OYSF’s newly revived Community Sailing Program at Willamette Sailing Club was a great success last year and we’re excited to keep the momentum going! This could not have been possible without the motivation of Self Enhancement, Inc. and generous funding by the TK Foundation and the Portland Philopthochos Society. Thank you! Expect to see us out there again on Fridays in the spring and fall of 2019…
FYI, here is a description of our Community Sailing Program:
The program consists of four sessions of four classes each at Willamette Sailing Club (WSC) on Fridays from 3:30-7:30pm during the months of April, May, September, and October. Certified WSC coaches administer a US Sailing-approved beginner sail training course on Club 420 dinghies. The standardized WSC learn-to-sail course curriculum includes a history of sailing, water safety, nomenclature, physics of sailing, rigging/unrigging, points of sail, steering, tacking/jibing, launching/landing, knots, right of way, capsize recovery and all other US Sailing-specified beginner skills. The WSC website describes this course: “Teens will learn the basics of small boat sailing while doing drills and fun games designed to practice boat handling skills. 420s are a double-handed 14-foot dinghy and are a great introduction to sailing!”. WSC will employ at least two insured, US Sailing-certified coaches per class. WSC uses professionally maintained and insured Boston Whaler coach boats at their Willamette River sailing center. The participants are selected by Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) based on availability and interest from within their after-school programs. Nutritious snacks are also provided.
Upon completion of each session, interested students will be placed in WSC’s free Counselor In Training (CIT) program. The WSC CIT volunteer program trains uncertified, potential sailing coaches by pairing them with certified, experienced coaches during summer learn-to-sail programming. CITs assist Lead Coaches in all shore and water activities. Responsibilities include coach boat and facility maintenance, class safety and behavior management, rigging/unrigging, and learning to lead a beginner course. After a participant completes the CIT program (meaning they have served at least one season as a CIT, are at least 16 years of age, and have earned US Sailing Level I Instructor and Oregon Safe Boater certification), they will be promoted to a paid Assistant Coach role and eventually to a Lead Coach position. Participants who enter and complete WSC’s CIT program will then be guided through US Sailing instructor certification and Oregon Safe Boater certification. OYSF will provide funding for such endeavors. WSC has also agreed to provide free youth and high school sailing memberships to those who enter the CIT program.
