Parents,
The
summer will be over before we know it and so it’s time to start thinking about
the fall! This email has important information you need to know to start
planning for the season. This fall we are offering three Opti fleets:
Lime, Green and RWB. Fleet descriptions are below, please let me know if you
are unsure as to which fleet to sign your sailor up for. Additionally, please
mark your calendars for our preseason parents
meeting on Wednesday, August 30th at 6pm.
2017 Fall
Lime Fleet
Lime
Fleet is designated for beginner sailors fresh out of our summer learn to sail
programs. The emphasis is on basic seamanship, rigging, steering, sail control,
balance, boat handling, safety, learning, and fun! Through classroom and
on-the-water activities, students are introduced to water safety, boat
controls, basic sailing maneuvers, basic seamanship, wind direction, sailing a
course, navigation and marine ecology. Lime Fleet sailors are between 7
and 10 years old. Ultimately the goal for students of Lime Fleet is to build
self-reliance and confidence through sailing an Optimist without another
student, or Instructor in the boat. Sailing alone demonstrates the proficiency
we intend for every sailor. Prerequisite: Sailors have completed summer sailing
Levels 2, 3 or recommended by their coach. Sailors should have an interest in
sailing and are able to sail their own boat.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Sundays,
12-4pm
Sept
10,17,24
Oct
1,8,15,22,29
Nov
5,12,19 (practice will be weather dependent)
2017 Fall Green Fleet
Green
Fleet is a beginner and intermediate level Optimist racing program, designed to
build on the basic sailing and racing skills. Green Fleet sailors are typically
between 8-12 years old. Green fleet sailors are strongly encouraged to purchase
their own Optimist or they can charter a Club Opti in the fall. The curriculum
focuses on improving sailors' boat handling, racing skills and rules knowledge.
Green Fleet sailors learn more about small boat racing, including tactics
and race courses. Sportsmanship, care of and responsibility for equipment is
emphasized in all activities. The Green Fleet sailors are strongly encouraged
to travel to both local and national regattas. Regattas help create personal
connections and relationships with other young sailors from different Clubs.
Prerequisites: Sailors have sailed in at least one season of Lime fleet, sailed
in a regatta or have shown advancement in boat-handling, seamanship, and general
knowledge.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Saturdays
and Sundays, 12-4pm
(unless
there is a *scheduled regatta)
Sept 9-10
Sept
16-17 *USODA Midwest Championship
Sept
23-24
Sept
30-Oct1
Oct 7-8
*Junior Olympic Sailing Festival Michigan Championship
Oct 14-15
Oct 21-22
Oct 28-29
*Halloween Spectacular
Nov 4-5
Nov 11-12
Nov 18-19
(practice will be weather dependent)
Dec 26-30
*Orange Bowl Regatta (Important note: Orange Bowl registration opens
on Sept 11 at 8am and fills up fast!)
Feb 2-4 * Valentine’s
Day Regatta
March 2-4 *Sunshine
State Championship
March 9-11 *Gulf Coast
Championship
2017 Fall RWB Fleet
The Red, White
and Blue (RWB) Fleet is for intermediate to advanced Opti sailors who are ready
to compete at the highest level and are under 15 years of age. The Opti RWB
Team competes in many local events, but also prepares sailors for national and
international Optimist events. RWB focuses on advanced boat-handling, strategy,
conditioning and tactics. The sailors become exposed to a strong team
atmosphere, learning both fleet racing and team racing skills. Prerequisites:
Sailors have advanced past the Green fleet curriculum and own their own
Optimist.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Wednesdays
4-7pm
Saturdays
and Sundays, 9am-4pm
(unless
there is a *scheduled regatta)
Sept 6
Sept 9-10
Sept 13
Sept
16-17 *USODA Midwest Championship
Sept 20
Sept
23-24
Sept 27
Sept
30-Oct1
Oct 4
Oct 6-9
*USODA SE Championship
Oct 11
Oct 14-15
Oct 18
Oct 21-22
Oct 25
Oct 28-29
*Halloween Spectacular
Nov 1
Nov 4-5
Nov 8
Nov 11-12
Nov 15
Nov 18-19
(practice will be weather dependent)
Nov 24-26
*USODA Midwinter Championship
Dec 26-30
*Orange Bowl Regatta (Important note: Orange Bowl registration opens
on Sept 11 at 8am and fills up fast!)
Jan 12-15 *USODA Team
Race Midwinter Championship
Jan TBD *Mexico Heavy
Wind Clinic w/ Coach Hector
Feb 2-4 * Valentine’s
Day Regatta
March 2-4 *Sunshine
State Championship
March 9-11 *Gulf
Coast Championship
GENERAL INFORMATION
Parent Meeting
We will have a Opti parents
meeting on August 30th at 6pm to go over our season calendar and
other information you need to know for the fall.
Opti Blog
Please subscribe to the CYC Opti Blog! The Blog is used for team communication. If
you are not already subscribed, enter your email address in the “Follow by
E-Mail” box (top right) to get posts e-mailed to you. On the Blog you can find
our Google Calendar, the regatta schedules and regatta signup sheets. I will be
showing how to use the blog at our parents meeting.
Regattas
Green and RWB sailors
are expected to attend as many of our supported regattas as possible. Sailing
in regattas is an important part of the learning process, engenders team unity,
and is one of the most fun aspects of junior sailing. To register for regattas,
you need to sign up on the Blog in addition to registering for the event. Mark your calendars: Orange Bowl registration opens at 8am on
September 11th and fills up in the first 30 minutes after opening.
Series Racing
This fall we are
introducing series racing! There will be 3 series races held during practices
in the fall. Parents are encouraged to watch on the sea wall or help out with
Race Committee if you have a powerboat. Series racing for RWB and
Green fleet will be scored separately. The overall results from the 3 race days
will be determined and trophies will be awarded to the top three boats in each fleet
at the fall banquet on November 29th. Fall Series races are
scheduled for October 1st, October 15th, and November 5th.
CHARTER OR BUY A BOAT?
If your child wants to continue
with Green Fleet, it is highly recommended that you purchase an Opti. Places
you can find Optis for sale: USODA.org (and sign up your child as a member), Sturgis
Boat Works and McLaughlin has used charter boats. Look online and please send
us information on the boat before buying.
Lime
fleet and green fleet sailors who do not own an Opti can charter one from the
Yacht Club. Sailors
that wish to charter will be assigned their own hull, sail/spars, and blade. On
the first day of practice, these assignments are given along with a charter
agreement form that the sailor and parent must sign. The
charter fee is $100 for the fall season. Sailors must report any damage or
repairs needed to their coach immediately and these will be fixed or replaced.
Gear
Sailors will need additional warmer sailing gear for the fall.
- warm base layers made for sailing
(hydrophobic material)
- Long sleeve tech shirts and clothes that can get wet
- Closed toed shoes or dinghy boots
- Fleece hat
- Spray top
- Spray pants
- Gloves
- Dry suit (recommended for the fall, required for the
spring)
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, rash guard)
- Coast Guard Type III approved Life Jacket.
- Refillable water bottle
- Towel and a change of clothes
- Gear bag
Be
sure to put your child’s name on everything! Please
let me know if you have any questions. I’m looking forward to a fantastic fall
season!
Julia Melton
