2011 SWYC Adult Sailing Program
Sailing classes are offered at Lone Lake County Park, with the exception of the orientation class on the first day. Program emphasis is on how to sail while being safe and having fun. Classes are taught in an open air classroom setting and on the water at Lone Lake. Each class lasts four sessions, Tuesdays & Thursdays for 2 ½ hours. Cost for the class is $200 per student. South Whidbey Yacht Club members receive a $50 reduction. We accommodate participants with special needs as much as possible. Each sailor sail in a 12 ft. SF Pelican with one other student. An experienced Pelican sailor may accompany the two students depending on the weather at the time or the student’s anxiety level. This is a perfect class for someone with no sailing knowledge at all but has a desire to sail. It’s a great class for others who might have some sailing experience but want to gain more confidence. The orientation session is not mandatory but highly encouraged.
Scheduled Classes:
Tuesday June 14 10 AM to Noon
Orientation for all students for both classes at
SW Parks & Rec. 5475 Maxwelton Rd, Langley
Class 1
Tuesday June 14, 16, 21, 23 1 PM to 3:30 PM - Lone Lake County Park
Class 2
Tuesday June 14, 16, 21, 23 4 PM to 6:30 PM - Lone Lake County Park
Qualifications: No prior sailing experience is necessary. Students in this class must be comfortable around the water. They must feel confident that if a boat did capsize they can stay afloat for 5 minutes or more. They should have some mobility to move about in the boat and react quickly in some situations.
Equipment & Supplies: Students will use a 12 foot sailing pram called a SF Pelican and will sail with two students in a boat and may on occasion with 3 people. Other similar boats may be available as well. Students should bring a properly fitting PFD (Personal Flotation Device) or life jacket. Students should bring a bag with a change of clothes, a towel, a non-glass water bottle, sunscreen and any other personal items. The clothes bag should remain on shore in case of a capsize. The Pelican is a sturdy little boat built to sail safely on San Francisco Bay and doesn’t tip over easily but it can, so it is always good to be prepared.
Staff and Course: Our Head Instructor is US Sailing certified and will be assisted by experienced dinghy sailors. The course will use the US Sailing coursework and a textbook Learn Sailing Right! will be provided for each student. The course will cover safety on the water, sail boat nomenclature, wind awareness, rigging, and sailing basics, leaving and returning to the shore, rules of the road, etiquette and maybe few sailor’s knots. Our priorities are safety, then fun and learning. Sufficient staff will be on hand to ensure each participant receives personal attention.
Safety: Participants should bring a properly fitting Coast Guard-approved life jacket (a few will be available at the site). We require that participants and staff wear their life jackets at all times when on the water. Instructors in motorized safety boats will accompany and protect participants who are sailing. Instructors will teach sun protection, proper clothing, maintaining body temperature, capsize recovery and rules of the road.
Registration: Forms are available at the SW Senior Center office and the SW Parks & Rec Bldg. and website. Registration will be accepted up until the date classes begin provided that space is available but each class is limited so early registration is encouraged to ensure admission and facilitate scheduling. We reserve the right to cancel or combine classes depending on enrollment. Since this is a two person boat, couples and partners are encouraged.