Boating Safety Education
The Alaska Boating Safety Program offers several class options for those interested in learning more about boating safety in Alaska. Read about these options below, or learn more by clicking on the class title. If you’re not sure which class is right for you, or you have other questions about Alaska’s boating safety education, contact us at officeofboatingsafety@alaska.gov
Alaska Water Wise
Alaska Water Wise is a free boating course designed for Alaskans. This eight-hour course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. This course is suitable for all types of boaters from various experience levels. Find more information on the Alaska Water Wise course, including what topics are covered and how to schedule a course, here: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/boating/waterws1.htm
Kids Don't Float
The curriculum for the Kids Don’t Float Education Program is comprised of multiple lessons, including:
- Cold Water Survival
This class teaches students the effects of cold water immersion, the importance of wearing a life jacket, and how to select and fit a life jacket - Passenger Safety
This class empowers students to take their safety into their own hands and teaches them important questions to ask before going out on the water - The Kids Don’t Float pool session
This hands-on field trip option allows students to learn and practice boating safety skills at the pool
Learn more about all the KDF Education classes here:
https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/boating/kdf/kdfhome.htm If you have questions, contact Kosette Seibert at kosette.seibert@alaska.gov.
Additionally, the Kids Don’t Float Ambassador Program trains high school students to teach the Kids Don’t Float curriculum to elementary school students, both at the pool and in the classroom. Learn more about the KDF Ambassador Program here: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/boating/kdf/kdfambassador.htm
Cold Water Paddling
Our Cold Water Paddling class is a free course that gives participants the opportunity to learn and practice assisted rescues, self rescues, and basic boat control with canoes, kayaks, and standup paddleboards, all while in the safe, controlled environment of the pool. Learn more about this free paddling class here: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/boating/coldwaterpad.htm
Boating Alaska
Boating Alaska is a course designed for adults (and teens) that targets the key issues relating to boating in Alaska. Topics include pre-departure preparation, boat operation, laws and regulations, boating emergencies, and cold water immersion. Learn more here: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/boating/boatak.htm
