Sailing Program Handbook Introduction The sailing program of the Haven Beach Club (HBC) is designed to serve children ages 8–18. Children must be age 8 years (or have completed second grade) by June 1st and may not turn 19 during the calendar year in order to be eligible to sail as part of the program. All sailing activity is conducted under the supervision of our head sailing instructor and junior sailing instructors. Our sailing instructors are local sailors who have mastered sailing skills and developed a passion for the sport. Each sailing instructor is trained and certified by U.S. Sailing and is also certified in first aid and CPR. Sailors are registered for the full HBC season. Lessons include classroom instruction, outdoor land-based instruction, physical conditioning (for older sailors) and time on the water. Instruction focuses on safety and a strong foundation in the basics. Instruction may include drills or fun games designed to demonstrate nautical skills. Classes meet rain or shine unless otherwise noted. Younger sailors start out in a boat call an Optimist, known as an Opti. The Optimist can be sailed until the sailor is 15 years old or weighs over approximately 120 pounds. As sailors gain experience and confidence, they graduate to Sunfish, Laser or 420s. As instructor skill sets may vary, we cannot always guarantee lessons for each boat type. Sailors are required to supply their own boat with the exception of first year sailors who may pay a usage fee to take lessons using HBC owned Optis. The availability is on a first registered and paid basis. Specific club boats will be assigned along with a rack. After the first year, sailors are required to supply their own boat. A summer land-based slip fee is charged for all boats on club property. Used Optis, Lasers and 420's can be purchased on the island. There is no need for a sailor to purchase a new boat. If the boats are well maintained, they can generally be sold for about the same price. All sailors must be able to pass a swim test which includes swimming 50 yards, treading water and securing a PFD (life jacket) while in the water. Sailors are required to wear water shoes at all times, have a US Coast Guard approved PFD with a whistle and follow program and club rules. 1 Revised 2019 The program runs from the third week in June until the second week in August. Specific dates for the beginning and closing of each season will be provided on an annual schedule. There will be a mandatory sailing meeting for sailors and a parent/guardian to attend on the the Sunday prior to the first class. The meeting is informative and the sailors will be able to meet their instructors. HBC also has an annual awards night for the swimming and sailing programs at the completion of the season. It is a great chance to celebrate our sailors’ hard work. We look forward to seeing you there! Awards Our sailing instructors work closely with our sailors all season and strive to give each sailor encouragement and instruction. During our awards night, there are many sailors who are recognized for their participation in the sailing program. Over the course of the summer, there are sailors who distinguish themselves through their excellence and dedication, or improvement. Our instructors acknowledge these two sailors specifically with the following awards: President’s Award This award is presented annually to that sailor whose outstanding achievements shine above all others regardless of age, category, or fleet. Gehret Award The sailor who exhibits sportsmanship-like qualities, demonstrates leadership and maturity, has earned the respect of their peers, teammates and coaches, is cooperative and dedicated to the best interests of the team a person who can take loss or defeat without complaint, victory without gloating and who treats both opponents and teammates with fairness, generosity, and courtesy. Sailing Program Goals The Goals for all levels of the sailing program include: ● to teach sailors to be willing to try, and not be afraid of failure ● to teach responsibility for self and equipment ● to teach respect for the water, and instill a love for sailing ● to teach teamwork and good sportsmanship ● to encourage pride in Haven Beach Club The Goals for intermediate and advanced sailors include: ● to challenge sailors and keep them interested in sailing ● to teach them to race ● to instill a passion for success ● to teach them the rules of sailing and good sportsmanship 2 ● to help them attain a level of achievement as close as possible to the top level of sailing Policies and Expectations The Haven Beach Club Sailing program abides by the rules and regulations of the Long Beach Island Yacht Racing Association (LBIYRA) with respect to youth sailing. LBIYRA follows US Sailing’s Code of Conduct and each LBIYRA member club is responsible for making sure their members adhere to this code of conduct. For your convenience, US Sailing’s code of conduct is included on page 16-17 for reference. In addition to following the U.S. Sailing Code of Conduct, Haven Beach expects the following of it sailors and sailing families: ● All students must pass the swim test in the bay, on the first day of class. This test is for the safety of all sailors and instructors. ● All sailors (with the exception of Opti Beginner 1) must arrive to sailing class 15 minutes before the start of class in order to be rigged and ready at the start of class. Your instructor cannot wait for late sailors. It is unfair to the rest of the class. ● All sailors are responsible for derigging, rinsing and racking their boats when class if complete. Sailors must derig their boat if they choose to leave during a class. Instructors will not be held responsible for equipment left out of place. This includes your personal belongings. ● Sailors are expected to come to class, rig their boats, and participate in all class activities on or off the water. HBC members and instructors are NOT responsible once a child leaves the club property. Note that if a child chooses not to participate in a sailing lesson or regatta, HBC instructors will not force him/her to do so. A parent will be contacted to pick up the child, and HBC will not provide supervision. Non-participating sailors must leave the instruction area immediately. Class Requirements Regardless of the class in which they are enrolled, all sailors are expected to adhere to the policies and expectations of the Haven Beach Club Sailing Program. The rules are designed for their safety. Additionally, all sailors should have the following items in addition to their boats. ● Life Jacket ● Whistle ● Shoes that can get wet (no bare feet or flip flops allowed) ● Hat and sunglasses ● Wear a bathing suit ; a rash guard (with sleeves) is recommended to avoid sunburn ● Water bottle 3 ● Towel Sailors should wear sunscreen and bring additional as needed. Parental Volunteerism Parents are required to volunteer during the sailing season. We are all responsible for our own sailors and if we work together we can help one another. We will use a sign-up genius to help coordinate volunteers. We will need volunteers for: ● Saturday series set up and clean up ● Transporting boats to inter-clubs and/or regattas ● LBIYRA Inter-club held a HBC ● Other activities that arise 4 Sailing Class Information Our sailing program is based on solid instruction with a focus on the basics, safety, fun and developing a lifelong love of sailing. Lessons are progressively more challenging, with boating games, field trips, and fun. Sailors may choose to work toward joining our exceptional racing team and test the waters of clubs along the Jersey coast. Classes are held Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Interclub Regattas are held on Wednesdays for our racing sailors. Sailing classes are held rain or shine! Occasionally Fridays are ‘Fun Days’ which can be on or off the water. OPTI BEGINNER 1 This class is held M, Tu, W, F. (optional Thursday possible; contact Jameson Parker) The Opti Beginner 1 class is for sailors in their first year of sailing. Sailors must be 8 years old prior to June 1st or have completed 2nd grade. The purpose of this class is to build a strong foundation for sailing and to get the kids hooked Lessons are designed to build comfort and confidence in the bay. Sailors will learn basic safety skills, terminology, rigging techniques and the basic mechanics of moving around the boat. All skills are mastered on land first before moving to the water. The sailors will start sailing independently and may even do a few fun races if they feel comfortable. OPTI BEGINNER 2 This class is held M, Tu, W, F. (optional Thursday possible; contact Jameson Parker) Opti Beginner 2 is for sailors with one year of sailing experience (those who have completed Opti Beginner 1). All skills learned in Opti Beginner 1 are reviewed; however, curriculum moves more quickly. Lessons focus on building confidence and comfort with sailing through drills on and off the water. All skills are mastered on land first before moving to the bay. The sailors will be introduced to racing and encouraged to race in HBC club races (Saturday series) if they feel ready. They may even attend their first green fleet regatta. OPTI INTERMEDIATE This class is held M, Tu, F (optional Thursday possible; contact Jameson Parker) Opti Intermediate is intended for sailors who have completed Opti Beginner 1 and Opti Beginner 2. All skills learned in Opti Beginner 2 are reviewed but curriculum moves more quickly.