Q: Will my child be able to sail with his or her friend?
A: We are generally able to accommodate sailing partner requests, but these pairing are not guaranteed every time on the water. They will change somewhat day-to-day as class dynamics, weather, and student abilities dictate.
Q: What happens when the weather does not cooperate?
A: We will sail in light rain, as long as there is no lightning. However, in stormy conditions, we have a number of land-based activities including learning about sailing theory, knot tying, protecting our aquatic environment, racing techniques, and games. If there is no wind, we can still practice certain skills in the boats. We also have kayaks and a canoe for students to use, and swimming is always a popular activity. It is extremely rare that the weather prevents us from being on the water for an entire day.
Q: I'm not sure if my child can pass the swim test. What should we do?
A: The swim test is not difficult. Students will wear a lifejacket whenever they are on or near the water, so we are just looking for basic comfort and mobility in the water. If you are unsure whether your child has this basic comfort level, we can schedule a swim test prior to the first day of camp. Contact Steve Heinzelman (see contact information below).
Q: Should my 7- or 8-year-old take the half-day or full-day session?
A: This is obviously a personal decision based on your family's schedule and your child's interest, attention span, and physical endurance. We have found that the majority of kids who sign up for the half-day session decide that they want to switch to the full-day session after a day or two because they are having so much fun.
If you have additional questions, please contact Steve Heinzelman, the Director of Sailing Instruction, at 585-586-8253 or by
sheinzel@gmail.com.