From Little Washington Sailing School

 

The Little Washington Sailing School is beginning its seventh year with a bigger fleet and more dock space.

The school has added six Optimist Prams, which will allow it to start children at the age of 8. The Optis are 8-foot dinghies used for junior sailing globally — there are 100,000 sailing around the world. One is on display at the North Carolina Estuarium in Washington.

Six Vanguard 420s will continue to serve students ages 11- 16. These 14-footers call for more crew weight and are designed for older, and sometimes more experienced, sailors.

All students will learn to launch, retrieve and sail the boats. The school promotes self-reliance, safety, teamwork, sportsmanship, respect for others and self-confidence.

LWSS has two great instructors — Zak Mathews and Jay Campbell — both of whom are U.S. Sailing certified, and both are back with the school for a second season. LWSS benefits from their experience and capability; they provide  students a fun learning experience.

There will be nine one-week sessions beginning June 15. The last session (Aug. 10) is specifically designed for more advanced students with an emphasis on racing, culminating with the Dog Days Regatta, hosted by Capt. Sam’s Boatyard and the Pamlico Sailing Club, on Aug. 15.

The one-week sailing program costs $225, and there are a few scholarships available. Additional scholarships are offered by area civic groups and individuals, so children who might not afford sailing lessons otherwise can have a great learn-to-sail experience. In that regard, LWSS is also working with special programs such as PAL and the Special Olympics.

Little Washington Sailing School is a non-profit community sailing program in Washington, whose mission is to teach kids to sail, bring the community together to support sailing, and to raise awareness of Washington’s waterfront assets.

For full information visit www.littlewashingtonsailingschool.org or facebook.com/LittleWashingtonSailingSchool. Applications are available online or at the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce at the corner of Market Street and Stewart Parkway in Washington. Inquiries by telephone should be made to 252-402-7878.