About 200 feet off the end of my slip is a float with half a dozen Flying Juniors sitting on it. Pretty much every afternoon a bunch of teenagers show up with their coach, hank on the sails, clip on the tiller/rudder assembly, and go out and have the time of their lives. The afternoons consist of a lot of whooping and hollering, a few knockdowns and other minor disasters, and some very good sailing, too. They usually do very well competing against other clubs. How old were you when you first learned to sail? When did you first take a boat out on your own? Is sailing something you grew up with as a kid? Did you have the benefit of a youth sailing program? Or is sailing something you picked up later in life? If you started when you were older, do you wish you could have learned when you were a kid? What can be done to get more kids involved in sailing at an early age. Share your thoughts and be sure to vote in the Quick Quiz on the bottom of the home page. (Quiz by Gary Wyngarden)
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good memories Gary
I was introduced to sailing with Flying Juniors about 35 years ago in Vancouver BC. My father, who sailed star boats in Vancouver in his teens bought us a used FJ and it started a life long interest in sailing. What a Hoot we had ! We had to drag our boat on a dolly about 100 yards out over the mud if the tide wasn't high and I recall we had as much fun doing that as learning to sail. I think sail training is one of the best things a youth can experience. THanks for reminding me - I'll give my Dad a special thankyou for that this father's day. Tom Irwin Sidney, BC
I was introduced to sailing with Flying Juniors about 35 years ago in Vancouver BC. My father, who sailed star boats in Vancouver in his teens bought us a used FJ and it started a life long interest in sailing. What a Hoot we had ! We had to drag our boat on a dolly about 100 yards out over the mud if the tide wasn't high and I recall we had as much fun doing that as learning to sail. I think sail training is one of the best things a youth can experience. THanks for reminding me - I'll give my Dad a special thankyou for that this father's day. Tom Irwin Sidney, BC
Dad tought me to sail.......
when I was about 8-9. However, he was a power boater and I grew up with power boats. I got out of boating for 20 years to raise three kids but we got back in 5 years ago and we much prefer sailing. Dad built a bunch of little 10 foot plywood sailboats he gave to the local yacht club in Naples, Fla many years ago. They have all worn out and gone but I have been thinking that when I retire in about 5 years I would like to carry on his tradition and build some boats and give them to a club for the use of a sailing program for kids. My enjoyment is in building them and sailing them. Dad had a wonderful saying that "Nothing was so enjoyable as squirming around in the wet hull of a sailboat teaching young boys to sail!!" He passed away last year at the age of 89. I think he last tought sailing about 8-9 years ago. Imagine that, still sailing in his 80s. And he was a power boater most of his life!! Do any of you think there is a demand for small plywood sailboats for this use? David
when I was about 8-9. However, he was a power boater and I grew up with power boats. I got out of boating for 20 years to raise three kids but we got back in 5 years ago and we much prefer sailing. Dad built a bunch of little 10 foot plywood sailboats he gave to the local yacht club in Naples, Fla many years ago. They have all worn out and gone but I have been thinking that when I retire in about 5 years I would like to carry on his tradition and build some boats and give them to a club for the use of a sailing program for kids. My enjoyment is in building them and sailing them. Dad had a wonderful saying that "Nothing was so enjoyable as squirming around in the wet hull of a sailboat teaching young boys to sail!!" He passed away last year at the age of 89. I think he last tought sailing about 8-9 years ago. Imagine that, still sailing in his 80s. And he was a power boater most of his life!! Do any of you think there is a demand for small plywood sailboats for this use? David
similar story
like david i learned to sail in a plywood boat at the age of about twelve or thirteen. in the northeast they were know as dusters. my dad was a power boater but told me i should learn to sail first. i sailed for two or three years and got a powerboat too. i didn't really sail again for almost thirty five years. my younger brother got a twenty seven footer first and i went out with him a few times. it wet my appetite i guess. five years ago i bought a junk sunfish and joined the yacht club i grew up at. three years ago i bought an o'day 222 and got involved in the sailing program at the yacht club. it is a great skill to know and like riding a bicycle you never really lose it. also like my dad i feel that all boaters would benefit from the ability, or at least the general knowledge of, how to sail. as for davids question... i think a donated sailboat wood or fiberglass would be greatly appreciated by any organization along with your time for instruction.
like david i learned to sail in a plywood boat at the age of about twelve or thirteen. in the northeast they were know as dusters. my dad was a power boater but told me i should learn to sail first. i sailed for two or three years and got a powerboat too. i didn't really sail again for almost thirty five years. my younger brother got a twenty seven footer first and i went out with him a few times. it wet my appetite i guess. five years ago i bought a junk sunfish and joined the yacht club i grew up at. three years ago i bought an o'day 222 and got involved in the sailing program at the yacht club. it is a great skill to know and like riding a bicycle you never really lose it. also like my dad i feel that all boaters would benefit from the ability, or at least the general knowledge of, how to sail. as for davids question... i think a donated sailboat wood or fiberglass would be greatly appreciated by any organization along with your time for instruction.
YMCA
I leaqrned at a YMCA camp when I was 13, in 1953. We were first taught the principles, then the nomenclature and finally on the water. This instruction was in X Boats. After enough hours as crew, we could take a special test and gain our "Captains" rating and take a crewed boat out by ourselves. At this point we could also use the camp's D scow. I can still remember the narrow tacking angles of the scow. I didn't sail again until 1972 but it came back in a rush. I taught my girls to sail on our Venture 222 as they grew up and later on our Sun 27. We now spend most of our summers on our Catalina 36.
I leaqrned at a YMCA camp when I was 13, in 1953. We were first taught the principles, then the nomenclature and finally on the water. This instruction was in X Boats. After enough hours as crew, we could take a special test and gain our "Captains" rating and take a crewed boat out by ourselves. At this point we could also use the camp's D scow. I can still remember the narrow tacking angles of the scow. I didn't sail again until 1972 but it came back in a rush. I taught my girls to sail on our Venture 222 as they grew up and later on our Sun 27. We now spend most of our summers on our Catalina 36.
learned on my own
I grew up on a little 5 acre midwest lake, and dad bought a little 12 ft something plywood (Telstar?) w/a main and jib, hauled it down to the lake, and said, "There it is." I learned to sail it by seeing what worked. Later I crewed for a guy on a Lightning when there wasn't much wind ... I was a VERY small boy for my age so the guy was 100 pounds more competitive with me on board. That's where I learned sail trim. I sail a C27 these days, which isn't particularly exciting for my grandson (except when I took him out in 25-30 a couple weeks ago!), so I'm sending him to Jr. Sailing Camp next week on a Laser. Gary asked what gets kids involved ... I think the best answer is to give them just barely enough instruction so they don't get frustrated early, then give them a boat and get out of there and let them have at it on their own. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
I grew up on a little 5 acre midwest lake, and dad bought a little 12 ft something plywood (Telstar?) w/a main and jib, hauled it down to the lake, and said, "There it is." I learned to sail it by seeing what worked. Later I crewed for a guy on a Lightning when there wasn't much wind ... I was a VERY small boy for my age so the guy was 100 pounds more competitive with me on board. That's where I learned sail trim. I sail a C27 these days, which isn't particularly exciting for my grandson (except when I took him out in 25-30 a couple weeks ago!), so I'm sending him to Jr. Sailing Camp next week on a Laser. Gary asked what gets kids involved ... I think the best answer is to give them just barely enough instruction so they don't get frustrated early, then give them a boat and get out of there and let them have at it on their own. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
Learning toghther
We purchased our Mac 26D last summer and my 12 year old son and I have been learning to sail it together. We both took the Boat Smart course from the local Power Squadron, and he was so excited when he passed the test. It has been a wonderfull experinece for the both of us. I have been thinking of getting an old sunfish for him to take out on his own sometime. By the way, I don't think we would sailing nearly as competently as we are now without this site. It has been a wealth of information.
We purchased our Mac 26D last summer and my 12 year old son and I have been learning to sail it together. We both took the Boat Smart course from the local Power Squadron, and he was so excited when he passed the test. It has been a wonderfull experinece for the both of us. I have been thinking of getting an old sunfish for him to take out on his own sometime. By the way, I don't think we would sailing nearly as competently as we are now without this site. It has been a wealth of information.
Better late...
First time in a sailboat at 17 but didn't learn til about 35, when I rented Hobies. After a long sleep, began in earnest at age 52. In some ways I am glad I left this deeper delving into the "new" sport til now because it is new to me when so much else is old to me. The refreshment of learning something new at this stage of my young life has been a real blessing.
First time in a sailboat at 17 but didn't learn til about 35, when I rented Hobies. After a long sleep, began in earnest at age 52. In some ways I am glad I left this deeper delving into the "new" sport til now because it is new to me when so much else is old to me. The refreshment of learning something new at this stage of my young life has been a real blessing.
Started on a Flying Junior at 11
1969...Sabego Lake, Maine...I was 11 and learned the basics...had to name 100 parts of a sailboat. The next years at Camp Seagull in NC and Camp Thunderbird in SC, I really honed my skills. Now I am teaching my kids.
1969...Sabego Lake, Maine...I was 11 and learned the basics...had to name 100 parts of a sailboat. The next years at Camp Seagull in NC and Camp Thunderbird in SC, I really honed my skills. Now I am teaching my kids.
Started as a USCG Cadet
I learned to sail during my swab summer at the Coast Guard Academy in 1968. We sailed International 12's. I couldn't count the times I turned it over until I finally learned the ropes. Continued sailing at the Academy but then did not sail again until moving to Key West and we bought a Catalina 25 in 1989. Both my boys can sail it and we still enjoy taking it out on family outings. Going to start teaching the grandsons how to sail it this summer. Can someone help me convince grandma that 6 years old is old enough?
I learned to sail during my swab summer at the Coast Guard Academy in 1968. We sailed International 12's. I couldn't count the times I turned it over until I finally learned the ropes. Continued sailing at the Academy but then did not sail again until moving to Key West and we bought a Catalina 25 in 1989. Both my boys can sail it and we still enjoy taking it out on family outings. Going to start teaching the grandsons how to sail it this summer. Can someone help me convince grandma that 6 years old is old enough?
didn't have the opportunity
Growing up less than 2 blocks from the waters of Lake Erie - one would think that opportunities to sail would have been abundant. But those 2 blocks were worlds apart economically from the ones enjoying their Lightnings, Interlakes, Stars, and the like in the harbor. I could see them every day, but could only be ON them in my dreams. It wasn't until I was 16 before I even got a chance to sail in a friend's father's Star Class. That experience instilled a love of the sport that stayed with me since. I was not to rekindle that love affair however until I got to enjoy sailing with my father-in-law. When he eventually sold his boat - a Columbia 24 - I took up the sailing hobby on my own and now enjoy an O'DAY 30. I'm active with the Spirit of America boating skills program that teaches young ecconomically "challenged" kids how to handle a variety of boats. I've never lost sight of my own disadvantaged roots and hope to bring some new faces to the boating scene.
Growing up less than 2 blocks from the waters of Lake Erie - one would think that opportunities to sail would have been abundant. But those 2 blocks were worlds apart economically from the ones enjoying their Lightnings, Interlakes, Stars, and the like in the harbor. I could see them every day, but could only be ON them in my dreams. It wasn't until I was 16 before I even got a chance to sail in a friend's father's Star Class. That experience instilled a love of the sport that stayed with me since. I was not to rekindle that love affair however until I got to enjoy sailing with my father-in-law. When he eventually sold his boat - a Columbia 24 - I took up the sailing hobby on my own and now enjoy an O'DAY 30. I'm active with the Spirit of America boating skills program that teaches young ecconomically "challenged" kids how to handle a variety of boats. I've never lost sight of my own disadvantaged roots and hope to bring some new faces to the boating scene.
Of Ceiling Wax & Turkey Prams
Gary, you asked about when we started sailing? I started on Pensacola Beach, Florida in 1964 at 11 years old. My parents inherited a "Turkey Pram" which they restored. We lived just across from the Gulf but a mile of more from the Sound. With a VW Bug and MG Midget car topping was not in the cards. So in those cash strapped days we took an old Chaise lounge and carted the pram to the sound and back. I can't say we did it very often or that I learned much aside from how hard it is to cart a pram over a mile in a chaise lounge. The next Summer I learned canoing and sailing in the Boy Scouts and began to race years later in the Coast Guard while stationed in Bermuda. I was a Sailing Master in Michigan the first time I took a team to the USYRU Cup races. It was a thoroughly dissappointing and frustrating experience and they have done little to expand of improve on it since. I would like to see US Sailing coordinate with Scouting and all other organizations to build a sailing program that is coordinated through every organization that teaches sailing. I would have this program begin with fun activities for the very young and progress to more competitive actvities as they age. I would also push to ensure inclusivity and wide participation at the club level and local levels. Then at the regional levels I would strive to have no less than a dozen entrants or more. Essentially every club in the region should be sending a representative to the local runoffs and every locale should have one representative at the regional runoffs. US Sailing reps/volunteers should be mentoring every new coach in fileding a team and ensuring participation. Right now a few clubs have a lock on the trophy's since the regionals will have two to six clubs represented. Almost no mentoring going on. Which perpetuates the same clubs winning again and again. The whole experience is exclusive not inclusive. I know there a number of people working to change this but the impression I have had working with US Sailing so far is very similar to my experience working with Red Cross. There is a distain by the regular staff for the volunteers that is palpable (denied or not). This translate to inflexibility that leads to exclusion. Red Cross has watched a lot of their programs gravitate to American Heart, US Sailing, etc. This is not due to the stated reasons of changing focus or costs, etc. but rather to this malaise of volunteer distain and inflexibility. Many volunteers that I have known with decades of experience were ignored by staffers with far less experience eventually resulting in the volunteer forming their own organization or join another organization. I see similar processes occurring with sailing in the US inspite of a concerted effort by US Sailing to become the sole authority in Sailing. This has to be done through service, listening, and inclusivity not force of will. Carrots work far better than sticks in promoting recreation.
Gary, you asked about when we started sailing? I started on Pensacola Beach, Florida in 1964 at 11 years old. My parents inherited a "Turkey Pram" which they restored. We lived just across from the Gulf but a mile of more from the Sound. With a VW Bug and MG Midget car topping was not in the cards. So in those cash strapped days we took an old Chaise lounge and carted the pram to the sound and back. I can't say we did it very often or that I learned much aside from how hard it is to cart a pram over a mile in a chaise lounge. The next Summer I learned canoing and sailing in the Boy Scouts and began to race years later in the Coast Guard while stationed in Bermuda. I was a Sailing Master in Michigan the first time I took a team to the USYRU Cup races. It was a thoroughly dissappointing and frustrating experience and they have done little to expand of improve on it since. I would like to see US Sailing coordinate with Scouting and all other organizations to build a sailing program that is coordinated through every organization that teaches sailing. I would have this program begin with fun activities for the very young and progress to more competitive actvities as they age. I would also push to ensure inclusivity and wide participation at the club level and local levels. Then at the regional levels I would strive to have no less than a dozen entrants or more. Essentially every club in the region should be sending a representative to the local runoffs and every locale should have one representative at the regional runoffs. US Sailing reps/volunteers should be mentoring every new coach in fileding a team and ensuring participation. Right now a few clubs have a lock on the trophy's since the regionals will have two to six clubs represented. Almost no mentoring going on. Which perpetuates the same clubs winning again and again. The whole experience is exclusive not inclusive. I know there a number of people working to change this but the impression I have had working with US Sailing so far is very similar to my experience working with Red Cross. There is a distain by the regular staff for the volunteers that is palpable (denied or not). This translate to inflexibility that leads to exclusion. Red Cross has watched a lot of their programs gravitate to American Heart, US Sailing, etc. This is not due to the stated reasons of changing focus or costs, etc. but rather to this malaise of volunteer distain and inflexibility. Many volunteers that I have known with decades of experience were ignored by staffers with far less experience eventually resulting in the volunteer forming their own organization or join another organization. I see similar processes occurring with sailing in the US inspite of a concerted effort by US Sailing to become the sole authority in Sailing. This has to be done through service, listening, and inclusivity not force of will. Carrots work far better than sticks in promoting recreation.
Crew
My sisters and I were introduced to sailing as children. We learned to sail on the Potomac River on a 17ft Silhouette, and then progressed to more challenging conditions in Maine and Rhode Island. What none of us realized at the time was that my father was teaching us to be great crew, but we never really learned to skipper. When I purchased the O'Day 25, I took some sailing lessons to fill the gap before taking her out on my own. -M
My sisters and I were introduced to sailing as children. We learned to sail on the Potomac River on a 17ft Silhouette, and then progressed to more challenging conditions in Maine and Rhode Island. What none of us realized at the time was that my father was teaching us to be great crew, but we never really learned to skipper. When I purchased the O'Day 25, I took some sailing lessons to fill the gap before taking her out on my own. -M
Happy memories
I grew up the son of a confirmed power boater, I think I learned to water ski at 8. But I always looked at sailboats and wished I was on one of them instead. I finally got my chance as a newly-minted Midshipman at Annapolis where they taught us the very basics in old Rainbow 19's I believe. As I had always thought I would, I loved sailing and wound up joining the dinghy team, sailing 420's, Lasers, and eventually even windsurfers. When we didn't have races of our own, we used to go to the local yacht clubs and crew on the bigger boats in exchange for free food - and of course to meet the yachtsmen's daughters! I was even crazy enough to sail Shields sloops in the frostbite series on the Chesapeake - 3 layers of thermal clothing under a drysuit... Once I was out of school and sailing on "real" ships, I got out of the sailing habit for about 15 years or so, but then this year finally bought my 26M and am getting my skills back quickly. This is a great thread - thanks for the memories!! I think I'll see if there are any local youth programs looking for volunteers
- AndyS
I grew up the son of a confirmed power boater, I think I learned to water ski at 8. But I always looked at sailboats and wished I was on one of them instead. I finally got my chance as a newly-minted Midshipman at Annapolis where they taught us the very basics in old Rainbow 19's I believe. As I had always thought I would, I loved sailing and wound up joining the dinghy team, sailing 420's, Lasers, and eventually even windsurfers. When we didn't have races of our own, we used to go to the local yacht clubs and crew on the bigger boats in exchange for free food - and of course to meet the yachtsmen's daughters! I was even crazy enough to sail Shields sloops in the frostbite series on the Chesapeake - 3 layers of thermal clothing under a drysuit... Once I was out of school and sailing on "real" ships, I got out of the sailing habit for about 15 years or so, but then this year finally bought my 26M and am getting my skills back quickly. This is a great thread - thanks for the memories!! I think I'll see if there are any local youth programs looking for volunteers
- AndySSunfish
I learned to sail from my PE instructor. I had to take summer PE due to an injury during the regular year. Our instructor was a member of the Louisville Yacht Club, and raced in the Sunfish fleet. He took us out a couple of days, after some class room basics. My only regret was that I should have researched this lifestyle more at a younger age. I was under the impression that sailing was a rich man's sport, and out of my league. If I had known that I really could have afforded to own a boat years ago, I'd probably have lead a totally different life. Closer to a large body of water, and probably earning a living in boating somehow.
I learned to sail from my PE instructor. I had to take summer PE due to an injury during the regular year. Our instructor was a member of the Louisville Yacht Club, and raced in the Sunfish fleet. He took us out a couple of days, after some class room basics. My only regret was that I should have researched this lifestyle more at a younger age. I was under the impression that sailing was a rich man's sport, and out of my league. If I had known that I really could have afforded to own a boat years ago, I'd probably have lead a totally different life. Closer to a large body of water, and probably earning a living in boating somehow.
shower curtain sail
I will NEVER forget my first time. About 13, was in a sailboat I designed and built myself (and looked pretty good, too), had a piece of electrical conduit for a mast and a shower curtain for a sail, complete with the wire hooks for sail hanks. "sailed" downwind to the end of the lake and had to have Dad pick me up in the car to get back. Was painted "seafoam green" from Montgomery Wards.
I will NEVER forget my first time. About 13, was in a sailboat I designed and built myself (and looked pretty good, too), had a piece of electrical conduit for a mast and a shower curtain for a sail, complete with the wire hooks for sail hanks. "sailed" downwind to the end of the lake and had to have Dad pick me up in the car to get back. Was painted "seafoam green" from Montgomery Wards.
Getting kids sailing
I don't know when it stated but sailing was in my blood. I spent a lot of time in the mid-1960s scraping and painting boat bottoms just for a chance to sail. In 1977 I bought a Snark sloop that I sailed for 20 years. Today I volunteer at a sailing center that teaches kids to sail. (I work on the boats and the facilities so that the teachers can teach.) The program has been growing steadily over the years and many alumni have gone to colleges with sailing teams.
I don't know when it stated but sailing was in my blood. I spent a lot of time in the mid-1960s scraping and painting boat bottoms just for a chance to sail. In 1977 I bought a Snark sloop that I sailed for 20 years. Today I volunteer at a sailing center that teaches kids to sail. (I work on the boats and the facilities so that the teachers can teach.) The program has been growing steadily over the years and many alumni have gone to colleges with sailing teams.
Boy Scouts
My sailing started at Broadcreek summer camp sailing on the styrofoam float boats they used. I stepped up from there and moved onto sailing dinghies until I was about 15 and stopped sailing all together. When I turned 19 I bought a sj21 which I ended up selling 2 years later when we found out my son was on the way. I never got to sail that one. My son is 3 now, and ecstatic that I bought a sailboat, every day I hear "Can we go sailing"? while I'm getting ready to leave for work. to get more kids involved in sailing, hmm... Take them out on the boat, and hand them the mainsheet. Or give them another job to do. Peak their interest by challenging them with something.
My sailing started at Broadcreek summer camp sailing on the styrofoam float boats they used. I stepped up from there and moved onto sailing dinghies until I was about 15 and stopped sailing all together. When I turned 19 I bought a sj21 which I ended up selling 2 years later when we found out my son was on the way. I never got to sail that one. My son is 3 now, and ecstatic that I bought a sailboat, every day I hear "Can we go sailing"? while I'm getting ready to leave for work.
to get more kids involved in sailing, hmm... Take them out on the boat, and hand them the mainsheet. Or give them another job to do. Peak their interest by challenging them with something.
Summer camp
My summer camp had a fleet of Sunfish and Sailfish, and one yellow "Snark" (anyway, I think that was its name; it was another AMF boat, made of styrofoam covered with yellow tupperware with a lateen sail like the Sunfish; it looked like a hollowed out banana). I started to sail those boats at age 12, and continued to do so up through high school. I remember the first time I tipped over. That lake water was cold! Sailing was always one of my favorite things to do at camp. I bought my own Sunfish twenty years later, and it reminded me of how much fun those boats were and still are.
My summer camp had a fleet of Sunfish and Sailfish, and one yellow "Snark" (anyway, I think that was its name; it was another AMF boat, made of styrofoam covered with yellow tupperware with a lateen sail like the Sunfish; it looked like a hollowed out banana). I started to sail those boats at age 12, and continued to do so up through high school. I remember the first time I tipped over. That lake water was cold! Sailing was always one of my favorite things to do at camp. I bought my own Sunfish twenty years later, and it reminded me of how much fun those boats were and still are.
something about old dogs and new tricks
I grew up about a mile and a half from Lake Huron and spent many summer days sitting on the beach dreaming of the sailboats in the distance. Furthermore, The week before the annual Port Huron to Mackinaw Yacht Race there are huge beautiful head turners all up and down the black river, more fuel for my sailboat dreams. When we moved "inland" I gave up my dreams of sailing, we have small lakes and rivers in the Ann Arbor area, but not big lakes. It wasn't until I lived in this area for several years that I realized that there is such a thing as a small sailboat! So at 38 years old I bought a 17' cb boat and spent a summer embarrasing myself on a small lake, and learning much from the very kind, more experienced sailors on the lake. I still dream about sailing from Port Huron to Tobermory on a beautiful boat, but I am having a ball on my little boat, on my little lakes. My kids will grow up sailing, therefore they will probably dream of a Jet Ski! John
I grew up about a mile and a half from Lake Huron and spent many summer days sitting on the beach dreaming of the sailboats in the distance. Furthermore, The week before the annual Port Huron to Mackinaw Yacht Race there are huge beautiful head turners all up and down the black river, more fuel for my sailboat dreams. When we moved "inland" I gave up my dreams of sailing, we have small lakes and rivers in the Ann Arbor area, but not big lakes. It wasn't until I lived in this area for several years that I realized that there is such a thing as a small sailboat! So at 38 years old I bought a 17' cb boat and spent a summer embarrasing myself on a small lake, and learning much from the very kind, more experienced sailors on the lake. I still dream about sailing from Port Huron to Tobermory on a beautiful boat, but I am having a ball on my little boat, on my little lakes. My kids will grow up sailing, therefore they will probably dream of a Jet Ski! John
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