The ETBC Story

The East Tennessee Boating Club was established in 2022 as an offshoot of the Tri-Cities Boating Club and the Johnson City Power Squadron. 

Originally formed in 1958, the Johnson City Power Squadron was part of the United States Power Squadron. Formed after WWII, the USPS was focused on bringing together boaters throughout the country to learn about safe boating on inland lakes as well as off shore and to share in the comradery of the boating experience. At its height, the USPS had over 60,000 members and became a great resource for boating education. But times change and the USPS has been slow to adapt.  

Our local JCPS grew to over 100 members and their families encouraging boaters throughout the area to learn and enjoy more about cruising our local waters as well as navigating ocean waters. Recently however, members began to feel the local organization received very little benefit for the dues we sent to the national USPS. So in 2022, we dissolved the JCPS and formed the independent East Tennessee Boating Club.

As a boating organization, our goals are simple. We want to:
- Get together with other boaters of all ages to learn how to handle all kinds of boats in a safe manner that ensures a pleasurable experience. (See more here.)
- Share our resources, experiences and boating knowledge with folks who own a boat and folks who may not be so fortunate.
- Partake in all kinds of boating get-togethers on all our local lakes. We work at making some of those get-togethers events that will support our community. 

And we want to have fun doing it all!

Examples of what the ETBC does:

- Host social events for all members, on and off the water.
- Hold boating events runs to raise funds for local charities.
- Sponsor a fun day on the water with the kids from the Holston Home for Children. 
- Help boaters understand safe boating practices.
- Provide Life Jacket Loaners Stands at local Marinas. (See more  here.)
- Hold raft-ups throughout the summer for all members on all our local lakes

- And more!

Please Join Us

If you own a boat or are considering purchasing one, and if what we do sounds of interest, please Contact Us. You are welcome to visit one of our events to meet fellow members and see what we are about. Check out our Calendar to see when our next event is.  Check out Events to see pictures of past get-togethers. 

We hope you will join us!