July 30th, 2009
Based on the feedback I’ve gotten … if you’re reading this you’re an adult. So here are two selfish plugs for the program.
First, we have “Open Sailing” every Wednesday and Thursday evenings starting at 5 p.m. This is for anyone with who wants to go for a sail … with your child who is in the program, with a spouse, or you’re just interested in what’s going on down at the lake. We have three instructors who would be more than happy to introduce you to our boats, help you rig them, and coach you through some sailing. The cost is a mere $30 for a boat, or $15 per person.
Second, we have a BBQ get together on Tuesday August 11th at Breezemere Park. All are welcome.
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July 28th, 2009
The Megunticook Watershed Association conducts routine water quality tests at several points around Norton Pond. Twice in the last month they have gotten test results back which were above federal guidelines for bacteria counts. Here are the explanations for what is being measured and what the Lincolnville Boat Club does in response.
What is measured? I don’t know the full spectrum of the test, but what has come back high is the Enterococci bacteria count. This should be below 61 colonies per 100 ml. When a reading comes back above this an advisory is posted at the beach as a recommendation to the public to avoid water contact activities such as swimming. Advisories are posted when bacteria results exceed the water quality standards for recreational water contact established by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
The primary route of potential infection is through open wounds, so when reading come back high we take measures to keep the kids out of the water … but not necessarily off the water. For example, we do not perform swim tests, capsize drills, or swimming at the end of the day. If the conditions make it likely that boats will tip over and kids will be in the water we either don’t sail at all or we put our instructors in the sailboats to prohibit this.
We also make an attempt to notify the parents when they drop off kids so that they too are aware and can use their discretion as to whether they want their child in the pond. If they do not, we will do everything we can to make sure those students aren’t left out of activities. This may include having them ride in the motor boats and observe the other sailors, or alter the lesson plans for the day to include more land based instruction.
There is no easy way to measure the risks involved … it’s a big body of water and its contents are changing frequently. We would like to think that we are “managing” the risk, but we are open to any suggestions from parents or the community.
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July 23rd, 2009
It’s not much fun to sail in the rain … we know that. On the other hand, we have an obligation to hold the classes which you paid for. This is a note of what we do with the kids on rainy days.
We go sailing anyway! This is always your first option (so long as there is no lightning). Rain is a downer but it’s not going to melt us, so out to the lake we go. Understanding that nobody wants to be cold and wet for hours you can expect a longer than usual “instruction” time under the band stand before and after sailing. As an aside, frequently the lake water is warmer and you’ll find the kids swimming to warm up.
We tie knots! There is lots to learn about sailing that can be taught off the water. These include learning to tie knots, determining who has the rights of way on the water, reading maps, interpreting the wind, communications between crew, racing techniques, etc. We purposefully put this off till it rains.
We go on an outing! Although we love our band stand it’s not that warm and is only mostly dry. So on occasion we will venture up to Drakes Corner store for a treat, typically pizza or ice cream. Our other alternative is to hike over the the Lincolnville Central School where we have access to the gym. This is, without a doubt, a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon. They have all the best PE equipment you could want! The kids always come away warmed up and physically exhausted. This is our best alternative to sailing day after day in the rain (oh, like we have this summer!!). If we go this route we are always back to the bands stand by the end of class.
There you have it, what goes on in the rain.
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July 23rd, 2009
This has been one of the soggiest summers on record! Which brings up the topic of what to do when it rains. Our day time programs run as scheduled, though parents certainly have the prerogative to keep their kids home for a day–we’ll understand.
As for the adult programs, we recognize that you are out to enjoy sailing and doing it in the rain is a bummer. We are much more flexible in rescheduling these classes, and as such we may cancel them if the weather is extremely poor. You will get a phone call from us at least 2 hours before class if that is the case.
Rescheduling is mostly up to the individual class participants–it’s your schedule that will most likely determine when you can make it, not ours. So if a class is canceled, its make-up date/time will be discussed at the following class. Not everyone needs to agree on a single date, we’ve had individuals who missed a Women’s class who spent time in the Adult class to make up the time and visa verse. We also have other nights open when we can be available and even weekends.
So, if you find your class is canceled, please feel free to work with us to make that class up – we’re here to give you instruction you paid for.
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June 29th, 2009
Oh to have some sun! But at least we had some breeze. Perhaps the foggiest we’ve seen it on Norton’s pond in three years. But that didn’t stop us from getting out on the water.
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June 10th, 2009
I’ve gotten several questions about the age limit for our youth courses. Here’s my response.
We have a “general” rule of 10 y.o. We are somewhat flexible on this so long as the parents are aware of two points. First, the boats we sail are easier to operate if a student has the size and agility of your average 10 y.o. Second, the student needs to be able to listen, interpret, and perform instructions as they are given.
Having said that, we have had participants as young as 8 who did fine and kids as old as 12 who did not. So we are open to letting the parents take on some of this decision making process (and responsibility), since they know their child best.
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June 10th, 2009
Students at Lincolnville Central School were able to enjoy two days of fun
and fog on the pond once again this year courtesy of the LBC. Tuesday started well at 8:45 with a good breeze for the 6th graders. By the time the 5th grade came out it had started to rain but they had a good time. We decided to abandon the afternoon session (no wind and rain).
Wednesday morning did not look promising but we decided to press on not
really having a backup plan. Steady mist and chilly temps did not deter Seth and Rebecca from taking out the rest of the students including all 25 7th graders.
Thanks so much to Seth, Rebecca, Steve, and Paul for getting 95 students out
sailing.
Tags: LCS
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June 8th, 2009
On Saturday we put three of our six boats in the water! These are new boats that we purchased last fall–newer models by 10 years which are lighter, faster, and rigged for racing! We’re excited.
With the help of Dallas, a professional diver, the anchors holding down the float were moved. This was a great help since the float had shifted over the past two years.
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May 10th, 2009
All of our courses are focused on educating individuals to the joys of sailing. We hope the diverse choices in youth courses will help those families with scheduling conflicts. We utilize U.S. Sailing certified instructors in all of our courses.
The boats we sail are Vanguard 420’s which are ideal – they are simple enough to be operated by an individual with no experience, yet they have most all of the complexities of larger keelboats sailing in the ocean.
All lessons except ocean sailing will be taught on Norton Pond at Breezemere Park in Lincolnville, Maine.
Youth classes
Afternoon Youth classes | 1pm-4:30pm | 2 weeks long
Session 1: (June 29 to July 10) Beginner & intermediate/youth sailing
Session 2: (July 13 to July 24) Beginner & intermediate/youth sailing
Full day Youth classes | 10am-4:30pm | 1 week long
Session 3: (June 27 to July 31) Beginner & intermediate/youth sailing
Session 4: (August 3 to August 7) Beginner & intermediate/youth sailing
Session 5: (August 17 to August 21) Advanced/youth sailing
Evening classes
Teen/Adult/Families sailing | 5 pm to 7:30 pm | 8 weeks long
Session A: (June 30 to August 18) Tuesday Women’s sailing introduction
Session B: (July 1 to August 19) Wednesday Adult sailing
Ocean introduction to sailing | two 4-week sessions
Session C: date to be determined
Open Sailing: Wednesday and Thursday 5 pm-7 pm
The cost of youth programs are $175 per sailor.
The cost of evening sessions are $240 per sailor.
Open Sailing $30 per boat per evening.
Tags: 2009, adult, boat, Classes, lincolnville, sailing, Vanguard 420, youth
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