About Our Squadron

The Catawba Sail & Power Squadron is a unit of the United States Power Squadron (USPS®), which is a non-profit, educational organization created in 1914, dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable by teaching classes in seamanship, navigation and other related subjects.

USPS has some 45,000 members organized into 450 Squadrons and 28 Districts. USPS is the world's largest non-profit private boating organization and is a non-governmental and non-military group of adult men and women who have a common love and appreciation of recreational boating.

Catawba Sail & Power Squadron

The Catawba Sail and Power Squadron belongs to District 27 together with 19 other Squadrons, covering North Carolina and the Lake Wylie area of South Carolina (Area Map). The Squadron took its name from the Catawba Indian Tribe who were the first settlers in the Catawba River Basin which encompasses Lake Wylie. In December 2002, in order to reflect that all boaters are welcome, the name of the Squadron was changed to Catawba Sail & Power Squadron.

The CSPS offers boating  safety courses for the public, as well as a large variety of advanced courses for its members. These courses are taught by volunteers and are free. A small fee for course materials might be charged. Many insurance companies offer discounts for boat insurance to a boat owner who has successfully completed a USPS Boating Course.

Most members of the CSPS enjoy boating on Lake Wylie, a 13,500 acre lake with 325 miles of shore line located North of Rock Hill, SC and stretching into North Carolina.  The lake was named after Dr. W. Gil Wylie, who organized the Catawba Power Company, a predecessor of Duke Power. It was first created in 1904 by a dam near Ft. Mill, SC and it is the oldest lake on the Catawba.

We usually start our boating trips from the marina of Tega Cay, located on the Southern part of Lake Wylie.

Finally, our members perform a wide range of community service projects.

Who can become a member?

Any adult who has participated in and passed a boating course taught by a Power Squadron or a similar organization, or is an experienced boater. (See: Requirements for USPS Memberships for more details).

What happens when I join a squadron?

At a regular monthly membership meeting you will be introduced to the other members, asked to pledge your support to “Safe Boating Through Education”, provided with information about free courses offered to members, social activities planned, a membership roster and a name tag.

Dues and expenses

Total annual dues are approx. $55. For some courses you have to pay a small fee for materials and books. Some outings or barbeques involve a fee, typically $8-10/person. The price for a dinner for the Annual Change of Watch is normally $25/person.

What courses are offered and where are they taught?

The basic courses of Seamanship and Piloting are taught to accommodate our new members.  Other courses such as Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation and Navigation are scheduled when enough members are eligible and want to participate. Marine Electronics, Cruise Planning, Weather, Sail, Instructor Qualification & Engine Maintenance are taught annually or may be self-studied. (See: Member Boating Classes for more details).

Most courses take place in the Ft. Mill Library, but also in Rock Hill, York, Lancaster and other locations within our area.  

Activities and Social Agenda

We have a monthly social meeting in alternating restaurants in our area or combine it with a barbeque in a camp located on Lake Wylie. There are several boating activities during a year, some in NC & SC, some in other states. (See: Activities for more details).

Publications

There are three publications available to memebrs: The Catawba  Squadron monthly newsletter, “SmokeSignals”, a USPS monthly national publication “The Ensign” and a quarterly District 27 newsletter, the “D/27 Bitts”.

How can I help?

The USPS is a volunteer organization. The more people help, the easier it is for everyone. Members are encouraged to study one or more courses a year, but it is not a prerequisite. Family members who are not dues paying members are welcome to all meetings and social gatherings but are not eligible to take courses.

Bylaws and Other Squadron Information

Click here to download the Squadron Bylaws ( 1 meg pdf file).

For a complete description of our Squadron activities, click here.

To learn about our Boaters' Education program, click here.

Click here to find out how to join the Catawba Sail & Power Squadron.

Continue to: Requirements for USPS Membership