Women’s Sailing

2023

Registration for 2023 – A survey/registration form will be sent to all EYC female members and will be the vehicle for registration for the summer women’s sailing programs offered mornings and evenings. We are opening registration with the survey/registration email. Confirmations and class placement will be announced at the Kick Off party in April. Classes are filled first come-first serve; substitute/waitlist places will be available.

The 2023 women’s sailing program will offer advanced sailing classes as well as our basic and intermediate sailing classes. Emilie Blinderman (sailing instructor, varsity racing coach at Connecticut College) has been working at EYC as a coach will be in charge of the advanced women’s sailing. Basic and Intermediate sailing classes will be offered for both morning and evening sessions. Advanced sailing will be available in the evening class. Discussions are ongoing regarding offering advanced classes in the morning session. The basic and intermediate lessons will operate the same as last year with an instruction book and class chapter outline coupled with a chalk talk and practice on the water. Deb Pearl (Level 1 USSA Certified Sailing Instructor) will be the instructor for the AM and PM basic and intermediate classes. The advanced lessons will be taught by Emilie Blinderman and will operate with an advanced instruction book and will include building skills and introducing racing concepts. Mentors will be utilized for the basic and intermediate classes. No mentors will be needed for the advanced classes.

CALENDAR:
Classes begin Mondays June 5th and continue on June 12, 19, 26, July 3rd skip for holiday, Continue July 10, 17, 24 and 31. A Special Women's Sailing Clinic is offered May 24th Wednesday at 5:30, Kick Off Party April 20th Thursday evening 6PM.

Those registered will receive a weekly RSVP/confirmation. Please contact Deb Pearl if you have not yet registered. Deb Pearl >> 

We also have three Wednesdays with neighboring clubs. Read more about Women On the River >>

SIGN-UP for Crew Opportunities
Click here >>

August Race Series

August 1 & 3, 5 p.m.
R.S.V.P. Mary-Lawrence Bickford
View Notice of Race (NoR) >>

BRIEF

If you’ve sailed with us in the past, we’ve got your name for e-notifications. If this is your first foray, email Deb Pearl, Program Co-chair >>,  so that she can add your name to the email list.
   

WHO:

  • Beginners
  • Experienced racers
  • Recreational crew
  • Competitive crew
  • Moms with children learning to sail
   

WHEN:

  • Monday Mornings & Evenings,
  • Two-Hours Each Session
  • Eight weeks
  • Sign-up for either a.m., p.m., or both
  • Each boat has a qualified mentor on board for beginner and intermediate classes.
   

FEE:

$185.00 for the 8-weeks

 

CHOOSE YOUR REASONS:

  • To relax while sailing on the river
  • To enjoy the camaraderie of apres-sail dinner with friends
  • To learn what your children are learning in their separate lessons
  • To helm a family boat
  • To get qualified as a club mentor
  • To get qualified to sail an Ideal 18 alone anytime you like
  • To learn racing techniques and rules
   

THE VIBE:

  • Relaxed yet educational
  • Fun, comfortable sailing with other women on the beautiful Connecticut River
  • Apres-sail buffet: Compare notes about the session, relax in a beautiful setting,
  • Create friendships and memories.
   

WHAT IS AN IDEAL 18?

Essex Yacht Club has a fleet of eight Ideal 18s, docked beside the Club. Each dinghy is 18' long with a fixed keel. Just four lines in the cockpit control the set of the furling jib. Enormously exhilarating to race! Literally the IDEAL boat for anyone who wants to learn and enjoy sailing. Plus, the EYC women's race team has had plenty of wins in regattas with nearby clubs.
 

THE COMMITTEE:

Terry Parkinson (co-chair), Deb Pearl (co-chair), Past Commodore Marily MacKinnon, Kacey Constable, Kathleen Maher, Mari Dow, Mary Giudotti, Sara Conner, Pru Rice, Susan Abbot, and Denise Lavoie, Amy Reinhart, Mary-Lawrence Bickford, Val Shickel
 

INSTRUCTORS:

TBD