FAQs and Waivers
Required Waivers & Documents
Medical Waivers are due on your first day of class:
Non-Photo Use Agreement - for use only if you DO NOT want photos published
Required Reading:
What to Bring to Sailing Class
Scholarships Available
We want anyone who is interested to be able to sail with us! Aid is available through the Portland Yacht Club Youth Sailing Scholarship Fund. Please take advantage of these resources. They want to help…
Candidates can apply at www.pycyouthsailingscholarship.org.
If you need assistance, contact our Program Director at: Director@WillametteSailingClub.com
FAQs
What should I bring to my sailing class?
Medical waiver
Closed toe shoes that can get wet
A swimsuit and towel
Comfortable athletic clothing and a change of clothes
Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water bottle and snack
How well do I, or my child, have to be able to swim? Students should be able to swim 50 feet along the dock WITH a life jacket. Students are in lifejackets the entire time they are at camp, but they should still be comfortable in the water.
What should I expect in the capsize practice? The coach will instruct students on the proper way to capsize and right a boat through a discussion and demonstration on land. Sailors will then get in the water (while wearing a life jacket), swim a few feet to a boat that is tied to the dock, climb in the boat, tip it over, right it, and swim back to the dock. The capsize drill is an important safety feature of any small boat sailing camp, or class.
How do I know if I am enrolled in the class? You will receive a confirmation immediately after registering and paying for the class (fyi, sometimes messages from SquareSpace end up in spam). Payment is required to reserve your space in the class. You will also receive a reminder from the office the week before the class start date.
What kinds of clothing should I bring to class? Closed toe shoes are required for participation in camp. Tennis shoes, Keen sandals, and neoprene diving/sailing booties are great. For summer sailing, you don’t need any sailing specific gear. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing that is made of fast drying materials. Cotton takes a long time to dry, so we only recommend it for the hottest days. We also recommend coming to class with a fleece sweater and rain coat on cooler/rainy days.
Does class get canceled due to weather? Except for extreme circumstances, classes continue as scheduled rain, or shine. Unfortunately, there are days that are too windy, or not windy enough, for learning, but there are lots of important land drills and lessons to be covered during such times. Safety is always the priority and our coaches are trained to determine whether conditions are suitable for learning to sail.
Do I need a life jacket? WSC provides life jackets for all programs. If you have your own United States Coast Guard approved life jacket you wish to wear, you may do so.
My child has sailed on a keelboat/with scouts/at camp/etc. What class should they take? If your child has never driven a sailboat, or sailed alone, please register them for a beginning level class. Their previous knowledge will give them a great head start in sailing, but they will benefit the most from learning boat handling with other beginners.
Can I come watch my child sail? Parents are welcome to watch class from the bluff overlooking the harbor. For safety reasons and to avoid distractions, we do not allow parents on the docks during class times.
My child lost their… Can you help me find it? We keep a lost and found in the WSC clubhouse classroom. Please mark all gear with your child’s name.
Is financial aid available? Youth scholarships are available through the Portland Yacht Club Youth Sailing Scholarship Fund (www.pycyouthsailingscholarship.org). Contact our Program Director (Director@WillametteSailingClub.com) with any questions.
Can my child bring a friend to class? Only paying participants are allowed to participate in sailing classes. For safety purposes, we are unable to allow guests to join classes.
What if we will miss a day of class, or be late, or someone else is going to pick my child up from camp? Please let us know by calling the office at (503) 730-SAIL. If you do not get through, please email Director@WillametteSailingClub.com
What is the refund policy? Changes and cancellations can be requested by contacting Director@WillametteSailingClub.com. A refund, less a $50 administrative fee, will be given for classes changed or cancelled two weeks in advance of the first class date. No refund will be given for classes cancelled less than two weeks prior to the first class date.