LEARN TO SAIL RIGHT HERE IN GULFPORT
This fall and winter you can be sailing around Boca Ciega Bay in a 16.5’ Catalina self righting self baling sailboat or crewing on a 35’ “big boat “ under an experienced captain.
It’s easy and surprisingly inexpensive. All you have to do is hurry up and register for the Boca Ciega Yacht Club’s fall sail school before September 8. Wednesday evening, September 9 is the first class in this fall’s sailing school.
When you have successfully completed the program four weeks later, (5 Wednesday evening classes and 4 weekend sailing sessions) and you join the Club, you’re ready to sail. What’s really nice is that you can try out the Club for three months since the dues are paid as a reward for successfully completing the course, (almost no one quits after three months).
The five Wednesday evening sessions, in conjunction with an excellent text book, teach essential sailing and safety skills. Instructors are long time sailers with strong training and many years of experience in Florida waters. The four, half day weekend sessions are “:hands on” sailing” out on Boca Ciega Bay. The aforementioned 16.5 ft. Catalinas are used with one “captain” for every 2 students.
When you are done you should be able to rig the sails of a small boat; asses the wind and sail away from the dock; perform the basic maneuvers of tacking, jibing and trimming sails and sail safely back to the dock. You will also been taught federal equipment and procedure requirements related to safe sailing and much more as provided by the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
The best news is that this local sail school program is the lowest priced in the Tampa Bay Area at $225 per person. The added bonus of the first quarter BCYC dues to successful students makes this opportunity an especially attractive one.
Because the BCYC Sail School starts soon, you must decide quickly or you will have to wait until spring for the next session, (membership is open year round). For more information, visit the BCYC Website at www.sailbcyc.org. If you want to reserve a spot in the school, call Jennifer Rogers at 727-345-7544 now!