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“Where’s the grownup?” the three nineteen year old sailors asked after a cluster of mishaps left them wide-eyed and a bit unnerved. Sailing in Oswego Harbor, the novice sailors encountered a puff of wind causing their 19 foot Flying Scot sailboat to heel and round up. At the same time, a jib sheet knot came untied and the helmsman lost the helm. The adults were nearby in other boats watching as the young sailors earned their first sailing stripes. Later that evening, the teens were laughing about the incident and had a good story to tell their landlubber friends.
“That’s the kind of adventure that keeps kids coming back to sailing,” said Jeanne Rotunno, Oswego Yacht Club’s Small Boat Coordinator. Rotunno should know, for years she ran the Junior Sailing Program at OYC. Both of her son’s continue to be sailors. “Being alone on the boat, with lots of adult support near by, allows teens to develop the confidence they need to tackle larger projects both afloat and ashore,” Rotunno continued. She notes that former OYC Junior Sailor, John Enwright, recently won the Hospice Regattas National Championship in Rochester, NY.
Monday evenings during the summer months small boat sailors meet at the Club and spend an evening in informal competition, no scores are kept, but some sailors' bravado can be heard in the club over after sailing pizza and drinks. In recent weeks, nine or more boats have plied the harbor’s waters. Sailors range in age from 6 to 60 and sail a variety of small boats including the Flying Scots, Sunfishes, a Star class boat, and a Rainbow. Experience levels vary from young and inexperienced to seasoned competitors. The program’s goals are to have fun, build skills, and introduce young and old to sailing.
Flying Scot Fleet Captain Joe McCloskey notes that the boats used on Monday evenings are very economical boats. “One member recently bought a older Scot and outfitted it for about $1,000. There many Sunfish on the market for much less.”
This past winter OYC bought a Flying Scot for club use. “OYC has long wanted to build a youth sailing program,” said Commodore John Gary, “when the opportunity arose to acquire an older Scot at a very reasonable price, the Club jumped on it.” According to Gary, OYC members can sail the Scot so long as they demonstrate the ability to sail it safely.
For more information about the Monday evening sailing program contact Commodore John Gary, Fleet Captain Joe McCloskey, or Small Boat Coordinator Jeanne Rotunno. OYC membership is not a requirement for joining the fun, but if you aren’t a member yet, expect to be encouraged to join.
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