Program FAQ
Sail Program FAQ
What Is The Daily Sailing Schedule?
Sailors, other than beginners, are expected to arrive early each day so they can rig their boats before class begins. Lessons will begin promptly as scheduled. Latecomers may miss the opportunity to get out on the water. We hope that each child will attend all scheduled classes in order to gain the greatest benefit from the program.
Your child’s instructors have planned a busy and wide-ranging schedule of activities for all classes. A sailing calendar is available that gives the dates of all sailing program events and regattas. Coaches and instructors will make sailors and their parents aware of any additional regattas and other special events that are added as the summer goes along.
What Boats Are Sailed In The Program?
Optimist Dinghy (Opti): Single-handed
ILCA 4.7 & Radial: Single-handed
Club 420: Double-handed
RS Quest: 3 sailors per boat
Can My Children Participate If They Don't Have A Boat?
The Club owns RS Quests, and Club 420's, but not Optis or ILCAs. If your child will be sailing a Quest or 420, the club supplies the boat. If your child intends to sail an Opti or an ILCA, he/she must have one available to him/her.
Do My Children Have To Be Able To Swim To Participate?
Competent swimming skills are a vital component of good, safe sailing. The HYC youth sailing program has a companion youth swimming program. All sailors must take both a swimming test and swimming lessons every year, until they’ve passed Community Water Safety. Our schedule is structured to accommodate both activities.
What Do My Children Need To Bring To The Sailing Program?
If sailing an Optimist Dinghy (Opti) or Laser, your sailor will need to bring their own boat.
In addition to their boat and its equipment, each sailor will need:
- U.S.Coast.Guard approved life jacket (required) with whistle securely attached (required)
- *New for 2022* A Sailing/Watersport Helmet is strongly recommended.
- Shoes with covered toes (required) – no sandals
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Dry clothes for after lessons
- Towel
- Fleece or wicking type Sweatshirt for warmth
- Rain gear (we go out in the rain!)
- Watch with countdown timer (advanced programs only)
Dehydration
Please emphasize to your children the importance of protecting themselves from the sun and dehydration. Stress the importance of wearing hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and drinking water regularly.
Lost and Found
Note: Please check daily to make sure your child brings home everything she/he brought to the Club in the morning. An incredible array of towels, life jackets, sunglasses, shoes and other items accumulate at the Club every season. Lost and Found items will be placed on a rack outside the youth room. Be sure to check this rack regularly for familiar belongings. All remaining items will be removed each Friday.
Swim Program FAQ
Do You Encourage My Child To Swim Outside Of Class?
One of our goals is to develop swimmers who enjoy swimming and are confident around the water. We encourage them to swim outside of class. Beginning with Level IV – Intermediates, participants are required to complete an age appropriate number of miles to move on to the next level. Most of these miles are accomplished in class for those swimmers who attend all of the classes. Children who swim these miles get the greatest benefit from the program.
Level IV – Intermediates - 4 miles
Level V – Swimmers - 6 miles CWS/BWR – 8 miles
Level VI – Advanced Swimmers - 10 miles
Instructor Training – 12 miles
Are Classes Held On Rainy Days?
Yes! Depending on the weather, the children either swim or the classes are held inside. There are many activities that teach water safety that can be practiced on land.
How Can I Get My Child Ready For A Lesson?
Keep them out of the water before their class. Children who are rested and warm are more likely to have a positive experience and participate in the entire lesson. We would like you to keep your child out of the water for at least 30 minutes prior to class.
Parent Involvement
How Can I Help My Child Have A Good Experience With The Youth Program?
Be involved and supportive. The Youth Committee welcomes help from parents with several activities throughout the summer. These activities could include chaperoning a dance, serving as parent of the day at a regatta or at a swim meet, and volunteering for the HYC Youth Invitational. Contact Dave Penfield, Sailing Program Director, or Pam Nothacker, Swimming Program Director, to find out how you can help.
Every week on Friday, the Program Directors will send out an email blast Newsletter that includes important dates and things to be aware of for the upcoming week. This may include variations from the usual routine such as picnics, longer days, etc. In addition, The Swim and Sail Directors will hold a Q & A session every Monday at 12:30PM on the Patio. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and/or clarify things pertaining to the program.
Youth Program Club Policies
In order to run a safe and productive program we have developed some rules and a progressive discipline policy. Each participant will have three chances to correct inappropriate behavior which may include, but is not limited to:
- Continued and willful disobedience
- Open defiance of the authority of any instructor
- Conduct of such nature as to constitute a continuing danger to the physical well being of other participants
- Physical or verbal assault upon another participant or upon any instructor or other club employee
- Taking, or attempting to take personal property or money from another participant by means of force or fear
- Willfully causing, or attempting to cause substantial damage to club property
All participants are expected to respect each other, the Club, and Club property.
For more information please refer to the following documents, revised in 2021.
Youth Program Progressive Discipline Policy 54Y
SAFE SPORT INITIATIVE
Please click here to access the Safe Sport website