Happy Friday from the Junior Club!

Week 7 Wrap-Up

The seventh week at the Junior Club had some of the biggest excitement yet.  We brought back an all but forgotten race for the Daniel Bacon Prize.  The instructor team worked hard to nominate the six most qualified skippers, who we then entered into a match racing bracket.  The rest of the sailors got to rotate in as crew in the 420s.  It was tons of fun and everyone learned a lot!  We had our first BBQ and Demo night, which proved itself to be very successful.  Many of our sailor got to show off their new skills while their parents looked on from the dock.

Beginner Opti Class

This week, unfortunately, lacked wind.  We spent loads of time practicing capsizing, swimming, drifting, and playing games.  On Wednesday, some of the kids had a chance to sail 420s during the Daniel Bacon Prize.  I am very excited for our next week and am crossing my fingers for more wind.

Intermediate Opti Class

This week, it was great to see some of the intermediates compete at their first regatta!  Everyone did really well, but most importantly, they had a good time while racing for a cause.  During practice, we focused on roll tacks, since we had extremely light air all week.  The intermediates were also exposed to match racing (sailing in 420s as well!) for the firsts time on Thursday when they competed for the Daniel Bacon Prize.

Optimist Race Team

Monday was a fantastic day for wind.  We got two full sessions in, and in the afternoon we raced the intermediates, Lasers, and 420.  Tuesday and Wednesday was light and we didn't really get sailing, so we occupied ourselves with a bit of theory and land games. On Thursday, we did the match races for the Daniel Bacon Prize, which one of the team, Erica Scheblein, won.  Friday, we got some last minute training and prep for Champs, which starts on Saturday.

Laser and Club 420/Pixel Classes

The guys worked on upwind and downwind sailing this week in preparation for the JSA Champs next week.  We worked on boat handling, tacking and gybing in particular.  On Thursday, they competed in the Daniel Bacon Prize, with Jack Glenn finishing second place.  Next week, Matt Priebe, Gerard Eastman, and Jack Glenn are competing in the JSA Champs and we wish them the best of luck!

Happy Friday from the Junior Club!

Week 6 Wrap-Up

Another awesome week of sailing is in the books.  The regatta schedule is still going strong and our sailors are learning tons!  We were lucky to have some RS Fevas on loan from The Boat Locker (located in Bridgeport, CT) for all of the kids to try out.  They had lots of fun trying out the double-handed boats and learning the asymmetrical spinnaker setup.  For a more detailed review of what each class learned this week, see below.

Beginner and Intermediate Opti Classes

This week, we focused on upwind sailing techniques and racing in both the beginner and intermediate groups.  All beginners learned how to use the combination of telltales and sail trim to sail upwind fast and efficiently without reaching.  On the windy days this week, all sailors were taught the tack-around technique i norder to avoid capsizing.  On Monday, all sailors were able to conquer the heavy winds and reach all the way to the Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club for ice cream.  They did a great job!

Throughout the week, sailors also participated in practice races where they were able to utilize previously learned skills to start and sail around the course.  Both the beginner and intermediate sailors have improved greatly throughout the summer and will only learn more in the weeks ahead!

Opti Race Team

We only had two sailors for the Monday of this week, so we did upwind and downwind speed, followed by some quick starts.  Bolstered by a couple of kids returning from Nationals, the team grew to six sailors.  We did a lot of boat handling and, in particular, we focused on the leeward mark rounding and the rules associated with it.  On Wednesday, we raced The WaterFront Center, which was again good practice for busier starts.  Thursday was the regatta, which went well, with Seawanhaka winning three of the nine podium positions and another spot at Champs.  We wrapped up the week by taking the boats off the trailer, debriefing from the regatta, and having some fun time on the water.

Club 420/Pixel Class

This week, the 420 class celebrated Frank's safe return from his Mediterranean escapades.  We continued our work in the 420 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  On Thursday, we joined up with the Laser class and sailed the RS Fevas that we had as demo boats.  We took the opportunity to beat up the Lasear class and had a great time doing it.  On Friday, we worked really hard on having a lot of fun in the calm conditions after a busy week!

Laser Class

This week, the Laser sailors competed in the final qualifying regatta, which was held in Shelter Island.  Matt Priebe finished second place and was unlucky to miss out on first place.  Jack Glenn finished eleventh and although Justin Smith and Bennett Kudder sailed well all day, they just missed out on qualifying spots.  Throughout the week, we worked on upwind sailing and starts.  In the latter half of the week, the sailors were lucky to get the opportunity to sail some RS Fevas with the 420 sailors.

Happy Friday from the Junior Club!

Week 5 Wrap-Up

Refreshingly solid breeze made week 5 at the Junior Club very busy and full of some awesome learning experiences.  Each class spent hours on the water learning each day and, when the wind died on Friday afternoon, the entire Junior Club had a pretty great time cracking open a Dora the Explorer piñata and exploring some nearby beaches.  For a more detailed review of what each class learned this week, see below.

Beginner Opti Class

This week was a successful week for the beginner class!  By Tuesday, each sailor made the jump from sailing with a partner to sailing alone.  As their coach, I am very excited to see how greatly each person has improved in the time that they have been at SCJYC.  We managed to sail each day and, with the exception of Monday, we were on the water all day.  The kids are still struggling with upwind sailing and we are working very hard to help them make that next step in their sailing careers.  Overall, this week was filled with lots of fun, laughter, and learning.

Intermediate Opti Class

This week the intermediate group worked on upwind boat speed, boat handling, and racing.  With great wind conditions, we were able to get a lot done!  All sailors learned to roll tack this week and also to sail without a rudder.  All sailors were able to start properly and sail around the course quickly during our practice races.  With hard work and dedication, all the intermediates have bright sailing futures ahead!  Keep up the great work!

Opti Race Team

By and large, the wind was better than usual this week for Seawanhaka, which meant we got plenty of practice in preparation for the Thursday regatta.  On Wednesday, we raced the WaterFront Center.  This was a huge benefit because the small size of the group means we don’t get enough practice with a busy start line.  The regatta had fantastic wind and we got in six solid races.  Overall, the group performed very well and we now have five sailors qualified for Champs, with one qualifying event to go.  Next week, we are going to start by addressing the issues that arose during the regatta - namely starts, tacking, and leeward mark roundings.

Club 420/Pixel Class

This week the 420/Pixel class continued preparations for the Beach Point Overnight with help from John Mooney.  Mr. Mooney came three times this week to teach some of the older kids the basics of navigation that they will need to know for the navigation test and the race.  Our Wednesday night race went very well, with the exception of sailing to the wrong mark (whoops!).  We did manage to catch a few boats before the finish, but the damage was already done.  Despite the Bam's best efforts, we still managed to have a good time.  We ended the week with Fiesta Friday, during which everyone had a great time!

Laser Class

This week, the sailors competed in the Cedar Point regatta.  All sailors sailed well and have notably improved, even since Larchmont Race Week.  For the second half of the week, our sailors were taking navigation classes in the morning with Mr. Mooney in preparation for the navigation test for the keelboat program.  Mr. Mooney provided a very comprehensive education for the sailors and we were lucky to have him in for the morning sessions.  In the afternoons, we worked on boat handling, mark roundings, and points of sailing.  Next week is Shelter Island, which is the final qualifying event for the JSA Champs.

Success at the Waldo Cup

Congratulations to Elisia Gallo and Hannah Meyer for bringing home 3rd and 4th places in the white fleet!  

Fiesta Day on Friday, July 25

Happy Friday from the Junior Club!

Week 4 Wrap-Up

After using up our good weather luck in the first weeks of the program, the fourth week here saw a lot of flat water.  The kids were able to get some time on the water, but we also had to get creative with on-land activities.  Early in the week, when our Laser and 420 sailors were racing at Larchmont YC, our Opti sailors worked diligently on naming parts of the boat and sail.  We also had time for some kayak rides, watching a documentary on disabled sailing, and field trips to the Sand Pit and Bonanza.  For a more detailed review of what each class learned this week, see below.

Beginner Opti Class

This week started off slowly with three days of not-so-wonderful weather.  Fortunately, the weather gods made it possible to take the kids out sailing in the mornings.  We worked on understanding sail trim and, later on in the week, capsizing.  Thursday was a scorcher – very hot with no wind, but we worked on learning the various parts of an Opti as well as had some fun adventuring.  We ended the week on a great note.  Today, we sailed all morning, took a field trip to Bonanza’s, and ended the day with a tour of Cold Spring Harbor (which the kids loved).  Fingers crossed for better weather and wind next week!

Intermediate Opti Class

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with us this week, but we still managed to have some fun and learning!  Both Monday and Tuesday we were not able to get out on the water much, but we did many things inside the classroom.  All intermediate sailors got the opportunity to watch a disabled sailing video, where sailors surpass all odds by getting out on the water despite their handicaps.  The kids leaned that with both hard work and effort, anything is possible.  Towards the end of the week, we had an extremely light northerly breeze.  All intermediates made the best of the conditions by practicing with the Race Team and sailing 420s as well.  For those who are not returning, I hope you have a great summer and come back next year!

Opti Race Team

The weather was not on our side this week.  We got out three of the four mornings for practice before the wind died in the afternoon, or a thunderstorm arrived.  Without wind, we occupied ourselves by doing race prep and advanced rigging, combined with fun activities, such as visiting Clay Mountain and kayaking.  The regatta, despite the almost complete lack of wind, had three full races.  Three of the five sailors got podium finishes, and another was just one place out of qualifying for Champs.  Well done to the entire group!

Club 420/Pixel Class

This week, the 420 team consisting of Gabi Schmitz, Jane Hanley, Bella Charon, Jake Scheblein, Matt Logue and Jack DeNatale traveled to the Larchmont Junior Race Week.  Larchmont was a very light regatta and very stormy, but we had a fun time and saw definite improvement from race to race.  We ended up only getting in three races in three days due to

the light wind and storms.  Congratulations to Matt Logue and Jack DeNatale who Qualified for the JSA Champs.  The main reason that we went to Larchmont was the dance on Tuesday night, and was a great time.  The kids got dressed up and danced the night away to a live band.  Thursday was a light day full of good times for the kids.  On Friday we went back to Larchmont for the Jr. Safety at Sea Seminar where we practiced our keelboat sailing with the intent of preparing for the Beach Point Overnight.

Laser Class

This week, the Laser full Laser class competed in Larchmont Junior Race Week.  It was a successful regatta for Seawanhaka, with all sailors finishing in the top half.  Matt Priebe finished the regatta in 4^th and Justin Smith competed for the first time in a Laser.  Well done to all sailors!  Next up is Cedar Point.

Ice Cream Cup at Centerport YC

Some seriously big spoons (and smiles) after a successful day of racing.  Congratulations to all of our sailors!

 Hannah and Elisia crossing the finish line in 1st and 2nd places in the white fleet!

Wishing the best of luck to our awesome team of Opti sailors at CYC today!

Left to right: Coach Jamie, Elisia Gallo, Vinnie Marchand, Allen Underwood, Hannah Meyer, Erica Sheblein

Luau Day on Friday, July 18

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The SCJYC crew all dressed up for the Larchmont dance on Tuesday night.

Congratulations to Matt Priebe for getting fourth in the Radial class!  

(Next step:  work on holding the trophy right-side-up...)

Unexpected Visitors

 A family of swans swung by the beach today while we were waiting for the wind to fill

Happy (Belated) Friday from the Junior Club!

Week 3 Wrap-Up

The third week at the Junior Club finally saw some serious action!  The racing classes have gotten into the full swing of regatta mode, with both team racing and fleet racing.  The sailors who stayed at home got into the competitive spirit also.  Friday was Olympic Day and was full of a variety of fun competitions all day.  For a more detailed review of what each class learned this week, see below.

Beginner Opti Class

This week was a good mixture of fun and learning for the beginners.  On Monday, the kids struggled with understanding tacking/gybing and maneuvering safely on a tow line.  We did a few drills on the coach boat and made wind sticks to help them conceptualize wind direction and basic points of sail.  We worked to reinforce the things they learned each day with new games or activities and by Thursday, the kids were able to sail out of the mooring field on their own and sail all the way to the sand pit.  I was exceedingly impressed by their improvement throughout the week and look forward to what next week has in store!

Intermediate Opti Class

This week we experienced an array of wind conditions ranging from extremely windy weather at the beginning of the week, to absolutely no breeze on Friday afternoon.  With gusts of over 20 knots on Monday afternoon, we decided it would be best for the intermediate group to watch the advanced Optimists sail in the breezy conditions.  Sailors learned important techniques such as bailing while sailing upwind, pumping downwind on the waves, proper sail trim, good use of telltales, and how to trim the mainsheet with two hands.  It was great to see all the sailors try these new skills later in the week when we had a match racing competition one afternoon.  Later in the week, sailors also got a chance to go out in a Club 420 on a light air day.  Everyone really enjoyed the sail and expressed a keen interest in learning how to trapeze in the future!  Moving into the next few weeks, we will be focusing on perfecting boat-handling as well as upwind sailing.

Opti Race Team

Our first two days were occupied by serious training for the regatta; we focused on speed and starts.  The Shelter Island regatta on Wednesday went well, for the most part, with SCJYC getting a first and a third in different fleets.  Thursday and Friday were extremely light winds, so we spent the time in the Sonars, visited the creek, and did the Olympic Games.  We also had a theory session going over the issues that arose during the regatta.

Club 420/Pixel Class

This week the 420s focused hard on getting prepared for Larchmont Race Week.  Early in the week, we worked on starts and shorts races.  We had another windy week and got in plenty of breezy practice.  In the slightly less cooperative wind conditions at the end of the week, we washed the boats and got them ready to go to Larchmont.

Laser Class

This week began at SUNY Maritime College.  Two of our Laser sailors and two 420 sailors joined up with two others from The WaterFront Center to compete in the McIntyre Team Race Clinegatta.  It took place from Monday through Wednesday.  There were clinics each day, followed by racing.  Brian Clancy ran the event and provided key lectures on team racing and how to sail fast.  Unfortunately, the Seawanhaka/WFC team didn’t finish so well, but they took away a lot of experience and gained knowledge.  On Thursday, all four Laser sailors competed in the Western Districts that were hosted by Sea Cliff Yacht Club.  It was a well-run event, but, unluckily, it was cursed with very light winds.  However, it was a good regatta for SCJYC, as Matt Priebe won the Radial class!  Jack, Claire, and Bennett all sailed very well too and their progress since the beginning of the program has been immense.  This coming week, all the sailors are off the Larchmont Race Week and will have the opportunity to bring home more silverware!  Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable week for the Laser sailors and they look forward to competing at Larchmont next week.

Go Team!

A glimpse at some of the dedication and awesome team work that we have going on at SCJYC.

Olympic Day on Friday, July 11

Happy Fourth of July from the Junior Club!

Week 2 Wrap-Up

First session down!  Our second week of sailing saw some more great conditions – great wind, blue skies, and only a whisper of storm threats.  (We have, unfortunately, had to cancel this year’s Junior-Senior Challenge because of Hurricane Arthur’s predicted track.)  The classes have all progressed impressively quickly and the young sailors are begging for more time on the water!  We hope you all have a great holiday weekend and look forward to seeing many familiar faces next session.  For a more detailed review of what each class learned this week, see below.

Beginner Opti Class

The beginners made lots of headway this week.  Monday started off a bit slow with the enthusiastic sailors jumping in for the swim test.  The sailors successfully learned to tie both the 8 knot and the square knot, rig and de-rig almost seamlessly, and sail nicely on a reach.  The group struggled in the heavy wind, but we are confident that by the end of the summer, they’ll be able to tackle any conditions that Mother Nature throws their way.  This week was filled with copious laughs, healthy competitive spirit, and lots of fun.  We are looking forward to having the crazy bunch of sailors next week!

Intermediate Opti Class

In the intermediate class, we worked on establishing the base of the Optimist pyramid, which starts with boat handling, then boat speed, and at the very top, tactics.  Monday through Wednesday we focused on boat handling, placing the most emphasis on good tacks and gybes.  We also incorporated several aspects of boat speed by focusing on proper sail trim and how to read telltales while sailing upwind.  On Wednesday, it was too windy for the intermediates to sail, so we had an instructor race that was a lot of fun!  On Thursday, the intermediates joined the racers for some rabbit starts and races.  It was great to see that all the intermediates were able to start and sail around the race course!

Opti Race Team

At the start of the week, we concerned ourselves mainly with upwind and downwind boat speed, with a focus on mainsheet trimming and boat trim.  Initially, the group struggled with the heavy winds mid-week, but the longer we stayed out, the more competent we became.  KB and I (Jamie) hopped into some Optis and raced the kids to show them how the old breed race.  The final day, we had a fun morning swimming due to a lack of wind.  In the afternoon, we got rolling starts and races going for a solid three hours.  Roll tacks, hiking, and recognizing start line bias were introduced this week.

Club 420/Pixel Class

This week the 420s got some more work in trapeze conditions.  We were blown out on multiple days, but the kids had some fun in the big breeze.  Later on in the week, we joined up with the Laser class and practiced for the McIntyre Team Race.  On Wednesday and Thursday, we met up with The WaterFront Center, who will be racing with us next week.  Good luck to Frank, Jack, Bennett, and Justin!

Laser Class

This week, our Laser sailors were practicing in 420s because they are competing in the McIntyre Team Race next week.  They joined up with the 420 class at the start of the week and practiced team racing starts.  Towards the second half of the week, we worked on boat handling and tactics.  We joined up with a 420 from The WaterFront Center, who is competing with Seawanhaka next week.  We wish Jack, Bennett, Frank, and Justin the best of luck at the McIntyre.