Written by Bob Naylor
AYC is hosting an Open House and two classes at Lake Pleasant on Saturday, February 7. Details, including registration links and schedule, is below – hope you can join us!
Open house
Beginning at 1 p.m., AYC will host an “Open House” for interested sailors and members of the general public. We’ll have different types of sailboats on display, with skippers available to field questions about their boats and fleet. This is an opportunity to connect with people interested in sailing who aren’t familiar with AYC, and to do “fleet building” with current members or newbies exploring the virtues of our various boats and respective fleets.
The Open House is recommended for:
- Anyone interested in the Arizona Yacht Club, sailing, and sailboats.
- New AYC members and the general public interested in our club racing and sailing programs, or interested in checking out our new Lake Pleasant meeting and launch area, Spring Canyon.
The Open House will be located in Spring Canyon; see map below.
sailboat racing clinic
ASU’s Sailing Team coach, Nick Theut, will lead two hours of classroom instruction, followed by three hours of on-the-water practice races and coaching. Consider this clinic if you’re a new or intermediate sailboat racer interested in improving your racing skills.
This class is recommended for:
- Beginning and intermediate sailboat racers interested in racing either keelboats or dinghies.
- Current racers looking to improve their performance and racing results.
- Anyone wishing to learn more about sailboat racing.
Format:
Classroom Chalk-talk – Discussion of sailboat racing techniques, with specific content focused on starting, mark rounding, courses, lay lines, and finishing. Sail trim, racing rules, sportsmanship, and race tactics will be covered.
On-the-Water Practicum – Using their own dinghies or keelboats, participants will apply classroom learning through a series of practice races, with real-time coaching from Nick.
Prerequisites:
- Participants must know how to sail and swim. Don’t know how to sail? Check out learning opportunities with the Arizona Sailing Foundation.
- Participants will use their own dinghy or keelboat. A limited number of Sunfish sailboats are available to participants on a first-come basis.
RACE COMMITTEE PROCEDURES & SAFETY TRAINING CLASS
AYC Commodore Roger Pawley will provide instruction on AYC Race Committee practices and race safety, consisting of two hours of classroom work followed by three hours of on-the-water practice and training.
This class is recommended for:
- New members looking to get involved in club activities and spend time afloat. This is a great opportunity to meet other sailors and to learn about club racing programs.
- Existing Race Committee volunteers currently involved with race administration, starting, finishing, and scoring races, and crewing on or operating club powerboats.
- Anyone looking to learn more about club sailboat racing and interested in helping with club racing events.
- Those involved with organizing club on-the-water events will develop a better understanding of Race Committee and Safety practices and related volunteer staffing needs.
Format:
Classroom Instruction – Discussion of Race Committee roles, club procedures, and best practices covering AYC racing programs at both Lake Pleasant and Tempe Town Lake. Safety Chair Bob Naylor will cover Race Committee and participant safety practices, roles, and guidelines applicable to ensuring safe races for both participants and Race Committee volunteers.
On-the-Water Practicum – Class participants will receive afloat training and practice aboard the club’s Committee and Mark-set boats, where they will administer practice races for the Sailboat Racing Clinic participants, including mark-setting and assisting participating sailors as needed.
Prerequisites:
- None. No experience is necessary – all volunteers will be trained!
schedule of activities
All activities to be held on Saturday, February 7.
Pleasant Harbor Community Room (near the RV convenience store):
9:30 a.m. to 9:45a.m.: Check-in and meet-and-greet
9:45 a.m.: Commodore’s opening remarks
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.:
• Sailboat Racing Clinic chalk-talk/class work
• Race Committee Procedures and Safety Training
AYC Spring Canyon Launch Area:
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.: Lunch provided by AYC
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.:
• Open House
• Sailboat Racing Clinic: on-the-water practice races
• Race Committee Procedures and Safety Training Class: on-the-water
training and practice
4 p.m.: Wrap-up and informal social/hang-out
Click the map to see a larger version. Map to Pleasant Harbor RV Resort.
