Sailing Parents Manual 2025 Copy

Instructors will teach all students how to do this properly. It is mandatory that your child pass the water comfort check before participation in the program. Please make sure your sailor has an additional set of dry clothes and a towel for the first day of the session. 

Expected Behavior 

All junior sailors and parents shall abide by the Club Rules. Additionally, the following behavior will not be tolerated: 

• Disruptive behavior 

• Profanity 

• Disrespectful gestures, actions or language, bullying  

• PFDs must be worn at all times in, on or near the water including on all docks and ramps. 

• Shoes must be worn at all times. Sandals or other open-toed shoes are not appropriate. 

• No running on the ramp, mole, docks or decks 

• No pushing 

• No swimming except under the supervision of a program staff member. 

• The use of electronic devices during regular class time is strongly discouraged. We will ask sailors to stow their electronic devices at the beginning of each class. 

Class Structure

Beginner
Ages 7 and up
Beginners will learn small boat handling skills, boating safety, basic knots, rigging, capsize recovery, and rescue. Special activities include: Apple Race, Pirate Day and Dock Day.

Intermediate/Adventure
Prerequisite: Beginner Sailing Course and/or Sail School Permission
Intermediate sailors will learn boat handling skills, sail function and steering, knots and line handling, weather / wind interpretation, race tactics and rules. Special activities include: Apple Race, Pirate Day and an Evening Sail.

Advanced
Prerequisite: SCC Sail School Permission. For seasoned sailors only
The class trains sailors, using short course buoy racing, to develop tactical, race and boat handling skills. Weekly regattas and some weekend racing opportunities are available to members of the racing team. Advanced sailors participate in an Overnight Sail.

Private Classes
Open to all interested parties and taught by experienced Instructors, classed are tailored to your specific needs and interests.

When registering your child for the sailing program you will be asked to select one of the classes. If your child has no sailing experience you should select the Beginner Class. At the end of each session/year the instructors will determine if your child is ready for the next level of classes. In situations in which a Junior Sailor has sailing experience outside of our sailing program, please contact the Head Instructor or Program Director so they can be placed in the appropriate class.

Regattas

Interclubs-The SCC Sailing School participates in the Central New York Sailing Association Interclub Racing Program. Racing is done in 420s, Optis and Lasers. Our program has fielded a consistently competitive group of sailors and many of our “alumni'' have gone on to sail at the college level.

The races are held at yacht clubs throughout Central New York on Tuesdays (Laser/420) and Wednesdays (Optis).  Each time we travel one or more instructors will serve as a coach and a “supervising adult” must accompany the team. Typically we need help towing the boats to the regattas, so volunteers for both supervision and towing are needed.

Junior Olympics-We also send teams to the Junior Olympics in Rochester, which is US Sailing’s Olympic Development Program designed to expose young sailors to a large regatta and help identify “future Olympians."  There are several fleets including: Laser, Open Bic, 420 and Optimist. 

Possible Other Races- We encourage racers to participate in other races held on Skaneateles Lake (Sandbaggers, Columbia Cup and the All Lake Regatta) using Club Sailboats. Please let the Head Instructor or Sailing Program Director know of your interest and they can assign you a boat. Likewise, there are regattas on other bodies of water that some racers would like to attend.  The use of boats off the lake, other than those events listed below, will need the review and approval of the SCC Sailing Committee.The Racing calendar will be sent out to parents of racers. Races are also listed on the Sail School calendar.

Awards

At the end of the sailing season during the annual awards ceremony we celebrate the achievements of the Junior Sailors. In addition to the distribution of Certificates of Completion we announce those that have earned special recognition with awards and trophies.

Those that received an award last year are asked to return it to the Focsle for display on or before the first day of sailing. Engraving of perpetual awards is the responsibility of the recipient.

Parent/Guardian Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering is a great way to participate alongside your child and to get a feel for what your child will encounter as he/she progresses in sailing. In an effort to provide the best experience possible for your child, the Sailing Committee needs your support to fill in key volunteer roles throughout the summer. There are many areas where you can help including: 

Regattas Home and Away: For regattas hosted by the Skaneateles Country Club, jobs range from helping with registration to joining the on the water race committee. For regattas at other venues you can help with carpooling, transporting boats/equipment and assisting sailors rig and ready their boats at the venue. Each regatta will require a “supervising adult” to assist the instructors.

Photographers: Take photographs of the Junior Sailing Program in action to be used in a slide show at the end of season banquet. They may also be used on the Instagram and Facebook pages.

End of Season Banquet & Awards Ceremony: Organization of the event and preparation of the slide show.

Special Events:Help organize and run various fun events throughout the summer (Apple Day, Pirate Day, etc) 

Possible Weekend Opti Regattas: While the instructors support most of this activity you can volunteer to help set up boats and even be a part of the “race committee”. These are very informal races to introduce beginning sailors to racing. 

Safety

Safety is one of our greatest concerns and we take it seriously. The following is a brief outline of some core elements of our safety program:

Inclement Weather

Staff will monitor a weather radio throughout the day and be aware of visual storm signs. We will also utilize the Weather Alert System available through the Golf Course. On rainy days, if the wind is not too strong, sailing classes will be held. In the case of foul weather due to fog, wind, or heavy rain, the final decision on whether or not the students sail will be made by the Sailing Director. Land classes will be held if the Sailing Director decides it is unsafe to go out on the water. A “Clear the Water” signal will be understood and used by all Sailing School Staff and taught to the Junior Sailors and augmented by the Clubs Weather Alert System. 

When there is a sustained wind speed in excess of 25 knots or water temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit there will be no “on the water” instruction. The only exception will be when a sailor is seeking Heavy Weather Certification. This exception will be at the discretion of the Sailing Director and each sailboat will be accompanied by a safety boat with 2 instructors on board.

The Sailing Director is the chief safety officer for the Junior Sailing programand in conjunction with the other instructors and Program Director will assess the suitability of sailing. The Sailing Director is the final authority regarding conditions and sailing suitability. 

Students

LIFE JACKETS: 

Personal flotation devices (PFD or life jackets) must be worn and properly fashioned at all times when students and instructors are on the docks, piers, in a boat, or near the water. PFDs must be U.S. Coast Guard approved and must be properly fitted to an individual’s size and weight. PFDs must be worn by students and staff when participating in any activity that takes a person into a boat or onto a dock, ramp, sea wall or launch area adjacent to or leading to water. 

The PFD needs to be properly identified with the owner’s name and should be inspected regularly to ensure that it is in good functioning condition (no missing straps, torn zippers, exposed or waterlogged flotation). A whistle on a lanyard shall be attached to the PFD. If a PFD is in unsafe condition, it will not be available for use and replaced immediately with a Club owned PDF until a replacement is acquired by the student.

FOOTWEAR: 

Shoes are required at all times and must cover the toes and encircle the feet. Shoes may be boat shoes, dinghy boots, water shoes, or regular sneakers that can get wet. This requirement applies to land activities as well as on-the-water time, and applies to students, instructors, and program administrators. Shoes should not have black soles. Open-toe shoes are not recommended for junior sailing programs.

EYE AND SKIN PROTECTION: 

Students should have and wear adequate sunblock, a hat, and sunglasses. Students are responsible for having and applying their own sunblock. Sailors should also bring a water bottle and drink adequate water to prevent dehydration. Coaches and instructors will monitor for signs of sunburn and dehydration.

INJURY:

Sailing School Staff are certified in First Aid and CPR. They are also supported by the SCC LifeGuard Staff and Day Camp Staff. Procedures are in place to deal with any injury. Staff are trained to react to different situations and who to contact. A Medical Form for every student is kept on file with appropriate emergency phone numbers. Staff are able to administer care for minor cuts and bruises. If the injury is serious, local EMS will be notified and the individual may be transported to the local emergency room. The staff member will provide the student’s Medical Form to the EMS staff to facilitate care. With the equipment associated with sailing (booms), there is the risk for concussions. All Instructors are trained in Concussion Awareness and Prevention.

The Junior Sailing Program is not equipped to supervise or handle students before or after class times. Children are to be dropped off and picked up on time. Due to instructor to student ratios and safety standards, students will not be allowed to bring a friend to class. 

All students are assigned to an instructor who keeps a progress report of each child (Little Red Book). The student’s daily as well as overall progress will also be monitored by the Head Instructor and Instructors. Any questions regarding a student’s progress should be directed to the Head Instructor or Program Director

Sailing Staff Certifications

All Senior Instructors are certified US Sailing Small Boat Level I instructors. In order for their certification to be valid, an instructor must hold current First Aid and CPR certifications, along with a Safe Boating certificate recognized by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. 

Only Certified instructors will operate Safety Boats/Power Boats. There will be an on the water review of Safety Boats/Power Boat skills prior to the start of “on the water” classes. 

Junior Instructors will be allowed to operate the Safety Boats/Power Boats only after the successful completion of the New York/ National Association of State Boating Law Administrators certification and demonstrating specific boat handling skills on the water.  

Boat Inspections

A safety check of all club-owned boats and safety boats will occur prior to each class, and again at the end of the day. Students are also required to do a self check of the boats to make sure all equipment, lines and spars are in working order. If a boat is determined to be unsafe, it will be immediately taken out of service and fixed before it is returned to service. Safety Boats will be checked for all Coast Guard required equipment as well as Club required safety equipment.

Communication-VHF Radios & Cell Phones

A VHF radio system for communication is an integral part of the sailing program. Every instructor will have access to a VHF built into their safety boat or will carry a portable VHF marine radio. Instructors will maintain contact with the land/club and the Sailing Director. Each class on the water will also have access to one working cell phone stored in an appropriate waterproof case. Cell phones are for emergencies only and should not distract the instructor from their job of running and monitoring their class.   

Safety Boat Operation

Safety Boats will be deployed per the US Sailing recommended ratios. Safety boat usage rules include: 

• Safety and coach boats will be in constant communication via VHF radio. 

• No sailors will be left unattended on the water. 

• One boat per class will have a working cell phone. 

• Club owned boats will generally not be operated more than 2 miles from the club. 

• Club owned boats must return to harbor prior to sunset. 

• A U.S. Coast Guard Float Plan should be filed with the Program Director or Waterfront Director when taking students on a long distance trip/outing by boat.

General Manager, Skaneateles Country Club: Zach Maslyn

SCC Sailing Board Member: Mike Yates

Summer Jr. Sailing Program Manager: Ellie Torrisi

For more information or questions please email: sailskancc@gmail.com