beginner windsurfing & sailing

Beginner Windsurfing and Sailing Camp

In this hands-on week of camp, kids and teens (ages 9-15) are grouped into small teams and introduced to the fundamentals of these challenging, and cerebrally-stimulating watersports.

As activities that can be performed over a lifetime, both produce a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in kids. And, to ensure campers get the most out of these activities, Shoreline’s experienced and well-qualified instructors provide a supportive learning environment covering water safety, board and boat handling basics, rigging and de-rigging as well as knot tying.

At the start of their week-long session, windsurfers practice first on a land simulator in order to understand wind direction and board handling before heading out on their own.

Subsequently, additional topics (that also delve into sailing) are covered, including jibing, tacking, upwind sailing, helmsmanship, docking, and setting a basic sailing course. Then daily, on-the-water sailing exercises progressively develop each essential skill.

With regard to sailing specifically, campers alternate skipper and crew duties with their sailing partners to learn both positions. Finally, at the end of session, to give each camper an objective idea of their progress, an individualized skills assessment is issued and surrounding Baylands area into their own personal field-study laboratory.

You’ll learn the following skills:

• Safety – Life Jackets, Buddy system, Dock Etiquette, Tying Knots
• Fundamentals – Nomenclature, Wind Direction, Sail Theory, Rigging & Derigging
• Basic Rig Handling – Sail Carrying, Balancing, Self Rescue
• Boat Orientation – Crew Responsibilities, Basic Steering, Tacking, Jibing, Sail Trim
• Capsizing, Cleating, Docking, Man Overboard, Course Selection, and more...

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To Keep in Mind: Campers should be comfortable swimming and treading water, be able to submerge their heads under water, behave prudently if a capsize occurs, and be in adequate physical shape to engage in the Camp’s activities. If in doubt, please contact your doctor. In addition Campers and/or parents must notify a staff member regarding any medical condition of which the instructor should be made aware. Although you may provide your own, Shoreline does provide PFDs (life vests) and wetsuits.

A lunch catered by the American Bistro is included with this camp. Lunch selections vary by day and include a vegetarian option each day.

What to Bring

Every day Campers should bring a towel, bathing suit and two sets of dry, comfortable clothes (They will get WET – in the morning and again in the afternoon.). In addition, they should also bring a jacket or fleece, lots of sun protection, a reusable water bottle, and shoes or booties to wear while on the boats and in the water. No flip-flops allowed. Campers should have a pair of water shoes/aqua socks to wear while boating, and a pair of athletic shoes to wear before and after boating.

Hats and sunglasses are recommended but not required. If wearing glasses, Campers should bring a lanyard to secure glasses around their head. It is also a good idea to send along some additional money or a snack with your Camper to carry him/her throughout the day, as well as for locker tokens – cost $2 and are recommended for securing valuables.

Important: On the first day of camp, please arrive 15-20 minutes before the start time to register and sign-in

Please Note: Also, parents, no pets, including dogs, may enter the park, even if they are inside a vehicle when dropping off and picking up campers.