The Sailor's Life For Kids, Right Here in Oceanport

You may live within a stone's throw of the Shrewsbury River, but when is the last time you or your kids got to enjoy it first hand?

For more than 50 years, Shrewsbury Sailing & Yacht Club, Oneida Ave., has been teaching children to enjoy the lifelong sport of sailing. The club teaches both member and non-member children from ages 7 to adult at a variety of skill levels, including racing.

"If your child has never sailed before, we will make their first experience enjoyable and safe. If your child is a competitive racing sailor, we will challenge them to improve. If your child is somewhere in between, we have a place for them," program coordinators said.

This year SSYC will offer two sessions including a new program just for 7-year-olds.

2011 Mini-Camp Session

Mini-Camp Session; June 20 - June 24

• The extremely popular five-day camp introduces novices to sailing in a fun and non-threatening manner. It is open to beginners, ages 8 and up, with no more than 2 years of lessons and is available mornings or afternoons. It concludes with a barbecue on Friday, June 24, at 6 pm where sailors can show off their new skills. Sailors may choose to take this camp alone or continue through one of our summer sessions.

2011 Summer Session

Novice Session (7 year old's only)

• This once a week class introduces novices to sailing in a fun and non-threatening manner. It is open to beginners, ages 7 and up entering the second grade, with no sailing experience. This class is offered Wednesdays from July 1 - August 6. The cost is $150 members/$250 non-members with the boat charter fee included.

Beginners Session -- This class includes basic water safety, boat setup/rigging, boat handling and sailing skills. Children sail primarily in Optimists dinghies (Optis) and occasionally, National 10s (N-10s). Three classes are offered:

• Mon. and Wed. 8:30 am - noon  or Tues. and Thurs. 8:30 am - noon. The cost is $275 members/$550.  A boat charter fee of $247 applies for students who need to use a club-owned boat.
• Fri. 8:30 am - noon. For this bonus class students must already be enrolled in one for the other beginner classes. The cost is $75 members/$100 members. Charter fee is included.
 

Intermediates Session --  In this class, sailors progress beyond the basics, polish their basic sailing skills and begin to learn the fundamentals of sailboat racing. Children primarily sail Optis, with a few moving in to Club 420s. Three classes are offered:

• Mon. and Wed. 1 pm - 4:30 or Tues. and Thurs. 1 pm - 4:30. The cost is $275 members/$550. A boat charter fee of $247 applies for students who need to use a club-owned boat.
• Fri. 1 pm - 4:30 pm. For this bonus class students must already be enrolled in one for the other intermediate classes. The cost is $75 members/$100 members. Charter fee is included.

Advanced Session -- Good sailing and basic racing skills acquired, sailors learn more advanced skills, advanced racing tactics, boat tuning and are encouraged to participate in local regattas and  travel to local sailing events. Three classes are offered:

• Opti (full day) Tues. and Thurs. 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. The cost is $400 members/$650. A boat charter fee of $247 applies for students who need to use a club-owned boat.
• Laser (full day) Mon. and Wed. 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. The cost is $400 members/$650. A boat charter fee of $247 applies for students who need to use a club-owned boat.
• Opti (half day) Tues. and Thurs. 8:30 am - noon. The cost is $350 members/$600. A boat charter fee of $247 applies for students who need to use a club-owned boat.

Race Teams Session -- Travel in and out of state to regattas plus additional on/off water coaching. Completion of Advanced Session is a prerequisite. Race teams are offered based upon sufficient interest. Tryouts may be held based upon increased interest, and the coaches will determine the composition of each team. Two sessions are available:

• Opti and 420 race sessions are from June 27 - Aug. 19. Times are to be determined by the coach. The cost is $550 members/$750. A boat charter fee of $247 applies for students who need to use a club-owned boat.

Applications are due June 1. After that a $75 fee will be tacked on. For more information or to register for junior lessons, contact SSYC.