It’s mid-February — Valentine’s and Presidents Day season.
Which makes it the perfect time to talk about … sailing.
Gina Lewis’ children have participated in local programs for years. They’ve made friends up and down Long Island Sound.
As parents start to think about summer programs, Gina wants to spread the word about her kids’ sport. She writes:
There are a million reasons Westport is special, but one of the most extraordinary is our incredible access to the coastline — and with it, the sport of sailing.
From first tacking at Longshore Sailing School to competing at a championship level at Cedar Point and Pequot Yacht Clubs, Westport youngsters have an unparalleled opportunity to embrace a sport that builds life skills, confidence, and lifelong friendships.
Fun …
Longshore has been a rite of passage for generations. It’s the perfect introduction to sailing, where countless kids have learned to read the wind, navigate the water, and fall in love with the sport.
But many families don’t realize that once their young sailors are ready for the next level, both Cedar Point and Pequot Yacht Clubs offer incredible junior sailing programs.
You don’t have to be a member to learn to sail. Their programs are open to non-members.
Starting in Optimists — small single handed boats, led by high school and college sailors — kids learn the basics of sailing and navigation. For a few hours every morning they are taught to rig sails, understand the wind and handle a boat out on the water.
The pride and independence they develop is amazing to see, when they bring their parents along for the annual sunset sail.
… independence …
Once kids grow out of Optimists, they have a choice to sail a Laser (single- handed), or partner with a friend to sail a Feva or a C420.
These boats are more complex and faster, allowing young sailors s to continue to grow throughout their teenage years.
… a group lesson …
In the summer, young sailors participate in Junior Sailing Association of Long Island races. They meet and race against peers from Larchmont to Milford, and across the Sound to Oyster Bay and Centerport.
At Staples High School, sailing team members race C420s in the fall (club season) and spring (varsity season).
The team practices at Pequot, and sails in regattas against local high school once a week. (Their Instagram is @staples.sailing.)
… catching the wind …
Our kids enjoy their summer program so much, they now sail year-round with a local team. Sailing has introduced them to people and places from all over the country. They have been fortunate enough to experience amazing places and cultures through sailing.
Pequot Yacht Club’s junior sailing registration is now open. The season kicks off June 16.
Both Pequot and Cedar Point boast superb coaching staffs, and an environment where older sailors mentor and guide the next generation. That’s a testament to the camaraderie and character-building the sport fosters.
Westport’s coastline is unmatched. But it’s the access to sailing — and the friendships, skills, and memories it cultivates — that make it even more special.
… and they’re off!
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Our oldest son learned to sail 40+ years ago at Longshore. It’s a great way to learn to sail and understand that it’s not the end of the world to tip over and find yourself in the water. He’s still boating on the Sound, although he’s traded in a sailboat for a powerboat….not everyone can be perfect. I’m highly recommend the program to any parent. Sailing is a lifelong skill that is particularly useful in a boating community such as Westport.
Thank you so much for sharing so much useful information. I have been able to experience so many things as a resident that I would not have known about and appreciate the history of the town I have made my home.
That’s great to see and read on a fairly dreary February day. There are more of these Optimist Prams in the world than any other class of sailboat. Just note the difference in the sail numbers on the boats here. Not the most elegant looking vessels, they make up for that by being the safest, effective design for teaching kids to sail. And many of the world’s best sailors sailed Opti’s first. The boat was designed by Clark Mills in 1947.