Opti Sailors- Mast Clip

All Opti Sailors should have a mast-clip for their boat. The mast clips can be purchased at Sturgis Boat Works. They will keep the mast in place when the kids capsize and prevent hundreds of dollars of fiberglass damage. We promise you this is a GREAT investment!

Former WDYC instructor Ali Love passed along a great article from the US Sailing blog written by Clinical and Sport Psychologist Jessica Mohler. Sailing parents, please read it when you have a minute!

http://ussailing.blogspot.com/2012/06/preparing-for-shifts-in-breeze-building.html

The sun is shining and so our the sailors!

What a wild week it has been with weather! The kids were excited to be on the water today with no threat of storm or heavy wind.

Recap on WDYC Sailing Week 1:

• Beginner Opti classes worked on parts of the boat and learned that the right side of the boat is the starboard and the left side is the port side. They went out sailing and played follow the leader to practice their steering and tacking.
• Intermediate Opti worked on rigging/de-rigging and learned the importance of being responsible for their new boats. They also practiced tiller switches on land. Each sailor went out sailing off the dock with an instructor to help them steer through the mooring field.
• Beginner 420 went out for their first sail on Wednesday. Instructors Chris and Mike did demonstrations off of the dock to show them how to move about in the 420. Each student had the opportunity to sail with an instructor.
• The Intermediate 420 class went out to the ocean on Thursday! They worked on keeping control in heavy wind by using the mainsheet to adjust their sail. They also learned what the responsibility of the crew/skipper is while out on the water.
• The Cruising class sailed around Rock Island on Thursday. They worked on downwind sailing and weight placement in the boat.
• The 420 Race Teams worked on heavy wind wire to wire tacks as well as roll gybes and mark roundings.
• The Opti Race Teams worked on triangle courses and upwind sailing in heavy breeze. They also worked on weight placement in the boat.

Race Team Parent Meetings

The Opti Race A/B team parent meeting is on Monday, July 2nd at 12:45 PM


The 420 Race A/B team parent meeting is on Monday, July 2nd at 1:15 PM


See you then!!

Theme Days 2012

July 4th and July 5th	Patriotic Day (Wear Red, White and Blue)
July 12th and July 13th	Sport’s Day (Wear your favorite team’s jersey/shirt/hat)
July 19th and July 20th	Hawaiian Day (Wear grass skirts, leis, flowers)
July 26th and July 27th	Christmas in July! (Wear Santa hats and red/green)
August 2nd and 3rd	Neon Days (Wear bright yellow, pink, green, tie-die)
August 9th and 10th	Pirate Days (Wear bandanas, beards and gold earrings)
August 16th and 17th	Nautical Prep Day (Wear sailors hats and polos)

Newest WDYC Sailing Song

The Intro to Race Team and Opti Race Team's combined their talent this afternoon to write a sailing song based on "Call Me Maybe"

Here's My Sail Number, Protest Me Maybe
(Lyrics)

I crossed the line on port
No way I could abort
I looked at you as I fouled
Because your in my way.

I trade my soul for a wish
Pennies and dimes for some WIND
I wasn't looking for this
But now your in my way.

Your stare was holding
Sail was luffing, said I was bluffing
Hot day wind was blowing
Where you think your going, sailor

Hey, I just hit you and this is crazy
Here's my sail number, protest me maybe.
It's hard to sail right, with you crazies
Here's my sail number, protest me maybe.

And all the other sailors try to beat me,
Here's my sail number, protest me maybe.

Storms

As the race teams and intro to race classes left the dock this afternoon, the sun was shining. Within an hour, this crazy storm cloud rolled in and they were summoned back to the dock. As they watched the thunder and lightning from inside the club, they kept busy playing sailing jeopardy and creating their own sailing song. Please enjoy the song posted above!

Pictures from Day 2!

WANTED!

Calling all empty laundry detergent/handle drink jugs! In the sailing world we use them as bailers. We would love you to save them and send them into the sailing office. We will put them to good use! Thank you in advance.

Rain, Rain Won't Get In the Way!

The first day of sailing brought cold rainy weather but that it did not stop our sailors from smiling! They were excited to return to WDYC for their first day back. Before the storms rolled in this morning, the beginner opti class began by playing the name game and learning about the parts of the boat. They even sailed two of our club prams right off of the dock (on their first day!) The intermediate opti sailors learned how to rig their opti's and practiced sailing out and back to the dock. The wind was perfect for their docking! The beginner 420 class also learned how to rig and were split into two teams for rigging races. They were very impressive with how quick and efficient they were working to rig the boats. They were also tied up in a "human-knot" before the end of class for team building. The intermediate class went out in five boats and practiced getting their feel for being back in the boats. 

This afternoon the 420 and Opti race teams were questionable about going out on the water because of the radar. The opti coaches began class by working on adjusting sails. Thankfully when they finished the storm clouds had passed and the kids geared up and went out sailing in the pouring rain. They were hiking hard as they were sailing through the river. It was great to see them back on the water! The 420 teams reviewed rigging their spinnakers and practiced figure eight drills in the river. They were in tight space and really had to work on their boat handling skills. We are hoping for clear skies so they can head out to the ocean tomorrow for races! The Sea-Squirts learned about parts of the boat and took a ride out while learning about safety on boats. 

The weather didn't rain on our parade today! We wouldn't let it get in the way!

Volunteers Wanted!

The WDYC is hosting the Invitational on Monday, July 9th. In years past we have had over 150 sailors come to the club for this event! We are lucky that Greg and Karen Galanis have generously donated their time to run the invite this year. This event needs your help! If you can donate your time, please find the yellow poster board in the JYC and sign up to volunteer. Thank you in advance.

Meet the Instructors!

Ryan Daly is returning to WDYC as the 420 Race Coach for the second season. He is a junior at Connecticut College where he majors in Bio-Chemistry. He began sailing opti's at WDYC when he was young and moved up to the 420 Race Team where he placed at the top of Southern Mass sailing in his final year of junior sailing. Ryan is on the Connecticut College sailing team and spends most of the spring traveling and racing in college regattas. In addition to sailing, Ryan enjoys playing golf, tennis and soccer. He is looking forward to another great summer at WDYC!

MaryKate Cervin is a new face on our staff this year. She grew up sailing opti's at WDYC ten years ago. She then went to Hyannis YC where she sailed and raced on the 420 race team. MaryKate also raced on the Barnstable HS sailing team for four years. MaryKate will be a sophomore at Fordham in the fall where she is majoring in English. MaryKate will be coaching the Opti Race Team and we are excited to welcome her aboard!

Laura Adams is returning as a senior instructor at WDYC. She grew up sailing at West Dennis and was a member of the Harwich HS sailing team. Laura will be a sophomore at UMASS Amherst in the Isenberg School of Management in the fall where she majors in accounting. Laura participates in the Finance Society, Business Club and Intramural Softball while at UMASS. She wilginl be teaching Beginner Opti and Intro to Race 420 this summer.

Michael Sweeney is returning to WDYC as a senior instructor. He will be a sophomore at Connecticut College in the fall. Mike is a member of the sailing team and skiing team at Conn. He also works as a student advisor leader where he mentors incoming freshman during orientaiton. Mike is a familiar face at WDYC because he grew up sailing opti's and 420's at the club. Mike will be teaching Cruising and Beginner 420 this summer.

Kelsey Goggin is returning to WDYC as a senior instructor. She just finished her freshman year at Hobart and William Smith where she chose to major in Economics. Kelsey has taken on a leadership role as a mentor to incoming Hobart students. Kelsey will be participating in the Pan Mass CHallenge for the second time this summer. She is also a WDYC sailing veteran as she sailed 420's and opti's here for many years. Kelsey will be teaching Intermediate 420 and Intro to Race Opti

Lauren Galanis is returning to WDYC as a senior instructor. Lauren just completed her sophomore year at Florida State University and is excited to be back teaching sailing at WDYC. Lauren majors in Biology at FSU and participates in a variety of community service programs through the school. We look forward to welcoming Lauren back as this is her 12th year here teaching Beginner Opti and Sea-Squirts.

Marissa Sullivan is returning to WDYC after completing her sophomore year at Loyola University. Marissa has sailed opti's and 420's at WDYC since she was seven years old. At Loyola, Marissa is a member of the club lacrosse team and also participates in the annual Relay for Life. She is exciting to be teaching 420's this summer.

Chris Warner is returning to WDYC after completing his freshman year at Boston College. Chris joined the BC crew team this year where he loved waking up at 5 a.m. for practice every day. Chris is majoring in Political Science. Chris has sailed at WDYC since he was five years old. He looks forward to teaching Beginner 420 and 420 Race B this summer.

Orientation Recap

1. Welcome and Introduction to the Staff

2. What should my child bring to sailing?

a. Closed-toe shoes (NO FLIP FLOPS!)

b. Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses

c. Swimsuit, shorts, t-shirt

d. Change of clothes and towel

e. Water bottle, snack

f. Medications & EpiPen

 

3. Safety

1. Parents: please have your cell phone on during class!
2. Instructors: US Sailing Level 1 & CPR/First Aid
3. VHF Radio (on land & on boats)
4. No running/swimming on the docks
5. Lifejacket must have a whistle
6. Foot Protection (old sneakers, water shoes)
7. Injury (communication)
8. Swim Test (right off the dock, life jacket on)
9. Capsizing (they will get wet every class J)
10. Weather (we will host class on rainy days)

4. Request from Instructors
1. Please DO NOT rig your child’s boat!
2. No parent coaching during class or at regattas
3. Pick up/drop off times (checking in and out)
4. Contact the Program Director

5. How you can help
1. Read the Sailing Blog (www.wdycsailing.blogspot.com)
2. Join Southern Mass Sailing email list: SMSA@topica.com
3. Arrive ON TIME with appropriate gear
4. Volunteer with Sailing Committee: Danielle McKenna
5. Class time/Bailer donations
6. Class will be held on Wednesday, July 4^th

6. Race Parents
1. Race Team meetings/deadlines
2. Help tow trailer
3. Donations (water, snacks)
4. Proper attire (spray top, pants, rash guards, sailing gloves)
5. No drop off at regattas
6. 420 Parent Mentors: Mrs. Warner, Mrs. Seferian
7. Opti Parent Mentor: Lisa Goggin

7. WDYC Invitational- July 9^th (NO CLASSES)
1. Volunteers contact Karen Galanis

WDYC Staff!

The WDYC instructors have been hard at work sanding, painting and waxing the boats for the start of sailing on Monday, June 25th! The beautiful weather has helped keep us ahead of schedule. The boats will be launched into the water on Thursday and Friday. We are one step closer to sailing on Monday!

Sailing Orientation

Welcome Back!

This Saturday we will host Sailing Orientation at 10:00 a.m at WDYC. All parents are encouraged to attend. We are also hosting a mandatory opti rigging clinic for all opti sailors intermediate-race team featuring Matt Wake from Sturgis Boat Works. If you cannot attend the orientation, minutes will be posted on the blog on Saturday.

Happy Sailing!

Meghan