Life Jacket Trade-In Events

2022 EVENT SCHEDULE


Northern California

9/17/2022, 10am - 4pm
Regents of the University of California
Berkeley - Cal Adventures
morganjcollins@berkeley.edu

5/21/2022, 11am - 2pm
Alameda Community Sailing Center, Inc
Encinal Boat Ramp, Alameda, CA
programdirector@sailalameda.org

5/6/2022, 9am - 5pm
Feather River Center
Feather River / Riverbend Park
aqautics.education@gmail.com

5/21/2022, 11am - 2pm
HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation
Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center
hbac@humboldt.edu

7/22/2022, 8am-3pm
Nor Cal SUP Groms
Nimbus Flat Lake Natoma
shelly@norcalsup.com

8/13/2022, 9am - 4pm
Tahoe City Public Utility District
Homewood, CA
dspringsteel@tcpud.org

6/9/2022, Every Thursday Evening
Associated Students Inc. of Sacramento State Univ. dba Sac. State Aquatic Ctr.
Sacramento State Aquatic Center at Lake Natoma
Cindi@csus.edu

6/5/2022, 9am - 1pm
Regents of the University of California (San Francisco)
Mission Creek

4/16/2022, 11am - 4pm
Treasure Island Sailing Center
Treasure Island Sailing Center
joshua.leihe@tisailing.org

5/30/2022, 5pm-7pm
City of Redding
Redding Aquatic Center
jmoore@cityofredding.org

4/23/2022, 10am-2pm
Sailing Education Adventures
Marin Yacht Club
jpiereth@aol.com

Southern California

8/19/2022, All day event
City of Long Beach
Alamitos Bay
Max.Jolly@longbeach.gov

6/11/2022, 11am-3pm
Long Beach Area Council Boy Scouts of America
Long Beach Sea Base
Chris.Macy@LongBeachBSA.org

5/21/2022, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Dana Point Aquatic Foundation
Orange County Sailing & Events Center
diane@westwindsailing.com

5/7/2022, 10am to 2pm
Newport Sea Base, Orange County Council Boy Scouts of America
Newport Sea Base
jack.nguyen@scouting.org

6/18/2022, 10:00 - 4:00
United States Adaptive Recreation Center
Veterans Park, Big Bear Lake
sara@usarc.org

4/24/2022, 10am to 4pm
Associated Students of San Diego State University
Mission Bay Aquatic Center, San Diego
kevin.straw@sdsu.edu

5/21/2022, 8:30am-12pm
The San Diego Canoe Kayak Team
SDCKT Boathouse. East Mission Bay. San Diego.
gbarlow@sdckt.net

5/7/2022, 8am - 3pm
California State University, Channel Islands
US Coast Guard Station 4201 S. Victoria Avenue, Oxnard CA
josh.wade@csuci.edu


Every year, boating safety partners will offer many life jacket trade-in events across the state to promote boating safety. Similar events will be added to the list above as they become available.

Life jacket trade-in events provide boaters an opportunity to bring in their current life jackets for a professional inspection. If a life jacket is found to be unserviceable or the wearer has outgrown it, a new, properly-fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket will be given in exchange, at no cost while supplies last. 

DBW encourages boaters to visit a trade-in location or boating safety event at aquatic centers and boating organizations throughout the state to learn more about life jacket and boater education.   

Life Jacket Tips

Coast Guard-approved: All life jackets approved for use by the Coast Guard will have an approval number located on the inside label. Only approved life jackets should be used on the water, and boaters may be cited for lacking proper equipment.

Proper Fit: Life jacket sizes come with weight or chest measurements, and should fit snug rather than purchased to allow a wearer to “grow into.” A small life jacket may not provide enough flotation to keep a person afloat. One that is too large can slip off upon entry into the water or could ride up around the face and obstruct breathing.

Intended Boating Activity: Always check the life jacket label to ensure it is approved for the intended boating activity,

Good Condition: Check the life jacket before using to ensure it is in good condition. Jackets with rips, tears, mildew, loose or missing straps, frayed webbing, broken zippers or buckles, hardened stuffing or faded label instructions lose their strength and buoyancy and must be replaced. 

Check this page for life jacket trade-in event dates throughout the boating season. For more information on life jacket trade-in events, contact the Boating Education and Outreach Coordinator, Sara Kennedy, at Sara.Kennedy@parks.ca.gov or (916) 906-2020.

To request Life Jackets for upcoming Events please fill out this survey: Life Jacket Requests for Events