Lake Winnipesaukee sailing school classes begin June 29

The Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association Sailing School kicks off its summer program on Monday, June 29. Over 2000 young sailors have learned to sail in the program since 1988. The LWSA is dedicated to helping children from ages 8 – 16 build character through learning to appreciate, harness and respect the elements of wind and water.

Daily challenges are confronted by the young sailors in the classroom and on the water at several levels. Young sailors are guided through the learning process by US Sailing certified instructors using course materials and teaching aids provided by U.S. Sailing and the American Red Cross. The 20 boat Sailing Fleet is made up of Optimist sailing dinghies and Vanguard 420s. The LWSA Sailing School operates out of Fay’s Boat Yard, Inc. in Gilford. Registration for the sailing school is on-going. For further information visit the LWSA website at www.LWSA.org.

An outstanding qualified staff is overseeing the 2009 sailing school. The LWSA is pleased to announce Anthony Sperazzo, a Gilford Middle School physical education teacher, health educator, and sports coach, has been hired as program director. Sperazzo has many years of teaching and administrative experience, and holds Red Cross Head Lifeguard and Red Cross Water Safety certifications. Head sailing instructor is James Unsworth, a recent graduate of Roger Williams University in Rhode Island with a double major in elementary education and psychology. Unsworth grew up sailing on Lake Champlain where he has been the head sailing coach of the Lake Champlain Yacht Club in Shelburne, Vermont since 2006. As a sailing instructor, he has taught the basics of sailing and sailboat racing to children ages 8 – 18.

The staff of instructors under Unsworth learned to sail in the LWSA Sailing School program. RJ Darabant, a US Sailing certified instructor, is returning for his second summer as an instructor. Newly certified staff instructors are Carson Quigley and Alex Stowe of Gilford.

All classes include five days of instruction, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Classes for younger sailors are offered in one-week sessions. Sailors who are 11 – 16 years of age are offered two-week sessions for greater mastery of the skills taught.

At Level One students ages 8 – 10 are introduced to sailing and safety in and around sailboats. Beginning sailors learn to rig, sail and steer the boat in a one-week course.

Level One students ages 11 -16 attend a two week full day program that allows sailors in this age range to master more skills by the end of the course than younger students at this level. The course is taught in two-person Vanguard 420 sailing dinghies.

Sailors at Level Two ages 8 – 10 have successfully completed Level One or have equivalent experience. This one-week course is taught in Optimist sailing dinghies, and builds upon the skills learned in the Level One class. These sailors learn to become more aware of wind and weather, and focus on more advanced sailing, boat handling, and safety skills, including tacking, jibing and landing a sailboat. Students' skills are constantly evaluated and at the appropriate time those who are interested are introduced to advanced concepts and/or competitive racing.

Level Two sailors from age 11 – 16 are enrolled in two-week full day program allowing them to master more skills by the end of the course. This course is taught in 2-person Vanguard 420 sailing dinghies and builds upon the skills learned in the Level One class. Students learn to become more aware of wind and weather, and focus on more advanced sailing, boat handling, and safety skills, including tacking, jibing and landing a sailboat. Students' skills are constantly evaluated and at the appropriate time those who are interested are introduced to advanced concepts and/or competitive racing.

For those students who wish to be introduced to sailboat racing or who would like to sharpen their current racing skills the LWSA offers a one-week full day racing course open to all students, ages 8-16, who have successfully completed the Level One class or have equivalent experience. This class is designed to cover all aspects of sailboat racing, and includes classroom instruction, on-the-water instruction, drills, and actual races. These closely-coached classes cover starting, buoy rounding, boat speed, tactics, strategy, and the rules of racing. More advanced students will be coached in more advanced go-fast and tactical skills. Participants will have the opportunity to compete in youth regattas elsewhere in New England.

Due to the paramount interest in youth sailboat racing opportunities the LWSA offers a Wednesday night Youth Racing Club open to any sailor who can demonstrate adequate basic boat-handling skills. Over the years, many students have found sailboat racing to be challenging, fun and exciting. The LWSA's Youth Racing Club introduces young sailors to the sport and helps the more experienced ones sharpen their skills. Activities include weekly races and clinics on Wednesday evenings, trips to regattas and the opportunity to crew on a boat in the Lake's major racing fleet. If interested in participating, or if you have questions, please contact the LWSA Sailing School at sailing-school@lwsa.org.

Student safety is of utmost importance. All students are required to have their own PFD, pass a swim test, and practice proper behavior and sportsmanship. Scholarships are available. For more information on the LWSA Sailing School, PHRF racing and one-design J80 Fleet racing visit www.LWSA.org. Major sponsors of the LWSA Sailing School include Fay’s Boat Yard, Inc. and Merrill Fay, Dave’s Motorboat Shop, Winnipesaukee Yacht Club, Members of J80 Fleet #1, and generous donors and volunteers.

For further information on the Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing School please visit the LWSA website at www.lwsa.org or call Al Posnack at 1-603- 370-0035.