DS Sailing Team Handbook

DSHS Sailing Team Philosophy: Our philosophy is based on the following statement. “If in winning the race you have lost the respect of your competitors the race was not won.” (Elvestrom) Our goal is to create a team atmosphere where equality, fairness, and team spirit can flourish amongst all of us.

DSHS Sailing Team Awards:

Our team awards at the end of the season voted on by the sailors, some awards by coaches; represent the hard work everyone has put in during the season.

Most Improvement Sailor Award (voted on by team)

This award recognizes an athlete who has shown significant improvement in sailing from, at least, the end of last season to the end of this season. An athlete could show his/her improvement in the form of gained sailing knowledge and ability. It is recognized that improvement comes from hard work, dedication and a willingness to take positive risks.

Most Valuable Sailor Award (voted on by team)

This award recognizes an athlete who has demonstrated excellence in the sport of Sailing. This individual continually strives for, and reaches, excellence by setting goals and working hard while maintaining a positive and supportive attitude. He/she has sailed competively in all league races, league championships, and major regattas. He/she is a talented athlete who has produced results that continue to propel the competitive success of our team.

The Sportsmanship Award (Chosen by Coach and Captains)

This award recognizes the team member who best demonstrates the main idea of the team’s philosophy. He/She has clearly taken in upon themselves to ensure that the rules and ideals of sailing have been protected. Sailing is a sport where sportsmanship reigns supreme both on and off the water and this sailor has clearly possessed that ideal in their attitude all season.

The Sarah E. Morin Award (Chosen by the Coach)

This award is given annually to the sailor who best emulates what Sarah Morin ’01 brought to the sailing program at D-S. Sarah Morin took it upon herself, while she attended D-S, to ensure that sailing would continue. Sarah was convinced that with only 6 team members she could create an environment where sailing could prosper and become a strong and competitive program at D-S. The recipient of this award is the sailor who puts forth the effort and attitude that best exemplifies both the desire and personal attributes that allows D-S Sailing to continue its’ strong commitment to excellence.

Next Years’ Captains: Voted by sailors. Coach will have final discretion.

Our individual awards at the end of the season, earned by athletes, also reflect and celebrate our philosophy.

A Varsity letter may be earned by a team member who:

· is in good standing according to team policies and expectations

· attendance record is greater than or equal to 90%

A Participation Certificate may be earned by a team member who:

· is in good standing according to team policies and expectations

· attendance record is greater than or equal to 80%

· has been a positive participant and contributor to our team.

*Awards will be given to individuals who have attendance records of less than 80% at coaches’ discretion.

DSHS Sailing Team policies and expectations

Policies: Team Rules and Safety

Rule 1: We are an academic institution and not a sports camp. You will attend extra help if you, your parents, or your teachers see that it is needed. I will periodically check on your grades and if there is a need for you to attend extra help in specific classes in order to maintain your place in the sailing program that will be required.(Please Note) If you are coming late to practice due to extra help please bring a note from the teacher.

Rule 2: I am at the pond by 3pm every day, if not earlier. No boats go in the water and no one goes in the water for any reason without a coach being there. Obviously if you wish to come early to practice and get the boats rigged so we can be off the docks by 3:35 that is appreciated. Capt’s are responsible for delegating the daily rigging assignments.

Rule 3: While the weather is cold you will have a dry suit or you will not be allowed to participate. You will also dress appropriately under that dry suit, no jeans. A fleece or warm layer is required.

Rule 4: No sailing out of range of the committee dock, coaches, or the practice fleet. We are not allowed to have any type of motorized craft on Farm Pond. We use Row Boats or Kayaks to coach from and run practice. The reason we require dry suits is they will protect you from the cold water, but I don’t want to have to row/paddle across the pond to reach you because you were sailing way too far away from the practice area.

Rule 5: Expect to get wet!!!!! Just when you think you won’t get wet it will happen. We are a rescue trained team. If a boat capsizes and there is a need for immediate assistance you will hear three loud whistles. When this occurs you will head into the wind and plan to help those in need. We are proud of the fact that DS is a team that always checks on each other and competitors. Even though rarely does a capsized boat need assistance you will ask and you will care for each other and our competitors. We will go over and drill regarding safety situation first and foremost before we start the season so if you have a question or concern please always ask.

Coach’s expectations

1) Attendance Policy: One of the most important parts of being on a team is the sense of commitment. Commitment starts with attendance. I hold this value high. I feel it is important to show commitment to your team by contributing to it every day and making it a priority. I believe that I have developed a policy that is fair and will allow the sailing team to compete successfully. I would enjoy not even implementing an attendance policy, but we are just not at that point yet. This policy is a way to monitor the team and hold everyone to the same expectation.

Parents and Sailors please note:

All sailors are expected to be at all practices and home races. We ask that you do not schedule doctor, dentist or other non-emergency appointments during practice times or races, if at all possible, since our practices are very important. Schedule these appointments during the summer months or during other vacation times.

I understand that unforeseeable circumstances may arise that could prevent athletes from being at practice, but I also feel strongly that the sailors need to be at practice in order to be successful in races and also to keep practice amongst skippers and crew consistent. College visits and other academic meetings obviously take priority over sailing activities. Please feel free to contact me with any issues regarding this policy.

Therefore, if a sailor is absent the day before a race day he/she will not be allowed to compete in the following day’s race. However, they may still be expected to attend the race where they can be there to help support their teammates. If a sailor misses a race they will not sail in the following two race days. If a sailor gains a 3^rd practice or race absence during the season he/she will again not be allowed to compete in the following race and in addition he/she will have a conference with the coach to discuss his/her continued participation on the team. Upon a 5^th absence the athlete runs the risk of being dismissed from the team, per coaches’ discretion.

Note that leaving practices or a races early is unacceptable, as the end of practice is just as important as the beginning and middle and leaving a race before it is over does not reflect the kind of commitment to the team that we are trying to develop. Every team member is important and the commitment everyone brings to the team will help foster an environment where everyone will feel unified toward having the nest experience possible and make us a stronger team. Athletes will receive 1/2 credit for the day if they choose to leave early.

Saturday practices and regattas, while limited, may be on our schedule as well. Those sailors who are consistent racers should plan on attending these practices and regattas in order to reach your highest potential as a sailor and demonstrate commitment to our team. Everyone should assume they are competing in a Saturday regatta until told otherwise. I will make a concerted effort to only practice on Saturdays if needed and there are only 2-3 weekend regattas schedule this season.

If you are going to be absent for any Regular Practice, Race, or Saturday practice or regatta, an email from you to the coach informing them ahead of time is expected. This means days in advance not hours. Plan ahead and make sure you communicate with me and the capt’s about scheduling conflicts

*Captains are expected to attend all weekend practices and regattas.

General Practice Times: Monday to Thursday 3:15-5:45pm (Captains will start rigging at 3:15)

Friday 2:30-5pm (Captains will start rigging at 2:30)

Saturday: (if needed) 9:00-11:30am

See actual schedules for more detailed dates and times of practices and meets.

Vacation Week Schedule: We will set aside several days for a planned vacation during April vacation week, but it is impossible to stay competitive if we take 10 days off during vacation week. All sailors are expected to attend the vacation week practice session which will be posted by November 15^th of the previous year. We will follow the guidelines in the Dover Sherborn Athletic Handbook regarding missed vacation time.

Summary:

1) Mon-Fri Practices/Races, expected to attend all (allotted only 3 absences total) Consequence: not able to participate in following day’s race. * Note: 90% attendance record is needed to be considered for a Varsity Letter

2) Sat Practices/Meets, Capt’s and consistent racers are expected to attend all

Bus/Van Policy: Every sailor MUST ride to AND from regattas with the team on the team bus/van. The only exception would be if a parent of an athlete is at the meet and he/she speaks with the coach to say the athlete is leaving with him/her. There will be no exceptions to this rule. No notes will be accepted. In addition to this, we also expect that no sailor leave before the regatta. We are a team and we should be supporting each other to the very end. If a sailor does choose to leave before a regatta is over, see above in regards to attendance.

Team Practice Expectations:

1) Arrive on time to all practices (3:15 Monday- Thurs, 2:30 Fri, 10am Sat if scheduled)

Rigging and De-Rigging

All sailors will put dry suits on before rigging any boats.

Team members will be expected to help with the preparation for our practices and our home regattas. Duties include rigging boats and getting out on the water for practice as soon as possible. This means we will have 9 boats rigged and in the water by 3:30 each day. It also means that the boats will be de-rigged by 5:30 pm each day.

A violation to the above expectation will result in the following:

1^st Violation: minimum consequence = a verbal warning

2^nd Violation: minimum consequence = counted as 1 missed practice

3^rd Violation: minimum consequence= counted as 2 missed practices.

2) Be prepared for practices and regattas. Have a bag, which you have specifically designated for Sailing, with you for every practice and regatta. Equipment that should be in this bag:

a) A Dry suit, no wet suits will be allowed

b) A life jacket

c) A pair of sailing boots or water type shoes

d) Sailing gloves, a winter and spring pair

e) Warm up clothes (sweatshirt, long pants, long sleeve shirt, hat, gloves etc.)

e)f) sailing pinnie (if it is a regatta day)

Pick Up Policy

Practice ends at 5:30pm. Please make sure your parents are at the pond and ready to pick you up by then. I cannot leave the pond until every sailor is picked up or has left. I have a 40 min commute home and my wife works 3^rd shift at the hospital I need to get home as well.

3) Make good social choices: If you violate the schools drugs, alcohol, or tobacco policies

you will not race for the remainder of the season. No exceptions…………

D-S Sailing Team Required Equipment:

The following are mandatory items:

Dry Suit: This is a waterproof sailing suit that doesn’t allow the sailor to become wet. This is a mandatory item due to the cold weather sailing the team partakes in. It is a vital piece of survival apparel that ensures the safety of each sailor.

Type III PFD Life-Jacket: This is a required piece of safety equipment for all sailors.

The following are suggested items:

Sailing Gloves:

Neoprene winter gloves: These are full fingered gloves that will ensure a sailors hands stay warm during sailing early in the season/

Sailing gloves: These are half fingered sailing gloves that will both keep hands protected from blisters and warm in spring sailing conditions.

Water Shoes/ Sailing Boots: These are either neoprene sailing shoes or full sailing type boots.

Basic Seamanship Test Requirement

Before you will be allowed to sail you must pass the basic seamanship written test. This test will be given on the Fri of the first week of practice and it will include the following: The parts of the boat, sails, 10 basic team racing rules, and three basic sailing knots. A passing grade of 80% will be required before getting on the water.

DSHS Sailing Team Website:

Information that can be found and accessed on our website:

1) Regatta Schedule

2) Practice Schedule

3) Race Results

4) Individual Athlete Performance Sheets

5) Directions to our meets

6) Coaches contact information

7) Announcements

8) Team Roster

9) Records

10) And more

Please stop by the site and check it out, and check often

To access the website you can type in the direct address

https://sites.google.com/site/luceswebsite/dover-sherborn-sailing-team

Or you can access it indirectly through the DS High School home page

1) Go to www.doversherborn.org

2) Click on the picture of the high school

3) Click on “Athletics” in the pull down menu under “Getting Around DSHS”

4) Click on “D-S Sailing Team” at the top of the page

DSHS Sailing Team Captain Roles and Responsibilities

1) Help organize and advertise for the sign up meeting in January.

2) Read and follow the DSHS Athletic Captains’ Handbook (to be developed in summer of ’08)

3) Contact all new potential members of the team prior to March 10th to introduce yourself and answer any questions.

4) Attend all practices and meets starting March 16th. Plan your schedule early and accordingly.

5) Organize pasta dinners.

6) Act as a liaison between coaches and the rest of team

7) Lead by example

8) Organize the end of the season banquet (along with your parents)

*Roles and responsibilities may be added when needed as the season progresses

Student-Athlete Signature

I, ___________________________________, have read the entire Sailing Team handbook and am

(print your first and last name here) aware of the information contained within. As a member of this team I will follow the policies and expectations outlined above.

Circle your response to verify the following then sign your name below.

_________________________________________________________________________

(signature) (date)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Parent Signature

I, _________________________________, have read the entire Sailing Team handbook

(print your first and last name here)

and am aware of the information contained within. As a parent of a sailor on this team I will help

my child adhere to the policies and expectations outlined above.

Circle your response to verify the following and then sign your name below: