Sailing clubs and instructors/sailing director questions

Hi Dave, you might contact the Sarasota Sailing Squadron and/or the Lake Eustis Sailing Club and put those questions to them, they both have excellent youth programs and both have good web sites with contact info there. Also, US Sailing has quite a bit of information available as far as training and youth programs, check out their web site as well and you can ask their youth director for his input.

We had a single Opti sailor's parents hire a sailing coach (current Clemson student) to give him so coaching at our club. Reportedly, the young coach would earn $60/hr at hoity-toity yacht clubs. He can expect $20/hr at ours.

Base salary on certification(s) and experience. Minimum US Sail Level 1 card and Red Cross first aid and CPR card. That brings $1M insurance to the table.

Pay more for Level 2 Instructor and Level 3 Coach.

US Sail is offering a new course for Level 3 Head Instructor. It's new so there won't be many people with the card.

Do they have to learn on Optis? Or is that just the cheapest entry method?

I participated in our local sail program (optis and 420), but don't think I'll join the travel team (for any sport) due to costs and time involved. I want the hooligans to learn to ENJOY the sport and learn the fun-damentals. If they really take an interest later on, they can join the HS or college teams.

One of the really fun deals they have here is Sunday at Sugdeon (our local park). Couple of Waves, a few 420 looking craft... Sail club rents the facility and all chip in $15/family for unlimited use of the boats for the day along with BBQ and other social stuff. We all pile on the Wave and chase down the other boats on the small lake. The kids love it.

We move from Sabots to Open Bics years ago. Primary reason was maintenance. We'd spend three to six weeks every year repairing the Sabots. The Bics are pretty much bullet proof.

Downside of the Bics is the film sails. Depending on use, we were luck to get three years out of them. We had North make sails that have lasted six years and are still going strong for about two thirds of the film sail price.

I like that concept. Somewhat

modern

design, bulletproof, and fun to sail

The best part for the kids is no bailing after a capsize. The Sabots took ten minutes. The Bics have an open stern.

Bic has a junior sail discount program. Retail is about $3100. Discount price is $2600 and they throw in carts depending on quantity.

If a large quantity is ordered Bic will ship directly from France. Quantity 20 gets the price down to $2530 including shipping.