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Please help us continue and expand our programs.
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Junior Program Details
Here is an overview of:
- What to expect
- What to bring
- Swim Test
- Directions
for participants in SailMaine's summer Junior Sailing program:
1) What to Expect:
The Casco Bay Junior Sailing Program uses an experiential or “learning by doing” approach to learning to sail. We spend most of our time on the water, minimizing classroom-style instruction in favor of tangible, real life experience at the helm of a small boat. While here at the CBJSP, our sailors spend almost all of their three-hour class outside and on the water, so they should be prepared for lots of sun and occasional rain or cool weather. Even in August, the water temperature is about 60 degrees, and winds coming off the Gulf of Maine can make it significantly cooler than it is on land.
2) What to Bring:
- PFD (lifejacket) -- PFDs are also provided by SailMaine to those who do not have their own (most of the sailors). You are welcome to use your own if you have one that you are comfortable with, subject to approval by SailMaine staff.
- Whistle. Please attach to PFD.
- Water bottle (with water inside)
- Bathing suit and an extra set of dry clothes
- Towel.
- Proper footwear: close toe shoes (Tevas not allowed)
- Hat or visor, and sunglasses.
- Sun Block. We recommend 30 or higher.
- Appropriate clothing for all weather conditions.
- A fleece or jacket is good to have on all but the hottest days.
- Please try to avoid jeans and cotton sweatshirts as they absorb water and are very heavy in the water and cold when you get out.
- Synthetics, like nylon, polypropylene and fleeces are better options.
3) Swim Test: The goal of the swim test is to see how the participants respond to cold water and follow directions while swimming in Casco Bay. All kids must demonstrate at least some technique and more importantly a certain level of comfort in the water to be able to take the class. The test is pass/fail; and sailors who cannot pass the test will not be allowed to participate. A full refund will be granted in the case of a failed test.
We do the swim test in the ocean, right off our dock. Kids will be asked to jump in, swim 25-30 yards, and tread water for 2-3 minutes, all without a PFD. After that, we will throw them a PFD which they will put on while in the water, with our coaching. For the test, they are welcome to wear bathing suits or regular sailing clothes (usu. shorts and a T-shirt). Wetsuits are only allowed if the sailor is planning to sail in a wetsuit for the whole session, usually for medical reasons—the idea is that the test is given in conditions at least as difficult (no PFD) as those present during an accidental capsize. Each class (except Frosty AM) will also do a capsize drill at some point in the session. Frosty AM sailors are not required to capsize but strongly encouraged.
4) Directions
We are located on the Eastern Prom in Portland, near Portland Yacht Services and the Maine Narrow Gauge Train Museum. Please note that due to ongoing construction, the directions are DIFFERENT from last year, and you should not use PYS to access SailMaine.
Directions: From I-295, North or South, take exit 7 (Franklin Street). Go all the way to the end and take a left onto Commercial Street in front of the ferry terminal parking garage. Proceed to the stop sign at India Street and continue straight across on the newly constructed extension of Commercial Street (Thames Street). Continue past the Ocean Gateway terminal to the right all the way to the end of the street. Dogleg right and left over the RR tracks and enter the parking lot on the water, passing signs which say "Monthly Rear Lot Begins Here." Proceed to far end of lot and park outside of Gate 5. SailMaine is through this gate.
If you are picking up or dropping off sailors, please also use this lot (NOT PYS).
A note about parking: Portland Yacht Services and the Train Museum will be aggressively towing this year. Due to the large construction projects in the area, parking is at a premium and you MUST have a PYS permit to park in their lot. We have negotiated for parking and pick-up/drop-off in the lot right outside our gate; please make use of it. With the number of registrations we have this year, we need to stay out of the PYS lot, as we are simply too large a program to impose on our neighbors any more.
Please call Sarah at 650-2085 or send an email to sarah@sailmaine.org if you have other questions |
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