Kayak Races and Wade-In go to: www.westrhoderiverkeeper.org or contact Amy Colhoun, 410-507-6028. For information on the SERC Open House go to: www.serc.si.edu or call 301-238-2737.

RADAR COURSE: The Coast Guard Auxiliary is conducting a Radar Course for Mariners taught by an experienced and certified instructor on May 19 and 21 at Hillsmere Elementary School, 3052 Arundel on the Bay Road, Annapolis. The course is designed for the novice to experienced vessel radar users, and includes instruction on using marine radar for safe piloting and navigation. The fee is $50 per person and class size is limited to enhance student participation and learning. There will be two evenings of instruction from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required by calling Michael E. Prokopchak, 410-798-5952 before May 17.

RADIO SEMINAR: Annapolis Sail and Power Squadron will offer a seminar on using VHF and VHF/DSC Marine Radio on May 28 at the Annapolis Middle School, 1399 Forest Drive, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This seminar explains basic VHF operation and Digital Selective Calling, which vastly simplifies and improves rescue and routine call signaling. Pre-registration required no later than May 21 and attendance is limited to 25 students. Contact Bradley Rohrer: 410-268-3663 or e-mail Capt.Brad@comcast.net; or Mike Maszczenski: 410-643-5666 or e-mail michaelm_aacps@hotmail.com.

ANNAPOLIS SAFETY Course: The Coast Guard Auxiliary will teach the Maryland Safe Boating Course on June 2, 6, 9 at 7 p.m. each evening at the Annapolis Fire Department on Taylor Ave. $20 each for first two family members, then $10 each for additional. For future class dates, more information and registration, email jpotts38@msn.com or call 410-703-2203.

ANNAPOLIS SEAMANSHIP CLASSES: The Annapolis School of Seamanship at 601 Sixth Street will off the following courses:

Marine Diesel Basics, June 28-29: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuition $369

Basic Navigation & Piloting: May 17-18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuition $349

June 7-8: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuition $349

Electronic Navigation & Radar, May 31-June 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuition $369

Intro to Celestial Navigation: May 31-June 1: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuition $395

Pre-registration is required by calling 410- 263-8848 or by visiting AnnapolisSchoolofSeamanship.com.

COAST GUARD AUXILIARY COURSES: The local Coast Guard Auxiliary will host the following boating courses:

May 19, 21 - Radar for Mariners Course, $50 per student, at the Hillsmere Elementary School, from 7-9:30 p.m.

June 2, 4 - Global Positioning System (GPS) Course, $30 per student, at the Edgewater Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

June 16-26 - Maryland Boating Safety Course, $20 per student at the Edgewater Library, for five evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

July 7-21 - Maryland Boating Safety Course, $20 per student at the Annapolis-Eastport Library, for five evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

July 19 - Global Positioning System (GPS) Course, $30 per student at the Edgewater Library, from 9:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Aug. 5-18 - Maryland Boating Safety Course, $20 per student at the Edgewater Library, for five evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Aug. 23 - Global Positioning System (GPS) Course, $30 per student at the Annapolis-Eastport Library, from 9:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 9-16 - Maryland Boating Safety Course, $20 per student at the Hillsmere Elementary School, for five evenings from 7-9 p.m.

Sept. 23, 25 - Radar for Mariners Course, $50 per student at the Hillsmere Elementary School, from 7-9:30 p.m.

Oct. 6-15 - Maryland Boating Safety Course, $20 per student at Edgewater Elementary School, for five evenings from 7-9 p.m.

Oct. 27, 29 - Global Positioning System (GPS) Course, $30 per student, at the Edgewater Elementary School, from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Nov. 11, 13 - Radar for Mariners Course, $50 per student at the Edgewater Elementary School, 7-9:30 p.m.

Pre-registration is required for all courses. Please call or email: Michael Prokopchak, 410-798-5952, mikeprokop@aol.com.

DNR ONLINE BOATING COURSE: The Department of Natural Resources's new on-line Boating Safety Course is up and running. Boaters can study at home and for a nominal fee take the certification examination online. The Maryland law states that anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, must have a certificate of boating safety education while operating any motorized vessel. This certificate must be with the operator of the boat at all times. For more information, visit www.dnr.state.md.us.

LEARN TO ROW: The Annapolis Rowing Club is accepting registration for its Learn to Row Classes. The club offers classes in sweep rowing in eight-person shells with coxswains. The classes will be held at the club's facilities at the St. John's Collge boat house on College Creek. Sessions dates are May 10-11 and 17-18; June 21-22 and 28-29; and July 12-13 and 19-20. The cost is $160. Classes are geared toward those with no rowing experience and are open to those 18 and oldder of all fitness levels. For information, vist www.annapolisrowingclub.com

CAPCA MEETING: The Chesapeake Area Professional Captain's Association meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the Hampton Inn in Annapolis. The meeting is open to anyone interested in professional boating operations and activities. Anyone holding a US Coast Guard Deck Officer's License is welcome and encouraged to join CAPCA. Information about the organization can be found by logging onto CAPCA's website: www.capca.net.

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Items for Chesapeake Bay Boating Calendar should be faxed to 410-268-4643, mailed to P.O. Box 911, Annapolis, MD, 21404 or e-mailed to sports@capitalgazette.com.