Sailing Summer Camp

 

2024 ECSA Parent Handbook – this will answer all of your questions (click on this link)


Summer of 2024 is here and the best place to have your kids spend their summer is on the water, learning valuable life lessons and building self-confidence.  Our programs are open to EVERYONE and we welcome youth ages 7 –  18  (6 1/2 year old is allowed if the child can swim and the parent approves).

SCHEDULE:  Camp is M – F, 9am – 3:00pm (kids will be swimming and available for pickup by 2:50pm)
LOCATION:  Fort Walton Yacht Club  (www.fwyc.org).  The address is 180 Ferry Rd. NE, FWB, FL 32548
SAILBOATS: Opti, Taz, Laser, 420, Open Skif’s and Flying Scots
Enroll now for kids aged 7 – 18 for $340.  Learn to Race is $355.

Session  Dates Classes offered
Week 1  June 3 – 7, 2024 Beginner I & II, Windsurfing
Week 2 June 10 – 14, 2024 Beginner I & II, Windsurfing
Week 3 June 17– 21, 2024 Beginner I, II, Windsurfing, & Learn to Race
Week 4 June 24 – 28, 2024 Beginner I & II, Windsurfing
Week 5 July 8 – 12, 2024 Beginner I, II, & Learn to Race
Week 6 July 15 – 19, 2024 Beginner I & II
Week 7 July 22 – 26, 2024 Beginner I, II, & Learn to Race
Week 8 July 29 – August 2, 2024 Beginner I & II

IMPORTANT!  You can only register ONE child at a time.  This child can do multiple camps and receive a multi-camp discount.  

Our Sailing Instructors are very excited to start.  We have a fantastic schedule planned.  Typical day will have on-shore, then on-the-water: learning, fun activities and skill building.  It will be the best Summer Camp in Okaloosa County!

SAILORS DAILY ITEMS TO BRING

Please label all equipment and clothing with the sailor’s First and Last name in large block letters (Names should be on the back of Life Jackets). ECSA is not responsible for lost items. Sailors are solely responsible for keeping track of the personal equipment they bring and use.

–         Coast Guard Approved Life Jacket and whistle (helmets available upon request)
–         Appropriate Shoes (closed-toe shoes: soft/boat/water shoes) must be worn at all times.  Flip-flops or open toe shoes are NOT ALLOWED per US Sailing)
–         Water Bottle – refillable (to be handed out the first day of camp)
–         Sun screen, lip block, hat, sunglasses  (Parents, please apply sunscreen when you drop your child off.  Due to  SafeSport (https://uscenterforsafesport.org) and US Sailing rules, Sailing Instructors are NOT ALLOWED to apply sunscreen to your child.  We do have sunscreen available and encourage the sailors to apply several times per day.)
–         Extra clothes, towel, bathing suit
–         Rain gear, if weather suggests
–         Lunch from home (except on Friday’s Awards and Pizza Party)

Cool drinks and snacks will be served during the session, but the ECSA water bottle may be handy when you are out on the water.   Parents are welcome to stay and watch.  In case of emergency, you can reach us at Fort Walton Yacht Club Phone 850-243-7102 or Sailing Director’s Cell Phone 828-736-1119.

COVID19 has brought new safety procedures for parents, campers and staff.  We will be providing each camper: 1 water bottle, 1 neck gaiter (buff), and sanitizing stations  to wash hands regularly.  Each camper will be assigned a sailboat to use for the week, thus minimizing possible contamination.  Camper’s temperature will be taken regularly to ensure they are healthy.  Children must wear a buff or mask if told to by a Sailing Instructor.

Also, as stated in the Parent Handbook, we do not allow refunds or camp rescheduling unless there is a medical reason or high temperature detected.

 

BEGINNER SAILING I

Ages 7 – 17
Camps 1 – 8 will have Beginner Sailing I option
Monday – Friday, 9am – 3:30pm
Location – Fort Walton Yacht Club
Cost:  $340

Never too young to sail! This program is designed to help young children who have never sailed before or have done 1 sailing camp in the past become more comfortable around the water and on boats. Young students will participate in the basic learning activities and games with a focus on building confidence, safety, and fun.

The older students will learn safety skills such as righting a capsized boat, as well as basic nomenclature and rigging/derigging skills. The students will learn how to safely leave and return to the beach and will be able to sail more confidently. The basics of tacking, jibing, and docking/beaching will be covered.

General water safety rules, Equipment maintenance, Capsize drill, Knowledge of wind direction, Sailing Position, Knot tying (eight, square, bowline), Knowledge of boat parts, Rigging, Derigging, Reaching, Safety position, Tacking, Jibing, Beach landing, Basic sail trim, Upwind/Downwind Sail Trim, Points of Sail, Hiking Tiller, and Getting out of Irons.

Younger kids (typically 7-12 years old and less than 115 lbs) will be in Opti’s and Taz’s.  If it’s windy, we may put several kids on a laser with a Sailing Instructor skippering (they’ll have a blast doing this).
Older and bigger kids (typically 12-18 years old) will be in Sunfish, Aqua Finn, Laser, FEVA’s and 420’s.  If it’s windy, we may put several big kids on a Flying Scot with a Sailing Instructor skippering (great boat to learn on).

ALL CAMPS 1 – 8 have Beginner I sessions.  (If you are not sure which class to enroll your child, it’s OK.  The instructors will continuously evaluate the kids and teach them accordingly.)

BEGINNER SAILING II

Ages 9 – 18
Camps 1 – 8 will have Beginner Sailing II option  (requires Beginner I completion)
Monday – Friday, 9am – 3:30pm
Location – Fort Walton Yacht Club
Cost:  $340

This class is for kids who have the basics covered and are ready to expand their skills (kids that have taken at least 1 or preferably more sailing camps in the past).  Sailors will work on sailing more efficiently including tacking, jibing, upwind and downwind sailing. Sailors should feel comfortable sailing independently. This class is a continuation of Beginner Sailing I and a stepping stone to “Learn to Race”.

Younger kids (typically 7-12 years old and less than 115 lbs) will be in Opti’s and Taz’s.  If it’s windy, we may put several kids on a laser with a Sailing Instructor skippering (they’ll have a blast doing this).
Older and bigger kids (typically 12-18 years old) will be in Sunfish, Aqua Finn, Laser, FEVA’s and 420’s.  If it’s windy, we may put several big kids on a Flying Scot with a Sailing Instructor skippering (great boat to learn on).

(If you’re not sure, we recommend Begginer I and then the Sailing Instructors can transition them to Begginer II as they prove themselves.  Or, sign them up for Beginner I as a refresher and then Beginner II the following week.)

ALL CAMPS 1 – 8 have Beginner II sessions.

LEARN TO RACE

Ages 9 – 18
Camps 3, 5 and 7 will have “Learn to Race” option (requires Beginner I & II completion)
Monday – Friday, 9am – 3:30pm
Location – Fort Walton Yacht Club
Cost:  $355

This class teaches kids the basics of sailboat racing.  It covers the Rules of the Road, How to Start, How to race, How to do penalties, and much more.  Sailboat racing is a Lifelong Sport.  We just had a 96 year old man compete in the old FISH sailboats last year and it was inspiring.  Get your kids hooked on a wonderful sport that is challenging, great for fitness, and good for stress-relief.  We recommend this class for kids that want to join the OPTI Race Team or High School Race Team.

LEARN TO WINDSURF

Ages 10-18 years old
Camps 1, 2, 3 and 4 will have “Learn to Windsurf” option  (requires Beginner I completion)
Monday – Friday, 9am – 3:30pm
Location – Fort Walton Yacht Club
Cost:  $340

Description:

This class is for kids who are ready to try something new. New windsurfers will work on tacking, jibing, upwind and downwind sailing. Windsurfers will feel comfortable windsurfing independently by the end of the course. This class is an introduction to windsurfing and a stepping stone to more advanced high performance sailing. Minimum requirement for this course is 10 years old and at least one previous sailing course, and foundation knowledge of sailing.

JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM

Ages 14 – 18

This volunteer program trains young sailors to become leaders by teaching other young sailors how to sail. Must be involved in High School Sailing, or up to that ability, and want to assist in teaching beginners how to sail.

Applicants must be 14 – 18 years of age. If you are interested in this program, please email: [email protected].