Junior WeeksOne week, full-day lessons from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. are offered to sailors ages 8-18 throughout the summer. Sailors receive both on-the-water and off-the-water instruction primarily in Optimist Prams, RS Teras and Lasers, and may also be instructed on Flying Scots as conditions allow. Sailors are taught as a group, or two groups, but each sailor also receives some individualized coaching to help him or her progress through a sequence of levels (certificates accompanied by pins) at his or her own pace. Each junior week will be held at DCSS's facility located at Deep Creek Yacht Club at Turkey Neck. All sailors must wear life jackets at all times on or near the water. Check out the summer 2020 schedule.
Junior Week Curriculum The week begins with a mandatory swim test followed by an in-the-water capsize drill. Sailors then receive basic sailing and safety instruction, on-the-land and boat rigging instruction. Regardless of experience, and weather permitting, each sailor will sail on the first day. Each of the following days includes a chalk talk and on-the-water instruction. Usually the week includes a long-distance sail to Deep Creek Yacht Club at Deerhaven and back, and each week concludes with an awards ceremony. Sailors must be…
Teen Week One week each summer is dedicated to helping students age 13 and older improve their sailing and racing skills on RS Teras, Lasers and Flying Scots. Creek Critter Weeks Creek Critters is a learn-to-sail program for 6-and 7-year olds held Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m.-noon. A typical week begins with students performing a swim test in their life jacket and concludes with students sailing two to a boat in Prams. Students must be comfortable around the water and able to swim. Creek Critters do not receive pins or distance sail, but other sailing school requirements such as what to bring and behavior expectations remain the same.) Students will meet on the patio outside the sailing school classroom. More details will be sent to parents upon registration. If you have questions about whether this is a good fit for your child, please contact Jill Bennett at jillsbennett@gmail.com. Pin System DCSS’s curriculum allows sailors to progress through a series of levels at his or her own pace. Each level includes a list of criteria and is accompanied by a certificate and pin. The levels for Optimist Prams and Lasers include yellow (beginner), green (intermediate), red (intermediate-advanced), blue (advanced), silver (racing) and gold (advanced racing). Sailors begin learning basic boat rigging and de-rigging, identification of parts, safety, knot tying and basic boat handling, then move to more advanced drills and racing rules. Seamanship, sportsmanship and willingness to try are highly valued and encouraged. Mandatory Swim Test All sailors must pass a swim test that includes swimming 50 yards alongside of the dock and staying afloat, in place, for up to a few minutes. What to Bring The weather on Deep Creek Lake can change in quickly, and as long as the conditions are safe, sailors should plan to sail, even if it’s cold or raining. All gear should be in a duffle bag and every item should be labeled with the sailor’s name. Any clothing or gear left in the sailing school room will be placed in the lost and found. Sailors should plan to wear a bathing suit, shorts and T-shirt and bring the following:
Boats DCSS has a fleet of Optimist Prams, RS Teras and Lasers. The Lasers have full, radial and 4.7 rig options. New and smaller (under 90 lb) sailors usually sail Optimists or Teras. Heavier, older, or more experienced sailors usually sail Teras or Lasers with the appropriate size rig and sail. Wind conditions may also dictate which boat is most appropriate for each sailor, and the type of boat may vary during a given week. Sailors are welcome and encouraged to bring their own Optimist, Tera or Laser, and parents receive a discount of $50 per week for providing their own boat. Registration Registration for the adult weeks, advanced laser teen week and any single week of junior week opens the first week of March. Once students are confirmed in their first week choices, they may register for a second week beginning May 15. This helps us ensure that all students have to opportunity for at least one week of camp each summer. The application, other forms and checks should be mailed. No phone, email, or fax reservations will be accepted, and we are unable to accept cash or credit card at this time. Required Forms for Juniors Register online now by clicking junior registration. Please mail or email medical form and behavioral contracts to the registrar address below. Junior Medical Form Junior Behavior Contract Junior Registration Sunday Sail Waiver, Release of Liability and Boat Loan Agreement Registrar
Charles Graham, Registrar DCSS 2046 Blairmont Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15241 Contact Info: dcss.registrar@gmail.com Phone: SAILONDCL9 (724-566-3259) |
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