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Junior Sailing at Housatonic Boat Club in Stratford, CT 2018
Come join us for the 2018 season of Junior Sailing at the Housatonic Boat Club. No previous experience required. Club boats included.
What could be better than Sun, Water, Wind, boats and kids all in the same place? They come together each day for Junior Sailing at the Housatonic Boat Club. Small boats, big boats, fast boats. Serious racing and simply messing about. As quoted from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, "Believe, me my young friend, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. "
At Housatonic Boat Club, we connect children with the water with the goal of making a sailor for life. We strive to introduce sailing to the student in fun and creative ways. They learn all the basics from wind direction, knot tying, to sail trim. How to use the river's current, basic sailing rules, racing strategy, team work and of course safety on and off the water. Our playground is the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound. We have fun, capable and experienced sailing instructors who are US Sailing certified to teach every level from novice to advanced racing, ages 8 to 16. Watch our morning beginner students (ages 8-12) confidence grow when they realize they can steer the boat and use the wind in their sails to take them where they want to go. Learning the Bernoulli Theory in relation to wind lift on a sail. Not magic but science. Basic geometry come into play with making your way windward realizing the shortest course to the mark or the shortest course to the dock for lunch!
The afternoon Junior Sailors are a little older, ages 12-16. They may have had some experience sailing or they may be new sailors but fit best into their peer group. No matter we go over the basics in the beginning of our 7 week program, working into racing techniques. Some children who are new sailors will find much to learn from our Instructors and fellow seasoned sailors, acting as crew. Older children who have been in our program before generally skipper the boats. We do however make sure that all positions are shared and everyone gets a chance at the helm. There are many opportunities for young sailors who show an interest. Skippers of big boats are always looking for strong and clever young crew willing to learn. Racing locally or getting involved as a serious regular crew for Block Island Race Week are only a few examples of exciting sailing opportunities. Learning the basics through Junior Sailing at the Housatonic Boat Club is a stepping stone for so many different kinds of sailing venues. Come enjoy the fun in the sun and learn to sail at the Housatonic Boat Club in Stratford CT!
