What’s it like to be a YYC Junior Sailor?      or the parent of one?

 Every weekday morning from late June until almost Labor Day, Junior Sailors arrive at the Youngstown Yacht Club dock by bicycle, family car, or on foot; life jacket over shoulder, lunch in hand, and Tevas ® on feet for a day's sailing.

 By 10 o'clock, they are headed out the river in the Club's dinghies, shepherded by accompanying instructors. In early July, movements are hesitant, landings rough, confusion frequent, and tears not unknown. Four weeks later, sailing in 20 knot winds is routine, racing rules are exploited to the utmost, and if the landings are still rough, it is a matter of impatience rather than inability. The children who were beginners a few short weeks before are competent; the ones who are back for advanced courses often become the experts.

 Youngstown Yacht Club's Junior Sailing Program has been a resounding success for more than forty years. At YYC, our teaching philosophy is that one learns best by doing. Consequently, our program features on-the-water sailing 5 full days a week.

 Sailors aged seven to eighteen are instilled with a love of sailing along with the fundamental sailing skills that they can build upon. They receive instruction in safe boating, seamanship, dinghy sailing, sailboat racing, and boat maintenance. And the friendships made in the Junior Program can be the most enduring they make. Some last a lifetime.

 Instructors and staff have received training from the United States Sailing Association, and have Red Cross training in First Aid and CPR. Juniors sail in YYC's fleet of Vanguard Prams, C&C Nutshell Dinghies and Vanguard Club 420's accompanied by instructors in four to eight high speed support boats equipped to Coast Guard standards, with VHF radios. The Junior Sailing Program is open to both Youngstown Yacht Club members and non-members.

 Enrollment is on a first come, first serve basis. Youngstown Yacht Club member applicants will receive preference over nonmember applicants until June 1, 2007. After this date, nonmember applicants will be assigned. If a desired session is full, you will be given the option to enroll in an unfilled session. Letters of acceptance will be made by June 15, 2008. If not notified by that date, please contact the Youngstown Yacht Club office at 745-7230 X 10.

 Placement. Although your child may have satisfied all of the requirements considered for advancement, we reserve the right to place your child in a class category deemed appropriate by the head instructor. The head instructor will place the most qualified children first, on a space available basis.

Lifejackets. US Coast Guard Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's) are required to be worn by all students enrolled in the YYC Junior Sailing Program. Students are required to provide their own PFD. A type III PFD is suggested and approved for all students, for all classes, by New York State. A Swim Test will be conducted at Fort Niagara the first day of each Junior Sailing session.

Lunch. Students enrolled in the full day classes must bring their own lunch in a labeled, waterproof, plastic bag. We suggest a one gallon size freezer baggie. A refrigerator is in the Junior Sailing Building.

Bad Weather. Classes will be held each scheduled day regardless of weather conditions. Weather conditions each day will dictate how much on the water sailing time each class will have. Alternative boating related activities and/or field trips will be arranged by the instruction staff.

2008 YYC Junior Sailing T-shirts will be given out at the annual Junior Sailing Awards Banquet. Details will be given to your child.

To obtain an application please contact: Josie Fettante, YYC Office Manager @ (716) 745-7230 Ext 10 or e-mail YYC@Roadrunner.com; Junior Sailing Director, Mark Schimley at (716) 773-3436 or e-mail mschimley@aol.com or Head Instructor, Bruce Matthews at (716) 417-7454 or e-mail: bcmatta3g@aol.com