May 2022 Papoose Article

After 2 years of Covid restrictions, our summer JUNIOR SAILING PROGRAM is back in full force! Our US Sailing Certified instructors will be home from college to teach youngsters age 10 and up in three levels of classes ranging from beginner to racing level. The Junior classes are scheduled in half-day sessions over 5 weeks from July 5 to August 5. Private or group lessons for all ages can be arranged on Saturdays as well as earlier or later in the summer. More information and the registration forms are ready to download from our website: www.LakeMohawkSailing.org. This program is only for Lake Mohawk Country Club members, their children and grandchildren. Lake Mohawk Yacht Club members have priority in registration and a discount. Here are the dates and prices for the 5-week programs:

LMYC JUNIOR SAILING PROGRAM (ages 10 and up):

Dates: July 5 – August 5, 2022

Sailing Level 1: Beginners on Sunfish

Mon., Tues., Thurs.

A.M. Class: 9:30 am – 12:15 pm OR

P.M. Class: 1:15 pm – 4:00 pm

Sailing Level 2 on Sunfish & Snipe:

Wed. & Fri. 9:30 am – 12:15 pm

Sailing Level 3/3+, Advanced Sailing:

Wed. & Fri. 1:15 pm – 4:00 pm

Cost: Level 1 - $375, Levels 2 or 3 - $250

The Level 1 class covers the basics of sailing, water safety, caring for and rigging a sailboat, rules of the road, capsize recovery, tacking, jibing, departing and returning to docks. The focus is on safety, seamanship and boat handling using Sunfish sailboats. The Level 2 and Level 3/3+ classes - are oriented to returning or experienced students who want advanced instruction in sail trim, boat tuning and larger boat handling on Sunfish and Snipes. The focus is on skills, with contests in mark rounding and racing.

Although our experienced racing members at the Yacht Club often take on youngsters and newcomers to the sport as crew members and teach them the skills, we didn’t have a formal training program for a long time. Then John & Shirley Miller moved to Lake Mohawk, joined the Yacht Club and John settled in as our resident sailing expert. John had been an instructor with Offshore Sailing School where he was Director of Offshore's Tortola B.V.I. branch and also instructed learn to sail, cruising, and racing classes there and in Captiva, FL. John learned to sail on Packanack Lake, and started our Junior Sailing Program in 1996. He provided some interesting and amazing facts. Since its founding in 1996, the Program has:

· Completed 26 summers

· Developed 3 curriculum skill levels

· Secured and use several Club-owned Sunfish and Snipes

· Taught approximately 500 students!

· Developed over 14 US Sailing Association certified instructors

· Spawned an Adult learn-to-sail program, with the instructors, curriculum and boats from the Junior program

Back in 1996 all of the boats at the Yacht Club were privately owned by members, so we borrowed 4 Sunfish. We had only 1 afternoon class with 8 students – 2 per boat. We had 2 instructors, with one being hired from outside the LM reservation. As our own students became proficient, we began to hire them as instructors and sent them off to US Sailing training to become certified. That program requires open water training and testing as well as written exams, plus CPR and first aid training.

Since we needed boats for the program, members who were moving away started to leave their Sunfish with us and we still have some of those today. Then a few Snipe sailing members donated their boats when they retired or moved, and we added advanced training courses on the bigger boats. Soon adults noticed the action and we began offering classes for them on Saturdays. Many of them became members of the Yacht Club and some of their kids became instructors. It’s been a great adventure!

Our current instructors, Joseph Fleming and Katie Mackey, learned to sail in our Jr. program. Joseph is a student at Sussex County CC and Katie is attending Bucknell. Both of them take part in our Sunday races and know a lot about sailing, in addition to being smart, caring and resourceful. We’re lucky to have them. And we’re lucky to have two stalwarts in our club who grew and managed this program for most of its years: Past Commodore Perry Anderson and past Club Secretary Jan Oldridge.

As for Club events, we will start our Sunday Racing Series on May 15 and continue through the middle of October. Our first Open Regatta, in which all LMCC members can participate, is the annual Gabor Cup Regatta scheduled for Sunday, June 5^th. Information on that race, as well as all kinds of info on our Club including how to join, is or will be on our website: www.LakeMohawkSailing.org. You can also write us at: LakeMohawkSailing@gmail.com.

Until next month, Smooth Sailing and God bless America!

Submitted by Gail Miner