2010 Pleon Yacht Club Sailing Program
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Pleon Yacht Club 2015 Parent Handbook 1 Dear Pleon Sailors and Parents, On behalf of the staff, Executive Director Parker Dwyer and I would like to welcome you to Pleon’s 2015 Summer Program! We look forward to meeting all the new sailors as well as reconnecting with Pleon alumni. This upcoming summer we have a calendar filled with fun events and activities for all sailors. We will be using the website (pleon.org) and email blasts as a main way of communicating. You can look to the website to find upcoming events, weekly albums and Wednesday Series results. Please refer to the calendar (http://www.pleon.org/page/calendar) for regatta dates, club events, and Terrific Tuesdays! We hope to keep parents informed as to possible races and events their children can attend this summer. My weekly newsletters will include a preview of that week’s events. However, if you cannot find what you need on the website or emails, please do not hesitate to call us at the clubhouse (781-631-1076) or send an email to myself at [email protected] or to Parker at [email protected]. This summer Pleon has a great group of instructors joining us from all over the world, as well as a dedicated group of Junior Instructors who have been sailing at Pleon for years! Pleon has been an incredibly influential place for many sailors over the years – providing a fun place to sail, have fun, and make life-long friends. I have been at Pleon for 10 summers now, and this is my second as Commodore. Please let me know if there is anything more I can do to make Pleon as enriching for you all as it has been for me. In Pleon’s long existence, it has created a unique culture that allows young sailors to be independent and take ownership of their club. Parker and I hope that your sailors take advantage of this amazing place and enjoy it as much as we do! Happy Sailing! Commodore Renee Torrie 2 2015 PLEON YACHT CLUB 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 Executive Director, Parker Dwyer and Commodore Renee Torrie. Parker, Renee and the flag officers and staff will supervise the waterfront throughout the season, Monday through Friday from 0900 to 1700, and (starting 6/28) Sundays, with free sail from 0900 to 1200. 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 early August for the following summer. Pleon also hosts several regattas including regional, national and international class championships. This year Pleon will be hosting 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 1145–1200 and 1630–1645 to answer your questions. If you are not available at these times, call the Executive Director to schedule a telephone call or meeting with your child’s instructor. 3 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 The primary emphasis of the Pleon Sailing Program is learning through sailing. Classes are taught in privately- and club-owned International Optimist Dinghies, Club 420s with spinnakers and trapezes, and Lasers of various rig sizes – full, Radial & 4.7, Sonars, and Open Bics. 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.) 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. 4 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 Executive 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 Monday, June 22nd and run through and including Wednesday, August 19th. (Note: Monday June 22 – Thursday June 25 classes will be held during the after school hours due to public schools getting out late. Classes will stick to the same daily schedule but morning classes will be held 3:00- 5:30 and afternoon classes will be held 5:30-8:00. Classes will return to the normal times on Friday June 26.) Pleon’s Commodore’s Ball will be held on Monday, August 17th. The annual banquet will be held on Wednesday, August 19th. Marblehead Junior Race Week will be held Monday, July 20th through Wednesday, July 22nd. Senior Race Week (a.k.a. “Marblehead NOOD”) will be held Thursday, July 23th through Sunday, July 26th. Please note that regularly scheduled classes will not be held at any time during this week. 5 PLEON YACHT CLUB PRIVATE LESSON POLICY Private lessons are available when the coaches have time outside of normal classes. Lessons can be scheduled through the Executive 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”. 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 Executive Director know. If your child misses a significant number of classes, you may want to consider private lessons. Q: How may a sailor’s progress in class be monitored? A: Check-in with your child’s instructor just prior to the end of class. (1145–1200 or 1630–1645). If that is not convenient, email or call Parker Dwyer, and he 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 make Pleon Yacht Club 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 being a visible presence during class time. The best opportunity for parents to watch or sail with their child is during 6 “free sail” or during one of the regularly scheduled “sail with your parents” evenings.