The Harp Young Sailors
The
Optimist
The Optimist dinghy (or Oppie) is a wonderful boat for children to learn to
sail. It has a single sail, can accommodate 1 or 2 children, is very stable,
and is very difficult to capsize. Children from 8 years upwards can learn to
sail the Oppie with the Harp Young Sailors (HYS).
Getting Children Started
There are number of ways of getting children sailing. Below are some suggestions,
but whichever option you choose please be aware of the safety issues and ensure
that your child is always in a safe environment – for sailing this usually means
having safety boat cover provided by trained individuals. Wembley Sailing Club
works with the Harp Young Sailors (HYS) to provide youth training during the
warmer months. Places are restricted as there are a limited number of instructors
and youth boats. Demand for places is always high
In the first Instance
You are advised to contact children@wembleysailingclub.co.uk to check the current
situation. It may be easier to place a child who can already sail. Advice can
be given to parents who are competent sailors and wish to teach their child/children
to sail.
Crewing for experienced sailors is a long established method way of learning
to sail though it can be difficult making the right match.
Need to talk to someone?
For more information the Wembley Sailing Club web site provides details of the
club committee members including the youth representative. Please email children(at)wembleysailingclub.co.uk
with any queries and you will be passed to the person that can best assist you.
You could come and see what is provided and talk so someone during the training.
You might want to put your child's name on the waiting list.
Want to help?
Children sailing requires a lot of parental and volunteer help. If you would
like to get involved and can help with any of the following then please get
in touch. Shore duties such as boat rigging training rescue boat driver, socials
such as the BBQ
.
Harp Young Sailors (HYS)
Harp Young Sailors comprises instructors and trainees from three of the sailing
clubs on the Welsh Harp Wembley SC, BTYC and Seahorse SC. The three clubs combined
provide a variety of youth boats - Toppers, Lasers and Picos - which supplement
the Wembley Sailing Club's 12 club Oppies to provide a comprehensive range of
craft to suit all ages and experience.
We try to make sessions as interesting as possible for the children, by having
picnic cruises, mini races and ball games on the water, followed by a tea, in
the clubhouse or a picnic or BBQ on the grass..
The
Oppie Club was the brainchild of Rob & Jeanette O'neill (pictured left)
but they have been helped by Charmian, John, Jane, Judie, Liz. Tony and Jean
plus a loyal band of helpers who turn out on every occasion to make each session
a success.
The Children are given the responsibility for rigging the boats (the younger
children helped by their parents)
From humble beginings it has developed into a thriving Sunday afternoon activity.
The other clubs at the Harp have joined in to form the Harp Young Sailors,
we now have Toppers, Cadets, Fireflies & Picos.
Beginners
Club
The
youth beginner group will be training on a Saturday morning to help accommodate
the numbers whilst providing good quality coaching.
"The beginners club timings:
2008 Saturday Beginners Club Dates Click
here
Intermediate and Advanced Group
"The intermediate and advanced sailors train on
Sundays - from 1.30pm to 5pm.
Remember, boats will be allocated
between 1.30 and 2.00pm, so you should sign on and be ready to rig boats at
1.30. Please do not arrive late, as it may leave you without a boat or a group
to sail with
2008 Intermediate & Advanced Group
click here.
HYS Safety
At all times children must wear buoyancy aids which are supplied by the club.
Parents or Guardians must remain within the vicinity of the pontoons in order
to take charge of their children when they come ashore. Safety boat cover is
provided whilst children are on the water.
Wembley Sailing Club Children's Sailing
For those parents who find that Saturday morning is not convenient for them
to take their children sailing, the club are running their own Sunday afternoon
session, you can find out more by contacting children@wembleysailingclub.co.uk
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