2010 Pleon Yacht Club Sailing Program
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Pleon Yacht Club 2019 Parent Handbook TABLE OF CONTENTS Commodore Welcome Letter..................................................3 Program Goals, Communication.............................................4 Equipment, Safety, Swim Test...............................................5 Important Dates..................................................................6 Private Lesson Policy, FAQs...................................................7 Schedule of Events..............................................................9 Flag Officers and Committees...............................................10 Instructor Bios……….............................................................11 Junior Instructor Bios..........................................................16 Program Committee Contacts...............................................20 2 Dear Pleon Sailors and Families, Welcome to the 2019 summer program! All of us at Pleon are excited for another summer of fun and sailing. As the program ramps up, we look forward to getting to know your kids and watching them experience the independence that Pleon offers. Our Instructors and Junior Instructors are dedicated to fostering an environment that encourages stepping out of your comfort zone, making new friends and getting comfortable on the water. My job is to ensure that all of this runs smoothly and that everyone’s having fun. As we ask Parents to stay out of sight while your kid is in the program, you will be able to keep up with all the Pleon events by checking our website and weekly email blasts. The Pleon calendar (www.pleon.org/page/calendar) on our website includes all upcoming regattas and PYC events like movie nights, Terrific Tuesdays, freesail, and more. Our facebook page will have lots of behind the scenes photos and videos; if you have some that you’d like everyone else to see, feel free to send them in! Pleon is a unique place that offers sailors opportunities to explore leadership and independence while receiving high quality racing instruction in a fun environment. Since its founding in 1887 young sailors have grown from their summers at Pleon. Kelly and I look forward to continuing to offer the same incredible experience for your sailor this summer. If you have any questions or ever want to reach out, you can call the office phone at 781-631-1076, reach out to myself at [email protected], or Kelly at [email protected]. Sail fast and have fun! Commodore Hunter Zonnenberg Program Director Kelly Liebowitz 3 2019 PLEON SAILING PROGRAM PROGRAM GOALS The Pleon Sailing Program is dedicated to promoting personal growth and learning through the sport of sailing. The program strives to instill a love of both cruising and racing, which sailors will maintain throughout their lives. Combining professionalism and innovation, Pleon offers the finest instruction in junior sailing and serves as a model for programs across the country. Pleon is proud to have taught some of this country’s best sailors for over 120 years. GENERAL INFORMATION The Pleon sailing program is under the guidance of the Program Director, Kelly Leibowitz and Commodore, Hunter Zonnenberg. Kelly, Hunter and the flag officers and staff will supervise the waterfront throughout the season, Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 5:00, and Sundays from 9:00 to 12:00 for free sail, as listed on the calendar. Pleon is a unique club that emphasizes junior sailing. Since the club’s beginning in 1887, Pleon’s flag officers and members have been sailors under the age of 21. An adult Board of Directors oversees Pleon activities and helps provide continuity and organization during the winter months. Pleon provides members with a variety of summertime activities including cookouts, movie nights, dances, Great Day, the Commodore’s Ball and a year-end banquet. Elections for flag officers are held in August for the following summer. Pleon also hosts regattas such as regional, national and international class championships, including our annual Marblehead Junior Race Week. COMMUNICATION The Pleon Yacht Club telephone number is 781-631-1076. The Pleon Yacht Club home page is www.pleon.org. Instructors will be located at the Pleon gate between the hours of 11:45–12:00 and 4:30–4:45 to answer your questions. If you are not available at these times you can call the Program Director to schedule a telephone call or meeting with your child’s instructor. 4 Good communication among our staff, sailors and parents is important to us. Please call Christina Pandapas at 781-631-6930 if you have any questions, ideas or concerns on how to improve communication. Racing and social activities information will be updated on our web site, www.pleon.org. Weekly newsletters will be sent out via email. If you are not receiving Pleon emails, please visit the web site and sign up for the email list. EQUIPMENT Classes are taught in private and club-owned boats in the following classes: International Optimist Dinghies Club 420s, with spinnakers and trapezes Lasers, Full, Radial & 4.7 rigs Sonars Pleon encourages members to own and use their own boats. SAFETY Safety at Pleon is our first priority! Everyone is required to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times when on the dock and water. This rule applies to free sailing at Pleon and to anyone participating in an on-the-water Pleon sponsored activity. SWIM TEST On the first day of class, all sailors are required to take a swim test in the harbor. All participants in the program must be able to swim in a swimsuit for 50 yards and tread water for one minute. Each sailor must also be able to put on his or her life jacket while in the water. (Remember to bring a towel and a change of clothes to the first day of class.) 5 BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS Everyone at Pleon is expected to abide by simple, common-sense courtesy and respect for him or herself, the staff and his or her fellow members. In order to ensure that everyone can have a fun time in a safe and positive environment, there are several rules which must be followed. Pleon members are expected to treat both people and equipment with respect and must not in any way hinder the learning of others or act in a malicious or unsportsmanlike manner. No one may ever jump off the pier. To ensure everyone’s physical safety, non-Pleon powerboats may not be around the floats or in the vicinity of classes. Should any member of the Pleon community prove unable to abide by these policies, the Program Director reserves the right to excuse that member from Pleon for an appropriate period of time. In addition, families will be held financially responsible for any damaged or lost equipment resulting from a member’s negligence. Finally, The Pleon Yacht Club is a drug and alcohol free environment. Any breach of this rule is grounds for immediate dismissal from the program. IMPORTANT DATES . Classes will start Wednesday, June 19 and run through Friday, August 16. Marblehead Junior Race Week will be held Monday, July 22 through Wednesday, July 24. Senior Race Week (a.k.a. “Marblehead NOOD”) will be held Thursday, July 25 through Sunday, July 28. (Note: Regularly scheduled classes will not be held at any time during this week.) . Great Day will be held Thursday, August 8. Commodore’s Ball will be held on Wedsneday, August 7. Annual Banquet will be held on Wednesday, August 14. 6 PRIVATE LESSON POLICY Private lessons are available when the coaches have time outside of normal classes. Lessons can be scheduled through the Program Director and set for a time that works for the coach. Those requesting lessons must be Pleon Yacht Club members, and priority will be given to those enrolled in the Pleon Sailing Program. Payment for the lessons must be made directly to the club in the form of cash or check to “Pleon Yacht Club”. Private lesson rates are tiered: $50/hour for learn to sail coaches and $60/hour for race coaches. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: What should I bring to class? A: Sailors should come to class prepared! Life jacket, proper footwear, hat, sun block, sunglasses, a water bottle, a towel, a change of clothes, and a whistle are important equipment for sailors to bring. Q: Are there classes on rainy days? A: Pleon classes are held rain or shine. On rainy days, if the wind is not too strong, sailing classes will be held. It is essential that students bring rain gear and be prepared to sail. Land classes will be held if conditions are extremely poor. Q: What if we’re going on vacation and need to miss a class? A: If you know that your child will be missing class, please let the Program Director know. If your child misses a significant number of classes, you may want to consider private lessons. Q: How is a sailor’s progress in class monitored? A: Check-in with your child’s instructor just prior to the end of class. (11:45–12:00 or 4:30–4:45). If that is not convenient, email or call Kelly and she will answer your questions and/or set-up a time to meet. Q: Can I watch my child sail? How do I get involved? A: One of the things that makes Pleon unique is that it is run by and for juniors. In order to respect the club’s philosophy, as well as to foster the independence of our students, we ask that you avoid 7 being a visible presence during class time. The best opportunity for parents to watch or sail with their child is during “free sail” or during one of the regularly scheduled “sail with your parents” evenings. Parental involvement is important, however, and if you are looking for ways to get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Program Director. Questions concerning club functions outside of classes should be directed to the Commodore.