Though September is just a few weeks away, there’s still plenty of time for kids to navigate the last few weeks of summer on a sailboat. For the past 11 years, Atlantic Yachting has been turning New Yorkers of all ages into “lifelong sailors in a safe, fun, and challenging environment,” said Logan Rowell, general manager of Atlantic Yachting, which offers a kids’ summer camp that ends on September 1 and a fall camp from September 4-8.
Young sailors, with the Hudson River as their classroom and the wind behind their back, will not only develop physical and mental strength, they’ll also acquire skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and problem solving that will help steer them through school, work, and life.
Not often you’ll find a sport that’s challenging and incredibly relaxing at the same time. That’s why we chatted with Rowell to learn more about how sailing “provides a passport to a new world of adventure.”
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, New York City’s waterways are dotted with boats. Why is NYC a great place for kids to learn how to sail?
NYC is a great place to learn how to sail because of how challenging the Hudson River can be. As a tidal estuary, we see strong currents daily, requiring young sailors to learn not only the basics of sailing and wind travel, but also navigation, timing, and sometimes patience. Most importantly, it’s convenient! Having the ability to set sail right from the heart of Manhattan is a gift we definitely don’t take for granted.
What sets your camp apart from other sailing programs around NYC?
- Top-tier instruction: The same way you expect incredible teachers at prestigious schools, we hold ourselves and our hiring practices to the same standards. You can expect much more from our staff and your child’s experience. We search all winter for the next season’s staff and only hire the best.
- A creative approach to teaching: We teach an adventure-based program. We teach all aspects of sailing like navigation and trip planning, and allow the sailors to make almost 100% of their owner decisions. This is possible because of the instructors’ skill level and their ability to allow sailors to steer the week in the direction they choose.
- The original: Atlantic Yachting is Manhattan’s original youth sailing program. We’ve been doing this a long time and use every season’s experiences to improve the next.
What should children know how to do before their first lesson?
Smile. That’s about it. Our programs are designed for youths that have never stepped foot on a sailboat, all the way to experienced sailors that have been around boats for years.
Speaking of first days, what can young sailors expect on the first day of camp?
Lots of fun! We start with a meet and greet to get everyone acquainted. Next, we play trust and communication games as fun icebreakers. We then dive right in—not into the river, of course! After the safety speeches, the kids will rig up the boats and sail before lunch—on their very first day.
For young sailors with some experience under their belt, what are some good tips for helping them improve their skills?
Without disclosing Atlantic Yachting’s secrets, I’d say:
- Practice: It’s all about muscle memory.
- Keep it fun: Kids learn more when they want to be there.
- Hands-on: There is no chalkboard lesson that can take the place of getting on deck and hands-on experience.
- Watch & listen: Youth sailors on board with other youth/adults can watch their techniques and learning from their mistakes. Victories go much further than words.
And what activities can kids do when they are not at camp to hone their skills?
- Practice tying knots: It’s always handy to have a spare line around the house so young sailors can practice knots like the bowline or the figure 8 without looking down.
- Watch the breeze: Whether you’re walking down the street or sitting on the beach, there is always a little breeze. Training your brain to know and feel where the wind is coming from will make anyone a better sailor.
Naturally, parents are concerned about the safety of their kids. How does Atlantic Yachting ensure that children are safe while sailing?
It all starts with the Atlantic Yachting staff. All of our instructors are certified by the American Sailing Association and the managers are United States Coast Guard masters licensed captains. One of our certified instructors is on board with the sailors at all times. Personal flotation devices are always worn around the water and a 6-to-1 sailor to instructor ratio helps us keep close eyes on all the kids. Also, our immaculate 11-year safety record is a testament to how serious we are about safety and taking the extra steps to hire only the absolute best staff imaginable.
This is the perfect activity to seas the day before the summer ends!
For more information about Atlantic Yachting, visit atlanticyachting.com.
