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1. Do
I
have
to
be
a
member
of
SMSA
to
participate
in
Junior Sailing Camps?
No. The programs are open
to SMSA members and
Non-members.
Children of families who
aren't members can join as
Junior members of SMSA.
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2. How
old does my child need to be
to participate?
Sailors must
meet the age requirements for
each class by the first day of
the session.
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3. How
do I know if I am enrolled in
the class?
When you submit your online
registration form you will
immediately receive an email
response from us confirming the
receipt of your
application.
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4. What
kinds of sailing apparel
should I have for my child?
All sailors must have their own
Type III US Coast Guard approved
PFD (lifejacket). Additionally,
all sailors should be well
equipped with sun protection
including sunscreen lotion, hat,
sunglasses, and long sleeved
t-shirt. Sailors ideally should
also have a spray
top,(preferred) windbreaker or
rain jacket to keep them dry if
there is rain or splashing while
sailing. Clothes should be able
to dry quickly and sailors
should have extra dry clothes to
wear after sailing. Bring a
towel!
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5.
Where can I get sailing
clothes?
You can get sailing clothes at
West Marine, Sailing Supply, or
at sports outlets like REI or
Sport Chalet. You should be
looking for clothes that offer
good skin coverage and dry
quickly.
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6. What
types of sunscreen and sun
protection should I use?
Sailors should buy
waterproof sunscreen that is SPF
30+. It is important to find a
sunscreen that doesn't burn the
eyes. When children sweat
sunscreen will end up in their
eyes. Nothing can ruin a great
day on the water faster than a
sunburn.
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7. My
child has sailed before on a
keelboat... with the scouts...
at camp, etc. What class would
be best?
Sailors with little or no
experience steering a boat
should enter a beginner
class. Students who have
previous experience sailing a
small boat by themselves can
enter an intermediate
class. If your child is an
experienced sailor the Advanced
Teen Racing class may be for
them.
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8. When
do I need to start thinking
about buying a sailboat for my
child?
Every family is different, but
if you're child really likes
sailing, the only way to really
get the most out of the sailing
experience is to have a boat
that is your own.
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9. Can
I come and watch my child
learn to sail?
Parents are welcome to observe
their child's class from a
distance. History has shown many
young sailors deal with the
challenges of learning to sail
best without the distraction of
having a parent present.
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10.
Will my child be safe if there
is inclement weather?
We always practice safe
procedures at SMSA. We do not
cancel class on rainy days.
Sailors should be prepared to
sail as usual and they should be
equipped with foul weather gear.
Bring a change of clothes!
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11. Do
I have to own a boat to be in
the program?
No. Use of club boats is
included in the class fee.
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12. How
well does my child have to
swim?
They need to be secure and
comfortable in the water. Swim
test is 75 ft swim any stroke, 2
minute tread water, and putting
a life-jacket on in the water.
This is done in the water at the
dock behind the clubhouse.
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13. What
is taught in each of the
classes?
The SMSA program emphasizes
safety, learning, and foremost
FUN, by teaching sailing,
seamanship and navigational
skills, plus an introduction to
racing. Our program helps
participants develop
self-reliance, self regulation,
sportsmanship, knowledge adn
respect for the environmnet
while ensuring boating safety
awareness. With a
combination of classroom time
and on the water time, classes
are designed to teach the basic
skills of sailing to beginners
and to help hone the skills of
more advanced students.
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14. I
lost my... ? Could you let me
know if you see it?
Yes, if it is clearly marked
with your name and phone #.
Clothes and especially
life-jackets should have full
name and phone # in a
conspicuous place. Sailing gear
should be labeled with the sail
number using an etcher or die
punch. You should also label
your name on gear with indelible
ink.
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15. Can
I leave my children at the
Sailing Club while they are
not in class?
No.
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16.
Who teaches SMSA's classes?
Our
courses are taught by US
Sailing certified instructors
which includes First Aid and
CPR training.
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17. What
boats
do we use to teach sailing?
The SMSA learn to sail
program uses Optimists and
Sunfish sailboats. The
Advanced Teen Racing Program
utilizes Club FJs. Family and
Adult Learn to Sail uses
Sunfish and small keelboats
(ex: San Juan 21).
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18.
How can I or my
child become a member of
Southern Maryland Sailing
Association?
Contact our membership
chairperson at
membership@smsa.com.
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19.
Can my child sign up for more
than one session?
Yes, many students participate
in multiple sessions. This is a
great way to improve skills.
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20.
What does my child need to
bring?
1.
Life
Jacket
Type
III
PFD
(must
fit
properly
to
child’s
size
and weight)
2.
Water Bottle
3.
Swim Suit
4.
Sack Lunch
5.
Water Shoes (closed toes, no
sandals or flip-flops. Old
tennis shoes work)
6.
Sunscreen/Sun-block
(apply before camp and at
lunch)
7.
Extra T-shirt
8.
Towel
9.
Hat (light color ball
caps work)
10.
Sunglasses are a
good idea with strap.
11. Helmet
(bicycle or skateboard style
helmets are good). Required
for kids intro to sail and
beginner dinghy classes
Personal
Flotation Devices (life
jackets) will be worn any
time the participant is
in/on the water or on the
dock, except for
during the swim test. It would be a
good idea to have each of
the participant's articles
properly marked with their
name. SMSA will not be
responsible for lost or
stolen articles.
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