Sailing “Oh yeah”

by Jesse Jaymes Capazario on Friday, July 19, 2024

Ready to set sail?

Our campers have the unique opportunity to navigate the waters of Lake Summit aboard our fleet of sailing boats. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor, or a curious beginner, our sailing activity is designed to provide a wonderful and educational experience.

Under the guidance of our skilled instructors, including J.G.B. you’ll learn the essentials of sailing, from mastering the basics of wind to understanding the intricacies of boat handling.

Join us for an unforgettable adventure on the water.

One of our camp counselors teaching the boys the basics on the sailing docks.

Sailing Preps

But first, we need to learn the nomenclature of a boat.

To name a few, we have the hull, which is the main body of the boat, along with the mast, the tall vertical pole that supports the sail. The jib is a triangular sail set ahead of the mast.The rudder is used to steer the keel which is the fin-like structure beneath the boat that provides stability. The sheet is the line used to control the angle of the sails relative to the wind.

The left side of the boat (facing the jib) is called the port side, while the right side is referred to as the starboard.

The boys at camp learn how to navigate and steer their sailboat around the lake, even when solo.

We also need to be aware of the points of wind when sailing. When sailing, understanding the points of sail is crucial for navigating effectively through the water. These consist of:

In Irons also known as the “No Sail Zone” this is when the boat is pointed directly into the wind and cannot sail effectively.
Close-Hauled is when the boat is sailing typically at an angle of about 45 degrees to the wind.
Close Reach consists of the boat sailing slightly off the wind, between close-hauled and beam reach.
Beam Reach is when the wind is coming directly from the side (90 degrees) of the boat. This is often the fastest and most comfortable point of sail.
Broad Reach consists of the boat sailing with the wind coming from behind, at an angle, typically between beam reach and running.
Running aka “Downwind” is when the wind is coming from directly behind the boat. The sails are let out all the way, and the boat moves directly downwind.

It is crucial to understand the points of wind in order to have effective sailing.

Progressions

This allows the boys to ensure they truly understand the basics of sailing andwhat makes them true sailors of the sea.

Progressions for sailing include writing the International Phonetic Alphabet, being able to rig and derig a sailboat in under 2 minutes as well as being able to teach an effective capsize recovery lesson to other campers.