Northport Youth Sailing School (NYSS)

2011 REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS

You must submit the registration, health and consent forms. The scholarship form is optional. The CHECKLIST tells you what to bring to class. Please read it. (Every year, we have kids show up the first day without towels, sunscreen, bathing suits or water shoes.) Fill out the merchandise form if you want an NYSS t-shirt, sweatshirt, backpack or hat. (These forms will be updated before 2012 registration.)

REQUIRED

✓ Registration Form
✓ Health Form
✓ Consent Form
✓ $100 check payable to NYSS, 477 S. Shore, Northport, MI 49670 OR a participation in the Inland Seas spring Opti building program OR a scholarship application.

OPTIONAL

✓ Scholarship Application. All available 2011 scholarships have been assigned with this exception: children who attend Northport Public Schools and will complete third through eighth grades in June, are eligible for a full scholarship. Send in your application ASAP & be sure to note that your child is a Northport student. There are a limited number of slots available.
✓ Merchandise: NYSS t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and other gear. New this year are sweatshirts and hats in navy and a big tote bag for all of your beach gear. All items have the NYSS logo. Order by June 14, 2011. Delivery will be on the first day of your child's class but if you're in a later class, arrangements can be made for earlier pick-up.

2012 SCHEDULE

Sailing classes are open to students ages 8 (by June 1, 2012) - 16. Registration begins on April 15, 2012.

• Registration
  Starts April 15, 2012
  
• Summer Sailing Schedule
  Classes will be held for half days during the weeks of July 9-13, July 16-20, July 23-27, July 30-August 3 and August 6-10. Morning sessions are from 9 am to noon and afternoon sessions are from 1-4 pm. Tuition for the week is $110 but scholarships are available. See the FAQ or the above Scholarship Application for more details.
• Friday Fun Regatta
  July 13, 20 & 27 and August 3 & 10
  Bring the family to south beach in Northport on Fridays at 4:30 for sailing and a pot-luck dinner. Our young sailors will show off what they learned. Bring a dish to pass and your own beverages. Food will be served from 4:30 to 5; sailing is from 5 to 6:30. There are only a few picnic tables so bring a blanket or chairs to sit on. Afterward, go over to the pavillion for Music in the Park.

CLASSES

Determination of class level (Opti 1, Opti 2, Pico) is based on the recommendation of the instructors if the student attended in the past and/or has previous sailing experience.

What do I need to know for the first day of class?

✓ Checklist Things to bring to class.

Getting a headstart

Work on tying the bowline, figure of eight and square knots. Click on the Skills link above.

Volunteers Needed

Because the NYSS is a non-profit with a limited budget, we rely on assistance from volunteers to help out during instruction.

For each class session, we need 2 volunteers, one to drive a chase boat and one to oversee activities from the beach.

The chase boat drivers will pilot the Zodiacs. They must be able to start a motor and steer the boat. An instructor will ride with you. Basically, you’re a chauffeur and an extra set of eyes. You’ll be walking in the water when you shove off so wear water shoes and clothes that can get wet. Leave your wallet and cell phone on shore or in your car so that they don’t get wet.

The person on the beach will help to launch the boats (they’ll already be rigged; you just push them off.) Then you sit on the beach, keep an eye on everyone, and direct the chase boats to anyone needing assistance. Each chase boat and the beach person will have a radio. The beach person should also have a cell phone in case they need to call for outside assistance. Wear water shoes and clothes that can get wet. Bring a chair (optional), a charged cell phone and a beverage.

Volunteer hours are 9:15 am to noon and 1:15 pm to 4 pm. You should go to south beach and the students will meet you there.

We also need two people per week to help set up for the picnic. In 2012, the junior counselors will set up the tables and grills in the morning. A couple of adults are needed from around 4-6 pm to grill the hot dogs and arrange the paper products and side dishes. Clean up is pretty easy. Everyone helps put away the tables, boats and trash.