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star t now The New Sailor Guide from
C o n t e n t s Why Don’t You Sail Now?................................. 4 10 Reasons To Sail............................................ 6 Talk Like a Sailor............................................... 8 Low-Cost Ways To Start................................. 11 What Sailors Wear.......................................... 13 Smart Questions To Ask Sailing Schools........ 18 Sailboat Type 101........................................... 21 Insider Tips..................................................... 22 Lifejackets 101................................................ 24 Windsurfing for Beginners.............................. 26 Go Sailing, Win Prizes.................................... 27 How To Get Kids into Sailing.......................... 28 10 Reasons To Sail with Family ...................... 30 PUBLISHER Mary Iliff Ewenson
EDITOR Molly Winans
advertising Sales Chris Charbonneau, Katie May Dixon, Holly Foster, Brooke King Eric Richardson
ART DIRECTOR Zach Ditmars Graphic Designer Heather Capezio
Businesses or organizations wishing to distribute or participate in Start Sailing Now should contact us at: 612 Third Street, Suite 3C, Annapolis, Maryland 21403 (410) 216-9309 | info@startsailingnow.com Cover photo by Mark Hergan/ Deadrise Marine Photography
s t a r t s a i l i ng now.co m © 2020 SpinSheet Publishing Company
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##An instructor lets his students take charge of the boat on a calm summer day at Annapolis Sailing School. Photo courtesy of Annapolis Sailing School
Sail Now?
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ince 1995, at SpinSheet Magazine, we’ve asked new sailors “What took you so long to get started?” Here are the top reasons many would-be sailors put off such a satisfying activity year after year and some ways to overcome them: • My work keeps me too busy to try new sports. The struggle is real! Professionals work long hours, weekends, and holidays. Here is our advice: if you carve out perhaps one weekend for a boat demo at a sailing club and one weekend to take sailing lessons, you will be astounded by how energized you feel. You will be ready to carve out more time for such a healthy sport. • Sailing seems rather exclusive. Exclusive, private yacht clubs do exist, but so do public community sailing centers and neighborhood sailing clubs that welcome new members. If you try sailing, you will find some of the most welcoming people you have ever met. 4
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• It seems hard to start as an adult. The skills required to sail a boat are not age-specific or hard to acquire. Many people learn to sail in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Call a sailing school and ask the average age of its clients. You may be pleasantly surprised. The people we’ve met who have started as adults all claim they wish they’d started sooner. • Sailing seems expensive. Sailing can be expensive, but it does not have to be. Community sailing programs offer reasonably priced learn-tosail programs, public sails for newcomers who’d like to try it, and membership options. Many sailing programs offer reasonably priced boat rentals, boat share opportunities, or free crew options. • I don’t have a boat. There is an expression in the world of sailing: OPB or Other People’s Boats! Boat owners seek crew to help them sail; many are willing to teach new crew. If you find a sailing school, a community program, or a club, you will find boat owners seeking crew members for their boats. New sailors who are interested in racing boats and are willing to show up and learn will always have opportunities to sail without ever owning a boat.
Start Sailing Now was created in 2008 to demystify sailing and show you just how easy it is to get started. We address the most confusing topics for new sailors: nautical language, what to look for in a sailing school, what to wear, how to try the sport for free, insider tips from longtime sailors, information on kids’ programs, and a bit about sailing with family. Read on. Sail on. Welcome to sailing!
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##Photo by Will Keyworth
10 Reasons To Sail 1 It’s a great way to get outdoors. Suffering from
a lack of vitamin D from sitting at your desk? Getting out in nature lowers your blood pressure and improves your mood.
2 It’s a great way to unplug. Phones, iPads, computers, and water don’t mix well.
3 It’s active. Sailing helps to improve your balance, and you also work your arm muscles while hoisting and trimming sails: all good, doctor-approved exercise.
4 It’s best shared with friends. There are some
adventurers who prefer to explore the watery world solo, but the rest of us go sailing with friends and family. Sailors often say that the sport fosters lifetime friendships and lasting fond memories.
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It’s intergenerational. In some families, the
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It’s green. Sailboats are powered by the wind, which is still free. Even sailboats with engines require very little fuel.
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It’s exciting. The wind in your face, the sound of waves
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It’s relaxing. Some days on the water can be very quiet.
grandparents teach the younger generation to sail. In others, the young people take their parents or grandparents out sailing. It’s a very family-friendly sport (see page 30).
splashing under you, sunlight glittering on the water… sailing can be exhilarating!
Just a little breeze and the calming sound of the water… ah.
9 It’s challenging. Although you can learn the basics of sailing in a short time, there is always more to learn. It’s a great sport for keeping your mind active.
10 It’s fun. Who doesn’t want more fun in their lives?
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BaySail has a large variety of sailboats available, from 22 foot daysailers through luxury cruising catamarans and monohulls
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22 Terms All Sailors Know
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nless you speak Old English, sailing terms probably sound confusing to you. You are not alone. Even longtime sailors use the not-so-official terms of “thingamabob” and “doo-hickey.” In sailing, there is always something to learn. Don’t worry if it takes you time to digest the complex language of sailing; it is an ongoing process and a fun one. Learning these 22 terms will help you understand what’s going on aboard any sailboat in the English-speaking world.
Below when you go into the cabin, it’s never “downstairs.” It’s always down below.
Boom the pole hanging horizontally above the cockpit that could boom into your head if you’re not careful.
Bow the front end of the boat, or as sailors refer to it with a grin, “the pointy end.”
Cleat classic ones are shaped like anvils, but there are more modern versions with pinching teeth for securing lines on deck and on the dock.
Cockpit the area with seats near the steering station or helm.
Come to turn the bow of the boat through about the wind. The skipper will say, “Ready about!” The crew responds, “Ready,” and they keep their heads down to avoid the boom. The skipper says, “Helms-alee” or “Hard-alee” and turns.
Deck anywhere you can walk around on the exterior of the boat. 8
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Gybing sometimes spelled jibing (never jiving). This is when the boat turns with the wind at your back. The skipper says, “Prepare to gybe!” The crew says, “Ready” and stays low to avoid the fast-moving boom. The skipper says, “Gybe ho” and turns.
Heel the boat heels or leans at an angle while sailing. It does not keel over as one might after too much rum.
Helm where the skipper steers with a wheel or a stick-like tiller.
Jib the smaller triangular sail attached at the bow.
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Keel the heavy fixed fin on the bottom of the boat. (see heel)
Line a rope on a boat is always called a line. (see sheets)
Mainsail the big sail attached to the mast. Mast the vertical pole on deck or “the stick.” PFD a personal flotation device or lifejacket. If someone asks you to wear one, don’t be offended. Lifejackets are not as silly looking as they used to be.
Port the left side of the boat facing forward. Port and left are both four-letter words.
Sheets lines attached to the sails to control them. Crew members help with sheets.
Spinnaker a parachute-like, triangular sail attached at the bow and used to propel a sailboat with the wind behind it. Sometimes called the kite or chute.
Starboard the right side of the boat facing forward. Stern the back end of the boat, opposite the pointy end.
Winch cylindrical metal hardware—beer- or paint-can sized—on either side of the cockpit where sheets are wrapped clockwise to crank sails in and out.
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ailing can be expensive, yet there are ways to try it without investing any money. If you get hooked, you will eventually invest in gear, lessons, a club membership, or your own boat—but let’s stay focused on trying sailing right now. Here are some ideas.
Find skippers who need crew: There are
skippers who like to sail solo, but the majority of them sail with crew and often need more crew for casual day sailing and racing. The task is finding such sailors, introducing yourself, and letting them know that you are open to crewing and new to the sport. If you are lucky enough to live in a sailing hub, such as Annapolis or Solomons, MD, or Hampton, VA, where there are spring parties set up to introduce sailors, you are in luck. You may also find free online crew finder services, such as SpinSheet offers. Find details at startsailingnow.com.
Find reasonably priced sailing centers:
Another good way to meet sailors is through community sailing centers, which you’ll find in sailing towns such as Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC; Norfolk, VA; Stonington, CT; Boston, MA; Burlington, VT; Newport, RI; Ft. Myers, FL; Milwaukee; Seattle, WA; and San Francisco. Community sailing centers specialize in inviting the public into sailing at reasonable costs. Find links at startsailingnow.com. ##Photo by Ben Cushwa
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##Courtesy Annapolis Naval Sailing Association
Find local sailing magazines: Free sailing
magazines are exceptional, targeted resources for discovering welcoming local sailing clubs and generating ideas about meeting sailors. A sampling of the magazines: SpinSheet on the Chesapeake Bay; Points East in New England; Windcheck on Long Island Sound; Southwinds in Florida; 48 Degrees North on Puget Sound; and Latitude 38 in San Francisco. SpinSheet and a few of the others offer free digital crew finder services.
Find demo days: In any sailing hub, you will find
sailing centers, schools, and boat sales dealerships that offer free open houses and demo days. At these events, new sailors like you are welcome to try sailing and ask sailors questions. Find such opportunities in local sailing magazines’ calendars in the spring, and sometimes at boat show time; again, find boat show dates in your regional sailing magazine.
Sail for Free on other people’s boats. We are the # 1 crew Network in North America since 1993. After you have learned the basics, sail for free helping boat owners and delivery skippers move their boats. Gain sea time and sea miles by sailing with experienced owners and skippers. Learn what works and what doesn’t work before buying your own boat. Learn how to be a good crew.
1-800-4-PASSAGe (800-472-7724)
offshorepassage@sprintmail.com • sailopo.com 12 s t a r t s a i l i n g n o w . c o m
What Sailors Wear
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ou would be hard-pressed to find a sailor without other outdoor passions such as skiing, cycling, running, kayaking, waterskiing, rafting, camping, or hiking. The outdoorsy types who are attracted to the sport don’t mind the sun, rain, and wind. Dressing for success in sailing has nothing to do with fashionable navy-blue striped sweaters, especially if they’re all cotton. The key to dressing well in sailing, as in other outdoor sports, is learning how to remain comfortable, dry, and mobile in the face of the elements. ##Photo by Al Schreitmueller
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##A brimmed hat protects your face and eyes from the sun and cuts down glare.
Before you go out and make any investment in new gear, check your closet and assess what you already have to cover you from head to toe. If you already ride your bike on mountain trails, run around the neighborhood, hike in the woods, or hit the slopes from time to time, you may already have the gear necessary to get started. We’re not suggesting you don’t invest in sailingspecific gear; we’re saying that the lack of it should not be a barrier to entry. You might have enough makeshift gear to start right now. Then once you’re hooked on sailing (as we know you will be) you will learn quickly what you need to complete your sailing gear kit.
Like runners, many sailors like to have a visor to protect their eyes and face from sun and rain. A safe bet is an old-fashioned baseball cap. A hat strap with a collar clip is helpful, as more “man overboard” drills are done for runaway hats than for men. Nothing says “newbie” quite like a bad sunburn. Sunblock is a must, even when it’s cloudy. Skiers, snowboarders, waterskiers, and paddlers know that snow and water reflection make the sun twice as powerful. Effective, non-greasy, high-protection sunblock is available at drug stores. Many sailors wear SPF clothing, which is available at outdoor stores and marine gear stores (also known as chandleries). 14 s t a r t s a i l i n g n o w . c o m
As in any outdoor sport performed in temperatures between 50 and 100 degrees, high-tech layers are the answer. A T-shirt, longsleeved shirt, fleece vest, fleece pull-over, and nylon shorts/pants such as used for hiking and camping would ##As in any outdoor sport, almost complete your sailing layers are important. gear needs. Display courtesy of Fawcett Boat Supplies The outer layer or foul weather gear for sailing isn’t unlike hiking outerwear, except that the retro cheapie poncho, which might be useful on a rainy hike, would be a nuisance in the wind. Make sure you find waterproof outer tops and bottoms that will not flap in the wind, and always assume it will rain. Rain usually brings wind, and wind is a good thing—a wet rear end is not. A cold and soggy behind could ruin an otherwise terrific sailing day. You may already have a functional Gore-Tex shell, but do find yourself some waterproof bottoms as well. You can buy reasonable, effective foul weather gear for $250 (or more) new. If you find a crew to sail with, it’s a guarantee they’ll each have some surplus gear to lend or donate. When it comes to lifejackets, your crew will have one onboard for you, but you might want to invest in a more stylish one; lightweight and attractive lifejackets really do exist! The vest styles can be great for keeping you warm and safe.
For Sailors, By Sailors. United States Sai
lboat Show Exclus
P E A K E C H E S A
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ive
N G S A I L I
F R E E
Sailors From Monohull to “Cat” People Local’s Guide to Annapolis
Since 1995, SpinSheet has been the dedicated sailing magazine for and about Chesapeake Bay sailors.
e t. c O m
s p i n s h e e t. c o m OctOber
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Sailing gloves are reasonably priced ($20) and an excellent investment for new sailors. Cycling and gardening gloves work, too.
##Sailing gloves are reasonably priced and a nice first addition to your sailing gear kit.
Slipping on a wet deck, stubbing your toe on metal hardware, and scuffing up the deck of someone else’s boat are the considerations when you choose sailing footwear. Flip-flops and dark-soled running or hiking shoes make lousy sailing shoes.
e s r u o C a r o f Come im t e if L a r o f il Sa Boating Club
Boating Safety Courses
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##Sailing shoes should protect your toes and should not scuff the boat. Display courtesy of Fawcett Boat Supplies
Chuck Taylor high tops, white-soled tennis shoes, Keens, Tevas, and old-fashioned Top-Siders or Sperrys make good non-scuffing sailing shoes. High-tech wicking socks are the best. #
>>> Learn
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An annual membership to Chesapeake Boating Club allows you unlimited sailing to really hone your skills. With our knowledgeable staff on hand to assist, you can use the perfect boat to suit your mood daysailing, cruising, or powerboating. 410.280.8692 • ChesapeakeBoatingClub.com
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To As k Sai li ng Sch ools
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By Lisa Batchelor Frailey, Sail Solomons, edited by Molly Winans
ithout guidance about how to find a sailing school, many prospective students may start with the least effective method: a Google search. They may make decisions based on cost, location, timing, and length of the courses. Let us share other important factors to consider and more targeted methods for sifting through the multiple options of sailing schools.
Credentials, please
American Sailing Association (ASA) or U.S. Sailing schools offer internationally recognized certification programs, allowing you flexibility in sail training and chartering locations. Each organization promotes “Outstanding Schools and Instructors” right on their websites. Ask yourself how “far” you’d like to go in your sailing. Would you eventually like to buy or charter a boat on your own? If so, choose a school that offers the full gamut of sailing certifications. Don’t select the sailing equivalent of a junior college if you’re after a master’s degree.
Do the boats fit the course?
Does the school have boats appropriate for the level of certification you’re trying to achieve? Many schools start initial training on small, tiller-steered keelboats, allowing you to get a feel for basic sailing skills and build confidence. For more advanced courses, progressively larger and more complex boats should be used. Will the school offer rentals or charters for practicing your newly learned skills on your own? Many schools do; some even have sailing clubs for cost-effective practice while meeting new sailing friends.
##Students rig the boats at the docks. Photo courtesy of Annapolis Sailing School
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Customized for you
Many schools offer customized sailing courses, including courses for women, couples, or families. Tailored courses may also focus on specific skills such as docking, racing, or even just being a good crewmember. Through most good schools, you may hire an instructor for private instruction on your own boat.
What’s on shore?
Dockside resources; availability of meals and lodging; size, type, and condition of boats; and safety and maintenance of boats. These items may be addressed by a personal visit to the school for a tour of the facility and boats and perhaps a demonstration sail. ##Hands-on instruction about dock lines. Photo courtesy of J/World Annapolis
The people
Top schools post instructor biographies on their websites and gladly introduce you to the teaching staff when you tour the facility in person. Are the instructors ASA and/or U.S. Sailing certified instructors? Do they have U.S. Coast Guard Masters licenses? Are they friendly, skilled listeners as well as “experts?” Would you enjoy spending a weekend with these instructors?
Discover the CAPTAIN in You NOW THREE LOCATIONS:
Virgin Islands Sailing Academy USVI, BVI, SVI Delmarva Sailing School Chesapeake Bay Nockamixon Sailing School Philadelphia
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##Photo courtesy of Rock Hall Yacht Club Sailing School
Better business
Sailing schools are businesses, and if you hope to develop a relationship with one, be sure you’re comfortable with their style. Were your inquiries responded to promptly and courteously? Did the school provide the information you needed to make a fitting course selection? What sort of flexibility will you have for re-scheduling in the event of emergencies or foul weather?
Do your homework
Ask for former student references. Sailing is an exciting and inspiring sport, and newcomers tend to have strong feelings about how they learned. If a school hesitates to provide happy customers’ contact information, there may be a reason for it. If a school does not have references for you, we recommend not writing the check. #
Visit startsailingnow.com for links to school programs.
2020 Junior & adult Boating Programs
Basic to advanced - dinghy, KeelBoat, PowerBoat instruction
annapolis, Md | 410-267-9549 | EastportYC.org 20 s t a r t s a i l i n g n o w . c o m
Dinghy
A dinghy is a small, lightweight sailboat with a retractable centerboard. Such boats tend to be easy to strap on the roof of the car, trailer, or haul up on the beach. Some popular models are: Opti, Topaz, Laser, and 420.
Daysailer
When sailors use the word “daysail,” they mean they are not competing. Someone who sails like this is considered a “daysailor.” Their boats are called “daysailers.” Not all daysailers are dinghies (some have fixed keels), but most dinghies are great for daysailing. “Daysailer” usually refers to a boat of 14 to 20 feet in length.
Keelboat
Keelboats have a fixed keel (a lead-weighted fin attached to the bottom). The boats start at about 20 feet long and weigh enough that you need a crane or lift to get them into the water. They are sturdy and well suited to sailing through chop or heavy weather. They do not capsize except in extreme weather. A sampling of models: Harbor 20, J/22, J/70, J/80, Beneteau First 22, Sonar, and Colgate 26.
Racer/Cruiser
Racer/cruisers can be used for racing, cruising, or daysailing. They can range from 22 feet or longer. These boats have overnight accommodations (and a bathroom, which on boats we call the “head”) and kitchens (called “galleys”). Examples include: Catalina 275, Hunter 31, J/105, Tartan, J/109, Beneteau First series, and Jeanneau SunFast.
Bluewater Cruiser
These sturdy boats are built for the rigors of sailing in the ocean for long periods. They tend to have heavy, deep keels and small doors to the cabin (called “companionways”) to keep water out. They are shaped to cut through waves and weather big storms. Examples include: Nor’Sea 27, Tayana 37, Island Packet, and Pacific Seacraft. 2020 New Sailor Guide
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for Sailors
t’s hard to know the unspoken rules of any culture. To avoid any clashes, here are a few secrets to help you understand what your new skipper is thinking in various hypothetical sailing situations and how you should react:
A skipper asks you to bring lunch. Do not be offended if this happens. Fuel is expensive, as is boat maintenance. Just as you would offer a dinner party host some cheese or wine, crew members often bring their own lunch or share costs for snacks or beverages. Remember, recyclable cans and bottles are better than glass on boats.
A skipper asks you to wear a lifejacket. This doesn’t mean he or she questions your swimming abilities; it means he is considering your safety. Trust your skipper’s hunches. Put it on.
A skipper asks you to wear different shoes. Again, no offense. Dark-soled shoes have always been a no-no on boats. Certain shoes such as Keens have dark, but non-scuffing soles (see page 17). To see if your shoes scuff, you may want to test them first on your linoleum floor at home. A skipper asks you to be quiet. Have you ever tried to perform a tricky parallel parking or lane-changing maneuver with someone yapping in your ear? It’s equally distracting on a boat. When a skipper asks for quiet, respect the request. Leaving and returning to a dock and certain on-the-water maneuvers require concentration. Quiet crewmembers, who are ready to listen and jump into action, keep the tension level down on a boat. Crew members with open ears, open eyes, and open minds who keep their mouths shut get many more sailing offers than chatty ones.
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##Photo by Ben Cushwa
A skipper asks you to go down below for awhile. Especially during a gybe (see page 9) or during rough weather, it is smart to have newcomers go down below rather than be on deck unsure of what to do. It is for your safety and that of the other crewmembers. Even if the skipper doesn’t have time to explain why, just listen, and trust his or her hunches. A skipper yells repeatedly at his or her crew. Despite the tyrant-captain stereotype, this is not cool or acceptable behavior. Yelling is offensive and often the sign of a skipper who lacks confidence, skill, and manners. Reconsider his or her next sailing offer for your own safety and sanity. There are polite, level-headed sailors out there. You don’t need to waste time on rude ones.
A skipper is offensive. Unfortunately, such people show up on land and in boats. We’ve told you to trust your skipper’s hunches. Make sure to trust your own, too. Say goodbye... and keep up the search for considerate sailors. A skipper emails potential sailing dates, but you don’t know your schedule yet. Please respond to his or her email anyway. Being a prompt, honest communicator will bring you future sailing invitations!
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1
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1
hen we host Start Sailing Now seminars, people often ask us if they must wear lifejackets or Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) on sailboats. Many remember the orange ones they were forced to wear as kids, and even though they want to feel safe while sailing, they hope to not have to wear those things again. Here’s good news: lifejacket technology and appearance have greatly improved. Lifejackets may be mandatory at certain sailing schools, but if you are over a certain age (it varies by state from about 13 to 16 years old), you are not required to wear one on private vessels unless you want to. Most sailing professionals recommend wearing some form of PFD if: 1) you are not a confident swimmer; 2) the weather is rough and/or the water temperature is cold; and 3) you are sailing solo or alone on deck, especially at night. Since lifejackets are comfortable and attractive, we recommend you wear one if you have a hunch it would be a good idea and make for a safer, more enjoyable sail. There are many types of PFDs on the market; they range from offshore lifejackets for extended survival in rough, open water to simple flotation aid vests that work well for flat water kayaking as well as calm coastal or lake daysailing. As with other sporting gear, the more high tech bells and whistles, the pricier. Most learn-to-sail programs offer vest-style lifejackets for students to borrow. Such PFDs allow good arm mobility, which is important for busy crew, and add a nice layer of warmth in spring and fall. Such vests come in various sizes, have adjustable straps, and are constructed from quick-dry ##Vest-style lifejackets are popular with sailors on boats of all sizes in all seasons. Photo by Will Keyworth
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##Inflatable personal floatation devices (PFD) inflate upon immersion in water. They are popular with big boat sailors. Photo by Joseph Porcelli
##You will find loops for hooking on safety harnesses for coastal and offshore cruising.
material. Some have pockets and built-in emergency whistles. Some contain interior “scallops” for women’s figures. Vest-style lifejackets vary in price from $45 to $250. Inflatable PFDs are popular for big boat sailors and those who do long ocean passages. Such PFDs rely on chambers that inflate upon total immersion in water. They tend to be less bulky than vest-style lifejackets. Try one on to see if you like the fit. They range in price from $100 to $375. Of course, you can always find a funny orange PFD if you need one. You can still buy one for about $10. #
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##Photo by Will Keyworth
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for Beginners
indsurfing began with a floating board, a little sail on top, and an idea of fun on the water. As the equipment got more sophisticated, the sport gained popularity with a heyday in the 1980s. The equipment evolved with experts in mind, and beginner participation dropped off as a result. Luckily, “what’s old is new again” in the world of windsurfing. The new Windsurfer LT has opened the sport once again to beginners and occasional windsurfers. Mark Saunders, co-owner of East of Maui Boardshop in Annapolis explains the materials: “It’s a durable, small, soft sail on a big floaty board. You learn the fundamentals and can easily progress in the first couple of days. Even in light wind your big board keeps gliding along.” The sails are made from soft Mylar and Dacron. The board shape and construction have been updated to a fiberglass sandwich construction. Saunders’s partner Mark Bandy likes his LT for its ease of use and versatility. It only takes him five minutes to rig the board and go. He says, “The new beginner equipment is so much more user-friendly and allows people to progress more quickly.” photo by bRIan Stamm
It’s back...
Windsurfing! Pure, Simple, Fun
md’S wIndSuRfInG expeRtS SInce 1979 SaleS • RentalS • leSSonS
eastofmauiboardshop.com • 410.573.9463 2444-G SolomonS ISland Rd, annapolIS
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Go Sailing, Win Prizes!
P
lan now to go sailing June 20, 2020, the official Summer Sailstice! Twenty years ago, John Arndt, owner of the San Francisco-based magazine Latitude 38, decided to dedicate one day a year to bring sailors together and celebrate the sport. He chose the longest day of the year. The Sailstice was born. Since its inception, the Summer Sailstice has grown into an international weekend to celebrate sailing. Around the world, individuals on their own boats, sailing schools, charter companies, yacht clubs, sailing and outdoor clubs, and community sailing programs get in on the action. In Annapolis, sailors will celebrate with “Take Someone Sailing Day.” What do you have to do to participate? Go sailing. What does it cost? It’s free. All you have to do is visit summersailstice.com and sign up with your email address. Signing up will qualify you to win great prizes, from lifejackets and waterproof cameras to weeklong sailing vacations in tropical ports… but only if you make time to go sailing June 20. #
##Photo courtesy of Summer Sailstice
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By Molly Winans
##Photo courtesy of Eastport Yacht Club
S
ome children grow up in sailing families and inherit the sailing gene as they might inherit brown eyes. They learn to sail without questioning it. Since their parents are sailors, they find youth sailing schools or camps through friends or club connections. What about those of us who didn’t grow up around boats? If you are not an active sailor and have no connections, how do you find good and safe learn-to-sail options for your kids? Don’t worry. There are many options to choose from. Although family friends took me sailing as a child, my parents were not sailors. I learned to sail a boat on my own at a YMCA camp and would recommend an overnight or day camp option to any parent. Such camps are reasonably priced, safety-minded, filled with dedicated mentors, and particularly good for parents who don’t mind their children learning to sail as one of many outdoor activities, rather than have sailing be the sole focus. Community sailing centers across the country offer sailing, boating safety education, and other waterfront activities such as canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. Often partly funded by regional governments
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and community grants, such programs tend to be very affordable and are always open to the public. Some may be linked to the public school system and offer for-credit programs. They often have high standards for safety and instruction. Yacht and sailing clubs are for members only, right? Not always. Around the country, many yacht and sailing clubs open their junior sailing programs to the public. The benefits of such programs may include facilities designed for many boats to easily sail in and out, coach (or safety) boats, well-kept sailboats designed for kids, and skilled, safety-minded instructors (some who have grown up sailing at the club). Outside the world of camps, community sailing centers, and clubs, you will find sailing school businesses dedicated to children. As well as teaching the basics of sailing, they might offer scavenger hunts, on-the-water games, pizza parties, and other appealing activities for young people. Such schools may be affiliated with adult programs and therefore meet the same safety and instructional standards as the parents’ sailing school. Adult sailing schools don’t always offer programs for children under 15 years of age, but they often offer private instruction to families on school boats or on your own boat (if you have one). Because adult schools often field inquiries about where to send children to sailing school, they tend to be great resources for local youth sailing information. #
Visit startsailingnow.com for links to school programs.
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To Sail with Family By Beth Crabtree
1 Sailing is one of the best forms of family bonding. Because multiple generations can sail together and teamwork is a necessity, few sports bring families together the way sailing does.
2 One of the best parts of sailing is that there are so few
electronic distractions. Although our kids bring their phones aboard, they only use them for photos and music.
3 Limited space and 360 degrees of surrounding water
mean that it’s hard for teens to hide. Sailing can bring even the most reclusive teen topside for some quality time with the family.
4 Sailing provides time for daydreaming and reflection.
On a sailboat, the work comes in bursts. You’ll have moments where the whole crew is intensely busy, but you’ll also have long stretches of time when each family member can retreat into his or her own thoughts.
5 Sailing with my spouse is an ideal date. Spending time
on the water away from work, household, and parenting responsibilities is a great way to relax and recharge.
6 Sailing is a great place to watch sibling interaction. Although they may squabble on land, they’ve got to work together to make the boat go.
##Photo by Will Keyworth
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##Photo by Jim Lant
7 Some of my fondest childhood memories are the hours my dad and I spent sailing. I hope my children will feel the same way someday.
8 Sailing is full of teaching moments. Crew work requires interpersonal skills, but sailing also provides a platform for parents to teach proper planning, accountability, engineering, math, chart reading, ecology, and more.
9 Sailing with children gives them an opportunity to see
parents as individuals, not just as Mom and Dad. One of the interesting dynamics on a sailboat is the sense of equality among the sailors aboard. Skills matter more than age.
10 Sailing keeps our hands and our minds busy. It gets us out in nature. We leave our worries and commitments back on land. We come home tired and happy. Sailing is a mini family vacation.
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now Our monthly profiles feature new sailors who share stories about what attracted them to sailing and how they gained knowledge and experience on the water.
S ta rt S a i l i n g n o w. c o m 2020 New Sailor Guide
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