Sensible sailing
A Moraine Sailing Club tradition was renewed last week.
After being canceled last summer because of the coronavirus pandemic, Youth Sail Camp made its much-anticipated return to Lake Arthur.
Forty-six youths ages 8 to 17 took to the water to either sharpen their skills or learn the fundamentals for the first time. The event was conducted 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
"We've never had this many kids signed up for the camp," said Bill Paviol, commodore of MSC. "I'm sure that had something to do with COVID; it had to."
Even for returning campers, the week starts off with going over the basics of sailing, something the club calls "Shore School."
"We go over the different parts of a boat: bow, stern, port and starboard," Paviol said. "Every sailor needs to know the difference between true wind and apparent wind. Apparent wind is what you feel when you are moving; it feels like wind is blowing in your face, but that's not real wind and sailors can't use it."
Righting a capsized boat is also covered.
All the kids have to listen to the instructions, even ones with prior sailing experience. As Paviol explained: "You can always learn something new."
Each participant's family must already be members of Moraine Sailing Club. There is also a $130 fee per camper.
Depending on each youth's skill level, there are four boats they can take out onto the water.Beginners are placed in Optimists, small boats with one sail. The next level is a Sunfish boat, which is slightly larger. The final two challenges are Flying Juniors with much larger sails and Hobie catamarans, which are pontoons with two sails."Once one boat is mastered, it's time to get the kids into something more challenging," said Jeff Young, one of 15 U.S. Sailing instructors who worked the camp. "They love it. It's exciting for them. Kids who have never been in a sailboat get out there and sail on their own and their faces just light up!"Even for novice sailors, the learning process takes hold quickly."Within the first four hours (Monday), even the beginners were out on the water," said instructor Lidia Gray, a Grove City resident who runs a sailing school at Pymatuning Reservoir. Her love of the sport has been passed down to her children: Sofia, 14, and Jacob, 11.Jacob was taking part in the camp for the fourth time."I like being able to go really fast on the water," he said shortly after bringing his Sunfish ashore. "Sailing is a sport that not many people do. It's cool to be able to say that I can sail."
Wolf Goethert, another instructor, has been attending the camp for 16 years. He moved from Pittsburgh to Massachusetts five years ago, but returns annually to help youths enjoy the art of sailing."This is the only event I come back for," he said. "My son is here helping with the Sunfish boats and four of my grandkids are here. It's something I really look forward to."Aside from official instructors, a number of volunteers helped with the week's activities, including dock assistants, rigging and launching assistants and coordinators for the camp picnic, always held Friday afternoon."With this many kids, we use anybody who can give us time, even if it's just for a day," Paviol said.MSC's Youth Sail Camp was begun in 1999 by then-Commodore Joe Shields, who trains people for U.S. Sailing instructor certification. Seventeen youths showed up that first year.The club takes safety very seriously. Kids are not permitted to sign out of the camp without a parent's permission. A safety team, headed by instructor John Cassano, monitors the water in and around Watts Bay for the duration of the camp.Paviol said he hopes some of the kids at this week's camp will take part in activities at the Moraine State Park Regatta, scheduled this weekend.
Mars resident Elise Scott had three children taking to the water in sons Ryan, 15; Mason, 14, and daughter Keira, 12."Learning to sail is an awesome skill," Scott said. "I like the individuality of being on the water. My kids have advanced every year they've been here. This camp is unique and the kids are lucky to have this opportunity."Keira said she likes sailing because it is "relaxing." She previously convinced her friend, Ashlynn Wees, to come to the camp."It didn't take much convincing," Keira added.Wees now has her own boat, which she refurbished with the help of her father.Though the focus is on the kids, everyone involved seems to take enjoyment from the camp.Just ask volunteer Susan Mucha."Look at all of them out there," Mucha said as she stood looking at a group of colorful sails from Watts Bay Marina. "On Monday, someone asked the kids: 'Who's excited?' Every one of them raised their hand."I love this week," she said. "It's my favorite week of the year."
