youth Program |
|
The Youth Sailing Program aims to teach the art of sailing to young sailors and, for those who are interested, introduce them to sailboat racing. The youth sailors learn on the club-owned fleet of kid-friendly sailboats. sailing class. sessions. Programs are coached by our mature, experienced dinghy and keelboat sailors/racers. Highlights include:
- or- Youth Sailing Director, James : jamesofreedman@gmail.com |
Open to DCYC members and non-members DCYC youth sailing is open to both new sailors and to the intermediate level sailor - ages 8 to 15 (exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis). The program focuses on developing or improving basic sailing skills which are taught in Optimist Prams, O'Pen Bic Skiffs, RS Tera, Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, and Club 420 - a double handed boat. The kids will perfect the basics of rigging and sailing in straight lines on and off the wind; capsize recovery; identifying points of sail, wind direction and sail trim. They will learn how to start a race and make their way around the race course. On the water safety is the top priority and practiced at all times; care and proper use of boats and equipment is taught. Knot tying is also taught. Each Youth Sailor Must Pass DCYC's Basic Swim Skills Test in our Pool (Details Here)
Each Youth Sailor Must Provide & Wear His/Her Own USCG Approved PFD (Lifejacket) As the sailors advance, they will focus on improving boat handling skills; should be able to sail in stronger winds; better understand wind shifts; and develop strategies for racing. When the youth sailor is ready, he/she typically progresses to a Laser, FJ or 420. These are used by many high school and collegiate teams and at Texas Sailing Assoc. (TSA) circuit events. DCYC provides sailboats for its camps and classes. View a Story and Photos about DCYC Sailing Camp
Summer Sailing Camps during June & July
Lauren sailing DCYC's Laser Radial on scenic Lake Lewisville
Sailing in the DCYC harbor on a summer Saturday morning with Myles in the Opti and Coach John on the Laser. Coach Ed (not pictured here) is in the DCYC's motor-driven Chase Boat for safety and instruction.
Summer Sailing Camp on a light air morning sail. | Web page updated: Nov 14, 2020 Who's ready for 2020 to be over ? While we cannot predict the health status of the USA in 2021, the DCYC Youth Sailing Program is committed to an active youth program in 2021, while hoping that the Covid-19 Pandemic conditions become more favorable. So here's our first look at a hopeful 2021! We suggest that you check our Youth Sailing web pages periodically for updates. DCYC expects to add two new exciting youth sailboats to its fleet in early 2021. The RS Tera is a nimble, fast, safe, reefable, sailing training boat View more information about DCYC's new RS Tera sailboats here. Summer Sailing Camps during June and July 2021 (Preliminary Schedule) Registration Not Yet Available Camp Session Dates One June 7-11, 2021 Two June 21-25, 2021 Three July 5-9, 2021 Four July 19-23, 2021 2021 Summer Sailing Camp Brochure ( Preliminary) Sailing Classes 2021 Brochure (Preliminary) DCYC Youth Sailing Opportunities in 2021 (Preliminary ) - Introduction to sailing session (a single-day or weekend per your schedule) - Basic sailing classes sailed in single-handed dinghy - Saturdays - Spring 2021 - Intermediate sailing classes -regatta preparation - Saturdays - Fall 2021 - Single-family sailing mini-classes (We did this during the pandemic in 2020) - Model sailboat races in pool, during camp or class, for instructional purposes and amusement & knot tying class same day (but 'knot' in pool) - Customized Private Lessons (Limited Availability) - Summer Sailing Camps - Four Sessions of Five-Days Each
Optimist Prams at the Starting Line in Green Fleet at Pirates Regatta Ed Henkel, Youth Sailing Coach kw1720cc@gmail.com John Pherson, Youth Sailing Coach pherson1@gmail.com
Ten-year-old sailing mini-class participant, Thomas, on the Laser, Fall 2020
Artwork courtesy of one of our single-family, mini sailing class parents -2020 |
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Ed Henkel Youth Sailing Coach kw1720cc@gmail.com C He has a keen sailing coach ability and lots of patience to help each child learn something about sailing during a DCYC Youth Sailing Program. Ed and Patty are long-tenured DCYC Members John Pherson Youth Sailing Coach pherson1@gmail.com
Coach John is an experienced sailor who usually sails a Catalina 25 keelboat or a Precision 15 day sailor. When not aboard the keelboat you can usually find him sailing with his young grandchildren. John is also DCYC's Vice Commodore and has plenty of experience at DCYC's youth sailing programs.
John and his wife, Tracy, are active members of DCYC and enjoy sharing time with their grandkids while at the club. John and Ed manage the Youth Program at DCYC with help from staff and volunteers. DCYC's facility is located on the north end of Lewisville Lake - in Oak Point, Texas. The lovely clubhouse, pool, harbor, and spacious grounds are set in a quiet, small town which affords the youth sailor with opportunity to focus on fresh air, lovely scenery, and on the sport of sailing. The experienced, mature coaches are dedicated to boating safely while helping each child develop a love for sailing. We want the kids to have plenty of safe fun and we arrange our programs accordingly. Because we are on the north end of Lewisville Lake it's fairly secluded and a whole lot less motorboat traffic. Come and sail with DCYC's Youth Program. You'll be pleased that you did. | .jpg) Saturday Youth Sailing Classes - Spring & Fall 2021 can be sailed on the scenic lake or in DCYC's spacious, sheltered harbor as pictured above. |
oach Ed is a retired person with decades of sailing and sailboat racing experience from lake racing to ocean passage sailing. He also serves on DCYC's Board of Governors. 
