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St. Francis Yacht Club is Hiring for Summer 2019!!

April 1, 2019 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

St. Francis Yacht Club, located in beautiful San Francisco California is seeking several talented and hardworking sailing instructors/counselors for our summer season, June 18- August 17, 2018. The Club currently supports a fleet of RS Tera, Lasers, Bytes, FJs, and C420s. For more information on this position, and to apply, please visit the job ad HERE

St. Francis Yacht Club was founded in 1927 by a group of 21 San Francisco Yachtsman with a vision of a club in the City. Ground was broken for the clubhouse that year, and events were held on members yachts until the club was formally opened in 1928. In 1959, the Club acquired its Tinsley Island Station, located on the Sacramento Delta. Tinsley offers members a warm boating destination to escape the traditional summer fog on the Bay. In 2002, the membership celebrated its 75th anniversary of activity on San Francisco Bay and around the world.
The yachting interests of our 2300-plus members include racing, cruising, sailboarding, kiteboarding, water-skiing and more. Our sailors have challenged and defended for the America’s Cup, brought home Olympic medals, and won prestigious races such as the Whitbread, Transpac and Pacific Cup. Whether cruising in the Mexican Sea of Cortez or racing in the Olympics, a St. Francis Yacht Club burgee is apt to be seen.
St. Francis Yacht Club is a year-round host of over 40 regattas on San Francisco Bay, including the annual Big Boat Series each September. The Club was host to the 2000 US Olympic Sailing Trials, and continues to host World and National Championships. StFYC is also dedicated to the development of young corinthian sailors. Our junior sailing team (ages 10 to 23) races locally and internationally in Optimists, Lasers, Radial Lasers, 29ers, 420’s and Flying Juniors. Each year, our Club hosts the Laser Sailing Symposium, with invitations to the world’s most competitive Laser sailors.
Our San Francisco clubhouse provides a boating and social venue for our members and their guests. It features large deep-water guest docks, outstanding dining and incredible vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. This is the premier location to view yacht racing on the renowned City Front. The Club’s annual calendar includes a wide variety of social events from theme parties, and winemaker dinners, to cruises both locally and far away.

Team Training: Circuit Workout

March 29, 2019 by Rachel Goetting Leave a Comment

Coaches this one is for you! With college and high school sailing in full swing, we thought we would focus on the team aspect of training. Looking for a new workout for your team this one is for you. Team training is a great way to bring together your team and get them stronger for better success on the water. Check out our previous article on Team Training, learn about the benefits, how to incorporate it, and a fun team workout.

Circuit training is a great way to train with your team. How circuit training works is you have different stations, and you have to complete the exercises for that station and then with no rest go to the next station. For our circuit training, we made it timed, so you move on to the next station when the time is up. The great thing about our workout is it can be done anywhere anytime no equipment needed. Maybe its too windy or too light for sailing, use this workout to get your team feeling the burn.

This workout consists of four different stations. You can split the group in even numbers throughout the stations. Have the groups do each circuit for 2 minutes then switch to the next station, there is no rest in between stations. Your rest will come when you completed all four stations. At that time you can rest for 2 minutes, then repeat two more times for a total of three rounds. The total workout is 30 minutes. Check out the workout below and the video for all the moves. Have fun and get your team strong with this workout!

Team Training Circuit Workout

-Warm up the whole group with Dynamic Stretching (5 minutes)

Station One:

10 Squats
20 Split Lunges
10 Squat Jumps

Station Two:

10 Push Ups
20 Up Down Planks
10 Tricep Dips

Station Three:

20 Russian Twists
15 In and Outs
20 Plank Shoulder Taps

Station Four:

15 Burpees
20 Mountain Climbers
20 Skaters

-Cool down the group with foam rolling and static stretching (5-10 minutes)

For more information on fitness and nutrition for sailing contact [email protected]. Also check out Sailorcise on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily tips on fitness, nutrition, and sailing.

Sail Park City is Hiring!

March 29, 2019 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

We are promoting the sport of sailing to adults and children in the greater Park City community. We offer racing, summer sailing camps, adult sailing lessons, as well as partner with other local organizations to get as many people out sailing!We’re looking for a bunch of staff. Join us this summer for a great time in the mountain west. We are open to hiring a few folks from the same university/team together for a summer to remember! To learn more details about our open positions and to apply please see our job ad HERE!

When the town of Park City is mentioned it brings to mind the 2002 Olympic Games, 3 world class ski resorts and an eclectic funky community. Just outside of the town and under the slopes of the Deer Valley ski resort the State of Utah constructed the Jordanelle Reservoir within a State Park. This created a 6 square mile body of water at 6200’ in elevation. South east of the reservoir is Provo Canyon and the city of Provo. The summer heat in the valley creates a reliable thermal breeze and the combination has become the ideal setting for Park City Sailing.

It turned out that Park City is the home of a large number of sailing refuges who relocated to live a unique mountain town lifestyle. With the creation of the Jordanelle the pieces began to fall into place during the summer of 2008. The rest is history.

Spring 2018 – PCSA receives the Robie Pierce Award for Outstanding Adaptive Programing 2017 from the U.S. Sailing Association.
Summer of 2017 – Merit 25 and O’Day 19 are donated to the Park City Sailing fleet.
Summer of 2016 – over 1500 participants including 820 in Out Reach and 390 in our Junior program. 90 sailing lessons given and 48 Access members.
Summer of 2016 – our fleet expands to 42 boats with 4 Rhodes 19’s in the Access program and 4 Mercury 4 stroke motors are purchased.
Summer 2015 – 14 sets of Optimist sails and 2 sets of J/22 sails are donated.
Summer 2015 – 3 additional Boston Whalers are acquired to the continued expansion of our growing organization.
Summer 2015 – 2 additional Rhodes 19’s are purchased to support the growth of the club.
Winter 2014 – additional Optimists are purchased to to bring the fleet to 14.
Summer 2014 – over 350 participants from the National Ability Center sail with us in adaptive and therapeutic programs.
Summer 2013 – a Rhodes 19 is donated to enhance the family sailing program.
Spring 2013 – 2 additional Club 420’s to increase the fleet to 6 boats.
Spring 2013 – a donation of 8 Elliot 6m creates a club fleet race program.
Winter 2012 – PCSA acquires a second J/22 and a 17’ Boston Whaler Montauk.
Summer 2012 – 25 families participate in the inaugural J/22 charter program.
Spring 2012 – 4 Club 420 sailboats are acquired to start an advanced racing program.
Fall 2011 – PCSA hosts the Laser No Coast Championships that was covered by Sailing World Magazine.
Summer 2011 – 130 children attend the Junior sailing program.
Summer 2011 – Laser racing averages 20 boats nightly.
Summer 2011 – 17 families join the J/22 Charter program.
Spring 2011 PCSA conducts a 3 day in depth Laser racing seminar.
Spring of 2011 – PCSA buys a J/22 and plans are made to create an Adult Sailing and Charter program.
September 2010 – PCSA hosts the Laser District 23 Championship with 30 boats attending.
Summer 2010 – 65 children attend the summer program.
Summer 2010 – The Junior program begins with a head instructor, 3 sailing instructors each certified by US Sailing.
Summer 2010 – The fleet hosts a series of sailing seminars.
Summer 2010 – Laser Summer Series averages 18 boats.
Spring 2010 – PCSA acquires a 13’ Boston Whaler and 6 Optimist dinghies.
Spring 2010 – PCSA’s Buster Pike receives the Outstanding Director of a New Program Award from PCSA’s Geoff Hurwitch receives the One-Design Leadership Award from the U.S. Sailing Association, Community Sailing Council.
Winter 2010 – PCSA begins planning a Junior Summer Sailing Program.
September 2009 – PCSA hosts the sanctioned Laser No Coast Championship with 31 competitors.
Late Summer 2009 – a Family Sailing Demo weekend is conducted to introduce junior sailing to the community.
Midsummer 2009 – Tuesday night racing attendance averages 15 – 18 boats.
Summer 2009 – a formal Tuesday night Laser racing series begins with sailors who have competed in 505, J/22, J/24, Etchells and Snipe World’s as well as newcomers to the sport.

The Park City Sailing Association’s fleet has grown each season. From a borrowed power boat in the summer of 2008, the membership has worked tirelessly to raise funds as well as organize donations to develop a fleet that permits us to expand to meet the wide needs of our community.

J/22 – 2 SAILBOATS

In the summer of 2011 we acquired our first J/22 keelboat which permitted us to establish both our Boat Access Program and our Adult Sailing Program. Due to the popularity of both programs we acquired our second J/22 keelboat for the 2012 season. The J/22’s also enable us to host special day and week-long sailing camps for other summer youth programs in our community. For 2015, the J’s were given new sails through a donation of one of the PC Sailing families.

RHODES 19 – 4 SAILBOATS

Through the generosity of one of our families, PCSA received a donation of a Rhodes 19. This sturdy 19 footer became a popular family boat as she is stable and very comfortable. She also sits on a mooring to keep her user friendly for intermediate sailors. For 2016 we have expanded our Rhodes fleet to 4 boats. They are undergoing an extensive renovation and each of the boats will be rigged identically (eventually) with the latest fittings.

ELLIOT 6M – 8 SAILBOATS

During the spring of 2013 PCSA received a donation of a fleet of 8 Elliot 6 Meter boats. The donor was the Sailing Educational Association of Sheboygan (SEAS). The Elliots are identical to the boats used during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. So far the fleet has been used to support Wounded Warrior programs as well as the Thursday Night Keel Boat Racing Series.

OPTIMIST DINGHIES – 14 SAILBOATS

Our Junior Sailing Program is supported by our 14 club owned Optimist sailing prams. The “Opti” was selected by our Board due to its ideal trainer characteristics as well as the fact that in any given year there are over 150,000 Optis being sailed in over 100 countries. In addition to our club owned boats, there are several privately owned Optis in our program. For 2015 all of the club owned boats received new sails through a donation from one of our families.

CLUB 420 – 6 SAILBOATS

For the 2012 season we acquired four Club 420 sailboats. These 14 foot two person boats are ideal for teenagers and they are one of the most frequently raced boats on the inter-collegiate circuit. Our 420’s are rigged with a trapeze and spinnakers that provide both a physical and advanced experience for the intermediate young sailor. In 2014 we acquired 2 more Club 420’s to support our expanding program with groups such as the University of Utah and the Park City High School Sailing Club.

LASER SAILING – 50+ PERSONAL & CLUB-OWNED SAILBOATS

Our adult sailing members privately own 42+ Laser Class Olympic sailing dinghies. The majority of these boats are stored in our secured facility on either racks or owner provided dollies. The spars and sails for the Lasers are stored in our 40’ cargo container, which is 100 yards from our paved launching ramp. Sail PC also owns 5 lasers that can be leased for Tuesday night racing.

PARK CITY SAILING 17′ BOSTON WHALER & OTHER MOTORBOATS

Our primary race committee and safety boat is a Montauk 17 ‘Boston Whaler. Complementing it are our smaller power boats which are three 13’ Boston Whalers and a 11′ Boston Whaler. These fast and unsinkable boats support all of our programs.

MERIT 25 & O’DAY 19

At the end of the 2017 season we accepted the donation of a Merit 25 and an O’Day 19. Plans are underway for a learn-to-cruise, night sailing, GPS navigation and over night sailing programs on the Merit 25. The O’Day 19 sees exclusive use with the Jr. Program.

ICSA Spring Season News Update #4

March 27, 2019 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

Yale, Charleston, HWS, Navy and Brown take regatta wins as the team race season, coed and women’s, heats up!

March 25, 2019, Written by Chris Klevan, Photos by Colin Grey Voight, Rob Migliaccio and Tyler Colvin

Brown University won the Duplin Women’s Team Race at Tufts University in Larks on Mystic Lake. Like most New England regattas, the Duplin was a one day event. Brown went 10-0 after a full 8-team round robin and a top-4 round robin. Brown likely would have been most people’s betting favorite as their top team race team features Hannah Steadman and Ragna Agerup- two of the best women’s sailors in the nation. However, Brown’s undefeated effort showed their depth as it featured none of the aforementioned women.

Brown sailed Rachel Foster ‘20, Sophie Hibben ‘19 and Olivia Belda ‘22 on the tiller with Maxine De Havenon ‘19, Emma Montgomery ‘22, Abigayle Konys ‘19 and Annabelle Hutchinson ‘21 in the front.

“The 40th annual Duplin Trophy honors former Tufts Sailing Master Joseph R. Duplin,” said Tufts Head Coach Ken Legler. “A fleet racing regatta for the first 30 years, the Duplin became a team racing regatta for women about ten years ago, the first of its kind. The Duplin is not meant to be a championship of any sort; as such there are no umpires. Protests were handled by three person panels comprised of one coach and two undergrad competitors. Hot soup was provided as a throwback to the former NEWISA which provided a modest lunch at all New England Women’s regattas.”

“The timing of the Duplin is best for all the very fast women’s sailors who are asked to team race in practice against their “A” teams during spring break. The low-key but high level sailing at the Duplin is their reward,” finished Coach Legler who is also a terrific photographer and keeper of sailing history.

Boston College finished second at 7-3 and Boston University finished 3rd at 5-5, winning a tiebreaker over University of South Florida.

The Duplin was not the only Women’s Team Race last weekend. The Seahawk Women’s Team Race was taken by Navy and a 10-5 record, besting University of Pennsylvania who finished with a 9-6 record.

Navy started slow, finishing the first round robin with a 2-3 record. They turned it on thereafter as they finished the regatta only dropping two races in the final 10 sailed.

Navy sailed Olivia de Olazarra ‘22, Jessica McJones ‘20 and Brittany Slook ‘20 with Madeline Pruzan ‘21, Kelly Milliken ‘21 and Fiona Lobon ‘22 as crews.

Yale won the Friis Trophy, hosted by Roger Williams University, the premier regatta in New England last weekend. “The Friis started off with really shifty conditions with a lot of fleet inversions,” said Yale Head Coach Zack Leonard. “No race was over until the finish! As the day wore on, the sailing got much better and the breeze solidified.”

The regatta was shortened due to big breeze and cold water temps on Saturday, limiting the regatta to a one day, one round robin format. Yale started their usual group plus a coupe more crews for the wide range of conditions. Nic Baird ‘19, Nick Hernandez ‘19, Shawn Harvey ‘21, Sonia Lingos-Utley ‘21, Graceann Nicolosi ‘20, Claudia Loiacono ‘21 and Catherine Webb ‘22 were joined by stars on the women’s circuit, Catherine Mollerus ‘21 and Christine Klingler ‘20 to add depth to an already deep and talented squad.

“The racing was what you would expect for early season team racing,” said Roger William Head Coach Amanda Callahan. “There were some head scratching decisions mixed in among solid execution. Team racing can be challenging enough in stable conditions but when you add big velocity and angle changes, as well as significant current, there was a lot being thrown at the competitors this weekend and it was good to see them trying to manage so many facets of the game.”

Building upon an already impressive team race season, the Bulldogs of Yale won the tie-breaker against the home team, Roger Williams in a high stakes, but ultimately anticlimactic one race sailoff to end the event. “Yale did a great job off of the line and we were in full chase mode from the jump. Our guys battled hard to get back into the race but, as you would expect from a talented team, Yale was able to punish us for our mistakes and they came away with an impressive win in the sail-off and the overall event win.”

Though the Bulldogs’ top squad has yet to finish worst than first at a team race regatta this season, carrying a 38 win and 5 loss record so far, they did appear to be beatable at the Friis, losing twice- once decisively to Dartmouth who finished that race in a 1-2-4 combination and the event in 4th (more on that later,) and to Boston University in what looked to be a sketchy 1-3-5 finish in favor of the Terriers. Yale seems to be the most refined team in the nation but there are more than a few teams knocking on their door.

“We always have good battles with Yale, this one was no exception,” said Dartmouth Head Coach Justin Assad. “As always in NEISA, anyone can win any race, so we just try to stay level headed no matter who our opponent is, and we trust that we can beat anyone as long as we don’t beat ourselves.”

Dartmouth finished 4th after losing a sailoff with Stanford University. Both teams finished with a 6-3 record.

Assad continued to say, “We lost the tie break with Stanford – very good race, we undershot the Layline on the last beat in a 1-2, which ultimately cost us the race. After opening the regatta with three straight losses we felt pretty psyched to be playing for third.”

With two weeks to go before the Fowle Trophy, New England’s Team Race Championship and qualifier for nationals, the conference hierarchy is incredibly uncertain. Yale is the obvious favorite to come out of NEISA, but with Roger Williams, Bowdoin, Dartmouth, Boston College, Brown, Harvard, Tufts, MIT and Boston University all vying for the remained 3 qualifying berths, the NEISA Champs could be quite contentious.

After a Friis Trophy where Roger Williams looked great and Dartmouth emerged from the White Mountains of frozen New Hampshire seemingly battle-ready, all eyes look to Boston and MIT for next weekend’s Lynne Marchiando Regatta as the last showdown and indicator of what’s to come in New England.

College of Charleston won the Aaron Szambecki Team Race with a 18-3 record after two full 10 team round robins and a final four.

“The regatta is named in memory of Aaron Szambecki, ODU `96. Aaron was an Honorable Mention All-American, Team Captain, and avid team racer,” said Old Dominion Head Coach and ICSA President Mitch Brindley. “In 1997 Aaron took his own life, and with the support of the Szambecki family, we renamed the ODU Team Race in his memory.”

“The regatta is known for at least one day of big breeze, a competitive field, a solid umpire team, great hospitality, and a regatta gift,” continued Coach Brindley. “And for the Monarchs, it is on opportunity to raise awareness for suicide prevention. With awareness, suicide is preventable. All campuses of resources available to help students in need.” To learn more see: www.afsp.org; www.suicideispreventable.org

“This year we had great day of big breeze on Saturday, followed by perfect team race conditions on Sunday.”

The win at the Szambecki marks the first interconference team race win this season for Charleston as the newcomers are finding their stride alongside the incumbent Dale and Lounsbury. Charleston is trending up in a big way finishing 3rd at home at the Bob Bavier, 4th at the St. Mary’s Team Race, second at the Graham Hall before winning the Szambecki.

“Augie is one of the most talented sailors I have ever had the pleasure to coach,” said Charleston Head Coach Ward Cromwell. “He has been struggling through a knee injury this spring and probably hasn’t spent the amount of time in the boat with Katie that we would like to have had by this point of the season, but they have really good chemistry when things are clicking and can no doubt be the fastest boat in any race. We are hopeful to make good use of the coming weekend and peak when it counts.”

The Cougars mixed it up again this regatta sailing Seven Leuck ‘20 and Jack Brown ‘21 with Carter Cameron ‘19, Annabelle Carrington ‘19, Hunter Skinner ‘20 and Payton Alexander ‘19 alongside Dale ’19 and Lounsbury ‘20. This group proved more than competent with Alie Toppa ‘20 back out of the rotation. However, with Toppa in the lineup, the Cougars finished 2nd at the Graham Hall- a deeper, more competitive regatta, just behind Yale. Coach Cromwell, again seems to have all the talent needed to make a run at Charleston’s third consecutive Team Race Championship.

“Skipper’s can get to the Nationals, crews win the nationals,” continued Coach Cromwell “Our crews mean everything to our team! If one crew doesn’t buy in to what we are doing, the whole team suffers. Our crews are strong, athletic, knowledgeable and provide an awesome wind range rotation for our skippers. This will most certainly be a factor at the end of the season. Acknowledging and improving our weaknesses is always a good first step. Everyone has bought into doing what is best for the team and stepping up when they are called upon. I feel very fortunate to be coaching such a great group of kids and we are all very much looking forward to seeing how good we can get as unit over the remainder of the spring season.”

Charleston’s three losses came at the hands of Stanford in round two, Navy and George Washington in the final four after the Cougars went 9-0 in round one. Navy finished second at 16-5 while George Washington finished 3rd at 15-6.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges won the Admiral Moore Team Race sailed at SUNY Maritime College. HWS finished with a 9-1 record in the single day regatta cut short, like many regattas in the northeast, due to high winds and cold water.

HWS sailed a pretty tight group as their championship lineup is starting to emerge. Hector Guzman ‘20 and Charles Miller ‘19 on the tiller has been a staple for their success for a while now. As is the case with Maya Weber ‘20 and Lindsey Kloc ‘19. However, the emergence of Kyle Easton ‘20 and Aiden Morgan ‘21 looks to provide stability for a team now with its eyes on a Mid-Atlantic Championship.

After losing their first matchup against Fordham, HWS ended the regatta on a 5 race winning streak, including a redeeming victory over Fordham. Fordham’s success in this event earned the Rams a trip to the MAISA Championships, The Prosser Trophy.

Fordham, along with HWS, Georgetown, ODU, George Washington and Navy prequalify, leaving St. Mary’s, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania, Christopher Newport University, SUNY and KP fighting for the final 2 spots at the Team Race Challenge, just to have a shot at being one of the 4 that MAISA will send to the Laser Performance National Championship May 25-27.

“I was really happy to get the results we needed this weekend to move directly to the Prosser,” said Fordham Head Coach Johnny Norfleet. “We knew going into the weekend that we either needed to win our event or finish two places higher than St. Mary’s as they were the only team we would beat in a tiebreak. Though we didn’t win, we did enough to barely edge out a spot in the top 6 of the team race league. This means we can give our sailors a much needed weekend off and put our focus entirely on preparing for the Prosser in two weekends. Hopefully the experience from this weekend will help prepare us for the high stakes environment of the Prosser in two weekends.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the qualifying spots come down to a multi way tie and a sail off, so it may come down to who can execute best under pressure,” continued Coach Norfleet. “I really like our chances this year as I know we can beat every team in the field, but there’s no doubt we still have some weaknesses that we’ll need to clean up in the next two weeks if we want to peak at the Prosser.”

Fordham finished 8-2 with Roger Williams rounding out the top 3 at 5-and-5, winning a tie-break against University of Pennsylvania.

California Yacht Club is Hiring!

March 26, 2019 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

California Yacht Club’s year-round Junior Sailing Program has its emphasis on racing. Our program utilizes the single-handed Optimist Dinghy for our younger participants and the double-handed Club Flying Junior or spinnaker equipped Club 420 for our older teen sailors. The Program meets on weekends and attends local, regional, and national regattas throughout the year. The program emphasizes focus on personal responsibility and the principles of Corinthian yachting excellence. These skills are highly valued at high schools with sailing programs and the best Colleges and Universities.Our Junior Sailing Calendar lists all events and practices. We will also send out weekly emails to keep everyone informed on what’s going on!

We are searching for an experienced coach for a a Full Time Head Coach for the Junior Sailing Team. The CalYC Program is year round race program with a strong Opti, Laser, C420 and building 29er class. Candidates should be experienced working with all of these classes at a development and experienced race level. CalYC is looking for a candidate with high enthusiasm, great communication, logistics skills, and motivation to continue to build a great team. This position offers competitive salary and employee benefits. We also want our head coach to remain an active racer while working at CalYC. For more information and to apply, please see our job ad HERE.

The California Yacht Club is located in beautiful Marina del Rey, which is the largest manmade small craft harbor in the Western Hemisphere. CYC is one of several clubs in the marina but is one of only two clubs that offers full services to its members. The current club facility was built in 1967 having relocated from its temporary facility elsewhere in the marina. The California Yacht Club was founded in 1922 in Wilmington Harbor near San Pedro. When Marina del Rey was constructed in the early 1960’s, CYC relocated.

Today the club serves its very active and diverse membership needs by providing club programs, events and facilities that have earned the respect as being one of the leading Yacht Clubs in the country. In addition to the striking views offered from its clubhouse, the club has one of the finest boat anchorages in the marina. Only club members are allowed to rent slips at the club. Members can enjoy the use of the club’s spa and heated pool, enjoy a game of paddle tennis or relax in the Member’s Lounge. The clubhouse and offices are open Wednesday through Sunday although the docks and grounds are accessible at any time. Members can enjoy the many dining services offered in addition to the many formal and informal social events that the club is known for hosting. The heart and soul of any yacht club is its boating activities. CYC members are well known for their cruising, sailing, powerboating and rowing accomplishments.

Unsung Hero: Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center

March 25, 2019 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

For centuries the Burlington waterfront was home to a busy commercial port. The two miles of Lake Champlain shoreline were covered in factories, shipping facilities, and oil storage. Resources were transported by ship and barge out of Vermont and south to New York or north to Montreal, then out to the ocean. Once Burlington became linked by interstate highway, it no longer needed commercial port facilities.

Gradually the industrial wasteland transformed into public parks, beaches, a bike path, and a public boat ramp. However the waterfront scene is still dominated by two structures. The Moran plant is a massive brick and scaffolding structure in disrepair just north of downtown and one of the last remnants of the old industrial waterfront, symbolic of the old Burlington. Right next door is an equally eye catching, brand new, modern blue structure home to Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center (LCCSC), symbolic of the new post-industrial Burlington.

From its founding in 1994, LCCSC had no real facilities of its own. Operating out of a spartan, re-purposed Burlington Public Works garage, space was subsidized by tents and shipping containers, reinforcing the waterfront’s then-gruff image. Perseverance was finally rewarded in winter 2018, when after an ambitious fundraising campaign and city support, LCCSC relocated to a state-of-the-art carbon-neutral building.

For years LCCSC somehow provided programming well beyond their meager setup. LCCSC’s robust catalog is comparable to well known programs in larger cities like Boston or Newport. LCCSC delivers above its weight class in little Burlington, Vermont.

LCCSC has the standard programming you would expect to see at any sailing center, but takes it much further. They have summer camps for all ages and abilities, and then mix in speciality programs. Kids have access to programs combining sailing with a dozen other activities including painting, rock climbing, skating, mountain biking, museums, and STEM.

However what sets LCCSC apart is their signature programs. With names like Floating Classrooms, LeaderShip, WAVES, and First Sail, each one is likely worthy of its own article. Floating Classrooms is a unique program with the goal of putting each fourth and fifth-grader in Burlington on a sailboat at least once. This experience is paired with out of classroom learning in subjects such as ecology, physics, history, and STEM. These programs use sailing as a avenue to teach and provide life experiences larger than sailing itself. First Sail exposes participants to sailing who have previously never had the opportunity. LeaderShip uses sailing to challenge young sailors to develop life skills. LCCSC’s signature programs are really about communication, leadership, teamwork, sustainability, and go beyond sailing itself.

In addition to the signature programs, LCCSC has a robust adaptive program using a specially modified Sonar and Martin 16s. LCCSC partners with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports to remove barriers from sailing participation and make sure everyone is able to access the lake. Vermont Adaptive shares office space with LCCSC and uses their building as a summertime base for adaptive biking programs to make use of the bike path adjacent to the building.

LCCSC also serves the racer. They host the University of Vermont Sailing Team, a consistently well performing and high ranking NEISA team. They also organize and run the Northern Vermont High School Sailing Team (NVHSST). This is the only competitive high school sailing team in Vermont, made up of combined local schools, which regularly travels throughout New England to compete. In the summer season, LCCSC hosts a popular free Friday 420 racing series open to the public, and puts on racing clinics for 420s and Lasers.

LCCSC has something for everyone. Sailing happens seven days a week for six months a year, an impressive accomplishment for a city with snow on the ground the other 6 months. With rentals, private and group lessons, custom programming for larger groups, company outings, corporate retreats, racing, and lake-side yoga, there’s no reason to not “love your lake” as staff say.

As of spring 2018 LCCSC is housed in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility. The building includes two levels of indoor storage, staff offices, conference rooms, a massive outdoor function space, locker rooms, showers, equipment room, observation deck, and maintenance shop. The building is flanked by two gated boat yards and the Lake Champlain Bikeway, which circumnavigates the entire 500+ square mile lake. On the water sits the massive “Atlas” dock, a triple wide dinghy launch, a boat lift, and a dozen moorings, all protected by their floating wave attenuator. Larger boats launch at the next door public Coast Guard ramp. LCCSC fields an impressive fleet including a half dozen Sonars, twenty 420s, a dozen Lasers, Open Bics, Hartleys, a handful of Rhodes 19s, and several dozen kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.

In a city and state famous for outdoor adventure sports, LCCSC is at home and does not disappoint. They offer more than a typical yacht club and faithfully deliver on their noble motto, “Lake access and life lessons for all”. They have an active volunteer program to help keep everything running, a hardworking dedicated staff (some of whom have been there since its inception), and strong relationships with local business and other outdoors programs. In their 20+ years LCCSC has firmly embedded itself in Burlington’s outdoor culture. Now that they finally have facilities to match their ambitions, the LCCSC is set for even more growth. Despite their relative geographic isolation, LCCSC is world class by any standard.

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St. Francis Yacht Club is Hiring for Summer 2019!!

Team Training: Circuit Workout