July 23: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 54 has a free safe boating class from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with a 45-minute lunch break) Saturday at Harvey Oyer Park in Boynton Beach. The course covers boat handling, safety equipment, docking, line handling, knot tying, rules of the road, elementary navigation and new federal and state laws. The cost, including workbook and all related materials, is being paid for by the Perry J. Cohen Foundation, which is named after one of the youngsters who was lost at sea last summer. For information and to register, call 561-331-2429.
July 23: BugFest-by-the-Sea, the annual celebration of lobster miniseason, features seminars at Jarvis Hall in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Divers Alert Network covers the risks and hazards of lobster diving from 6-7 p.m. on. From 7-8, Jim “Chiefy” Mathie, author of “Catching the BUG: The Comprehensive Guide to Catching the Spiny Lobster,” has a lobster how-to seminar. Cost is $25 and free if you bring or buy a copy of Mathie’s book. Visit lbtsevents.com and click on BugFest.
Aug. 6: For the first time in the history of the Pompano Beach Saltwater Circuit, the 18th annual Mercury/SeaVee Pompano Beach Saltwater Showdown is an open event that any boat can fish. In previous years, boats had to qualify to fish the circuit’s third and final event. The Showdown is Aug. 6 with the weigh-in at the Sands Harbor Resort & Marina. The entry fee is $375 per boat ($475 after Friday). Visit saltwatershowdown.com or call 954-725-4010.
