Parents Handbook
Sailor ResponsibilitiesAll participants are expected to follow the rules and standards for conduct. Grounds Rules
Parking Rules
A Primer on Optimist Racing FleetsAs a parent of a sailor in the Optimist Class, you will hear a lot of talk about "fleets". In races, Optimist Fleets separate sailors into smaller groups of similar age, skill, and/or maturity. In races, each Optimist displays a colored ribbon at the top of its sail (sprit), according to their fleet (Green, White, Blue, or Red). Green Fleet was created for beginner or novice racers and typically have their own race course and race committee. The US Optimist Dinghy Association (USODA) has a Green Fleet Policy, which encourages novices to attend their first regatta and encourages their continued participation in racing. The following must be met to participate in a Green Fleet Regatta:
Once a sailor attains confidence in racing (typically one season), he/she may race in the open division, which contains age-group fleets:
The White, Blue, and Red fleets race together. Trophies are awarded by fleet and by overall scores (independent of age group). Participating in RegattasThe Junior Sailing Program Staff would like to make your travel to and from the regatta a little easier. Before you attend any regatta, you should think about the following things. MembershipsBe sure to have memberships with CBYRA, US Sailing, and your child's respective class association. Many regattas make this a requirement to race. Some parents write these numbers on the inside of their child's lifejacket! LocationThe program director will generally give directions on how to get to the regatta site and the time it takes to get there, however this information is also generally easy to come by online. Launching FacilitiesDoes it have shallow water, floating docks, a long sail out to the course, beaches, etc.? Is there a large enough unloading area? It pays to be early. There are many regatta sites where it is hard to fit in trailers and boats if you are late. Your child may end up launching last and feeling stressed from rushing out to the course before the racing even begins! Supervision/SafetyYou are responsible for the transportation of your children, their supervision, and their gear at regattas.
However, coaches are available for a separate fee outside of their junior program commitments. See the Parent Code of Conduct for more information. Towing ResponsibilitiesWhile the program director will help arrange transportation, it is ultimately your responsibility to transport your child and his/her boat to a regatta or make other transportation arrangements for your child and his/her boat.
Things to Bring to a Regatta
Representing TAYC
What to Bring to Sailing ClassWhat to Wear
Accessories
Every Day Supplies
Please make sure that you mark all clothes, accessories, and supplies with your name in a permanent marker. Daily Packing List
*Please check the weather daily to see if it's necessary to send rain gear as well. We will have sailing class rain or shine, windy or not. If you plan to race
*US Sailing, CBYRA, and your class association memberships are required for many regattas and for CBYRA Highpoint standing so it is important to have them up-to-date before the summer sailing season starts. IF YOU JOIN CBYRA AND US SAILING AT THE SAME TIME YOU WILL RECEIVE A DISCOUNT!!! Boats, Parts, Equipment and GearIf you need parts: try the following suppliers:
WeatherSailing is obviously an outdoor sport, and as such is subject to the weather. The program director will have the final say each day about sending students out onto the water. Weather conditions that may prevent students from going out onto the water are:
Over the entire summer, we usually miss only 3 - 4 days, sometimes only 1/2 days out on the water. This is not something over which we have control. Please remember that safety and fun are the key elements of junior sailing. If sailors cannot go out on the water, the program director and instructors will provide sailing and boating-related activities. Review the Suspension/Cancelation Policy due to River Water Quality.Associations & ClassesThe Tred Avon Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program would not be possible without the support of a number of organizations. The following is a description of those organizations that make our program possible. All Junior Sailing Program participants are encouraged to become members of Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association, US Sailing, and their respective class association. Those juniors who plan to race must become members, as many regattas require this to participate. Tred Avon Yacht ClubTred Avon Yacht Club provides the Junior Sailing Program with facilities and overall support, especially through the Junior Committee and Parent Volunteers. Sailors who are enrolled in the Junior Sailing Program are able to "sail under the burgee" of the club. This means that the sailor is able to participate in sanctioned regional and national regattas under TAYC affiliation.* All sailors of the Junior Sailing Program may participate in TAYC activities and regattas during the program dates. Juniors sailors and their parents may charge meals, registration fees, etc. to their club charge account. Statements will be mailed monthly, you may chose to have your credit card charged automatically at the end of each month to avoid late fees. *Note: Participation in regattas is only possible if affiliated with a sailing club or association. Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing AssociationChesapeake Bay Yachting Racing Association is an organization comprised of over 75 member clubs, more than 50 classes of racing sailboats, and over 1800 individual members from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and North Carolina. The CBYRA website features schedules, results, area yacht clubs, and junior event information. The organization tracks all CBYRA-sanctioned regattas and uses a formula to rank all sailors. This is referred to as the High Point, and it gives the sailor a way of gauging him/herself against all of the other racers in their boat class. To be eligible for a High Point Award at the end of the season, a CBYRA Junior Member must have participated in 5 or more regattas during the year. Members can obtain a copy of the "Red Book," which lists all of the regattas on the bay with dates, logistics, and directions to the events. For more information, please contact CBYRA at (410) 269-1194 or visit them online at www.cbyra.org. US SailingUS Sailing is the governing organization of sailing in the United States. US Sailing handles overall governance of the sport, considers rule issues, promotes the sport throughout the country, certifies instructors, promotes safety at sea, and supports sailboat racing at all levels. US Sailing sponsors regional Junior Olympic Sailing Festivals, which are promotional events/regattas to encourage participation in sailing. Participation in these events requires US Sailing Membership (www.ussailing.org) The Club 420 AssociationThe Club 420 Association provides information on class regulations, rigging tips, and links to other sailing websites. Their website features a classified ad section for purchasing and selling Club 420 parts, equipment, and boats (www.club420.org). United States Optimist Dinghy AssociationUnited States Optimist Dinghy Association is the national sailing class organization for Optimists in the United States (www.usoda.org). It is the US member of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (www.optiworld.org). International Laser Class AssociationInternational Laser Class Association provides information on Laser Class regulations, fleets, and schedules (www.laser.org). International Sailing FederationInternational Sailing Federation is the world governing body for the sport of sailing. Their website features news, events, regatta information, rules, rankings, sailors, and merchandise (www.sailing.org). The Interscholastic Sailing AssociationThe Interscholastic Sailing Association governs secondary school sailing in the United States, in both independent and public high schools. Sailor eligibility starts at the ninth grade. Their website provides an overview of high school sailing and contains a team database, racing information, results, and everything you need to keep up with the latest in high school sailing (www.hssailing.org). |
Contact Us 102 West Strand, P.O. Box 337
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