Learn to Sail at The
Rochester Canoe Club

 

The Rochester Canoe Club offers a sailing instruction program for all levels of sailors. Even if you have never set foot on a sailboat, we can teach you the basics of sailing, and have you out on the water sailing by yourself.

 
2011 Season

Session: Class: Time:
1 Jr. Beginner June 27 - July 1, 8:30-12:00
1 Jr. Intermediate June 27 - July 1, 1:00-4:00
2 Adult Beginner July 5 - July 8, 8:30-12:00
2 Race Clinic July 5 - July 8, 1:00-4:00
3 Junior Beginner July 11 - July 15, 8:30-12:00
3 Junior Intermediate July 11 - July 15, 1:00-4:00

 
Instructors:
picture of Mark & Doug
Mark & Doug
We have 2 senor instructors that teach the Jr. Sailing program. Doug Kaukeninen will be back for his 17th year teaching this program. Doug is a High School math teacher at Fairport High School. He has been sailing for over 30 years, and finishes top in both Sunfish and Thistle fleets at the National level. Our other senior instructor, returning for his 6th year is Mark Weider. Mark is an Earth Science teacher at Wayne Central High School. Mark has been sailing pretty much his whole life, and is a sunfish "master" finishing top in a lot of the sunfish races. He also races his Thistle at the national level. Helping teach the program are a few "Jr. Instructors." All of them have gone through the program themselves, and actively sail at the club. Some compete in national regattas in their boat.
Equipment Needed:
The students will need to bring and wear a coast guard approved life jacket. The students are to have and wear it at all times when they are on or near the water. It is also a good idea to bring an extra change of clothes. We will often take a break where we allow the kids to go swimming, and when they are sailing, they will most likely get wet. A hat and sunscreen is a good idea to bring as well. The students should bring "closed toed" shoes. Broken glass and zebra muscles wash up on the beach, and we don't want people to cut their feet.
Daily Lessons:
The instructors have organized the sessions into a structured, fun way to learn to sail. The day usually starts out by the students rigging the boats that will be needed for the day. Following that is a "chalk talk" where the instructors will teach the material that we will be doing that day. Also during that time we will practice the drills on land before we take them out onto the water. Once we get onto the water, we run them through a series of drills to have them practice all aspects to sailing. During this time we will take some breaks and play a few games on the water. We end the day de-rigging the boats, and end with another "chalk talk" for students to ask any questions they might have.
In case of bad weather:
If the weather is not safe to sail, or there is no wind, the instructors have alternate activities planed. These activities still help with their sailing, and are also fun. We try to provide as much on the water sailing practice, but sometimes the weather doesn't co-operate. The instructors always monitor the weather on the marine radio listening for bad weather coming.
If you want more information please look in our brochure. Also we will have an information night at the club on June 6th from 6:30-7:30 PM.
ALL FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED TO REGISTER
Medical Consent form(click to open)
Waiver form(click to open)

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