Grand Lake’s Own Boating Club!
The Grand Lake Sail and Power Squadron is one of over 400 squadrons nationally that are affiliated with the United States Sail and Power Squadron. The Grand Lake squadron had over 115 members and is considered the premier boating club on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake.
The squadrons of the United States Power Squadrons will celebrate the organization’s 100th Anniversary during 2014.
The USPS is a boating club that concentrates on Boating Safety through education, service to community, and social activities for members. The motto of the organization is “Boating is Fun…We will show you how!”
Education is the primary focus of most squadrons in the USPS and the Grand Lake Squadron is no exception. The Grand Lake Sail and Power Squadron is the only entity that offers boating education with certified instructors and includes an “on the water component” with that training. In addition to the initial boating safety classes, the squadron also offers advanced classes such as Piloting, Advanced Piloting, and even Navigation using celestial techniques. Other courses, such as Marine Electronics, Weather, Engine Maintenance, Sail and much more are offered continuously throughout the year.
The Grand Lake squadron is extremely active in community service through such activities as the annual Grand Lake Shoreline Cleanup, sponsored each year by the GRDA and Grand Lake Sail and Power Squadron. The squadron participates each year in the Grand Lake Boat Show, Earth Day, Pelican Festival, and REC Day. Each year, the squadron participates in the Grove Christmas Parade, sponsors a Flag Day and Independence Day Boat parade. In addition, the squadron’s certified vessel safety examiners provide free vessel safety checks at local marinas.
While education and community service are important to squadron members, the squadron also finds time for fun activities. Dinner meetings are held once per month at various local venues. During the summer boating season, lake activities such as raft ups are held and dinner meetings are replaced by dock parties held at member’s homes. Squadron activities even extend beyond the confines of Grand Lake with such outings as cruises on the Kerr McClellan Navigation System and rendezvous with other squadrons on Lake Texoma.
For more information on the Grand Lake Sail and Power Squadron, check out the website on www.usps.org/grandlake or contact Commander Susie Holden at 918 786-5815.