Junior Sailing
at Hempstead Harbour Club
By Chris Lucas

It won’t be long before thoughts start shifting to summer afternoons on the water.  For those with children or grandchildren, what better summer activity can you provide a child than learning to sail at our own HHC?

HHC’s Junior Sailing Committee has been hard at work since the end of last season to make certain that the 2010 season is our best ever.  Our club’s program caters to both first-time sailors as well as experienced racers and is open to both members and non-members.  Sailors as young as 8 years old learn basic sailing skills, seamanship, water safety and are introduced to racing while older and more advanced sailors refine their sailing and racing skills to prepare for the many regattas the club will be participating in. 

HHC’s Junior Sailing program is seven weeks long and runs from late June through early August (program start date is tentatively Monday, June 28^th).  Our program is led by the club’s staff of US Sailing-certified instructors who provide a learning experience that is both fun and safe.  Mark Dougherty will be returning as Head Instructor as will our own Greta Hayes.  New to our staff this year is John Keneally.  John is a senior at University of Washington and has been a sailing instructor at Manhasset Bay and Port

[Click here to see more photos from last year]

Washington Yacht Clubs where he taught beginner, intermediate and advanced Opti, Blue Jay, Pixel and Laser sailors. John will be a terrific addition to our staff.

Fees & Discounts

In these economically challenging times, I am happy to report that the Base Fee for the program will remain the same as 2009 – a bargain at $595, and is reduced to $495 if payment is received in full by April 30th.  There is an additional Boat Use Fee of $135 for students who don’t have their own Opti, Blue Jay or Pixel, and Non-Members pay an additional fee of $195.  If you have two or more children in the Program, you get a 10% discount off of all fees.  New this year is our “Refer a Friend” campaign.  In an effort to further grow our Junior Sailing program, simply refer another family to our program and both families will receive a $40 discount when they register  (limit one referral discount per family).   Get your applications in early to take advantage of these great discounts!

Help make this a memorable summer for the young ones in your life.  An application is available here.   As in the past, adult sailing instruction will also be available and makes a great gift for your non-sailing spouse.  Email me at HHCJuniorSailing@gmail.com or call me at 516-674-2412 if you have a candidate or any questions concerning the program.