The Progressive Insurance Tampa Boat Show returns Sept. 28-30 with new educational attractions, providing boaters of all skill levels and ages a unique opportunity to discover boating.

From on-the-water boat training to scuba lessons and do-it-yourself maintenance seminars, the bay area’s premier boating event offers attendees a variety of hands-on learning experiences.

Clinics will be offered throughout the three-day show, held at the Tampa Convention Center. In addition to learning new skills, attendees can find exclusive deals on hundreds of boats from the region’s top retailers and shop the marine industry’s newest accessories and electronics.

Interactive activities at the 2012 boat show include:

‘Take the Helm’ with Discover Boating – From novice boaters to seasoned sailors, attendees can take part in several on-the-water powerboat and sailing clinics.

The Recreational Powerboating Association will offer one and three hour powerboating clinics. One-hour seminars include Fundamentals of close quarters powerboat handling, advanced close quarters maneuvering for experienced boaters, open water boat handling and seamanship and anchoring and multi-vessel rafting techniques at a cost of $10 per session.

The three-hour clinics, which provide more hands-on training and practice time, also include sessions for beginners and experts at a cost of $125 per session; includes boat show admission.

Aboard 30-to-40-foot sailboats, the American Sailing Association (ASA) will teach the basics in their Introduction to Sailing course, in addition to a Coastal Cruising clinic for more experienced sailors and a course titled Docking Under Power & Close Quarters Boat Control for sailors of all skill levels. All sailing clinics are $25 each and run 90 minutes. The ASA will also offer in-depth, three-hour introductory and advanced seminars for $125 per session (includes boat show admission).

Try SCUBA diving at the ‘Be a Diver Pool’ – The Dive Equipment & Marketing Association’s (DEMA) 15,000-gallon heated pool is open to any attendees 10 years of age and older who want a free diving lesson. Wetsuits and equipment are provided and experienced divers are also welcome to test out the latest scuba gear. All divers will leave with a piece of treasure: an underwater photograph of their adventure.

Master maintenance at Fred’s Shed DIY Seminars & Interactive Learning Center – ‘The Boating Guy,’ Keith Ammons, and ‘Fred the Outboard Doctor,’ a certified marine service technician, will lead hands-on clinics and Q&A sessions about do-it-yourself boat maintenance. These free sessions include instruction on prepping a boat for performance and fuel economy, changing a water pump, maintaining an engine, detailing and more. Boaters will be able to actively participate and ask questions during these seminars, which are scheduled throughout the weekend.

For tickets and details, visit TampaBoatShow.com.

Key Show Facts

When:                                 

Friday through Sunday, Sept. 28-30, 2012

Friday, Sept. 28:         10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 29:     10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 30:       10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Note: In-water area closes at 7 p.m. daily

Where:                                               

Tampa Convention Center

Tickets:                                               

$12 – Adults (16 years & older)

FREE – Children (15 years & younger)

Friday Show Special: $2 off advance adult ticket purchase for Friday, Sept. 28

Purchase tickets at TampaBoatShow.com, at the show box office, or by calling 954-441-3220.