Mitch Traphagen Photo
By PAT AUSTIN
President, TSS Youth Sailing
APOLLO BEACH — Young sailors, ages 7 to 17, are enjoying sailing classes by TSS Youth Sailing, Inc., in beautiful Bal Harbor, at 1250 Apollo Beach Blvd., in Apollo Beach.
In TSS Youth Sailing’s sailing classes and racing clinics, young sailors are learning the basics of sailing, intermediate sailors are improving their sailing skills and advanced sailors are learning to compete in sailboat races.
Sailing classes are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., during the weeks of July 18, and 25, and weeks of August 1 and 8.
Racing clinics are on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to noon until the Joey Meyer Regatta, an annual event of sailboat races, on August 27.
From the first day, young sailors are on the water, sailing in small boats, having fun and learning the ropes in a safe, organized program of sailing activities. They are rigging, launching, sailing and landing a pram or Sunfish, understanding wind direction, steering and points of sail to maneuver the boat upwind (tacking) and downwind (jibing).
Intermediate and advanced students are sharpening their skills for enhanced performance. All graduating students are invited to race in the Joey Meyer Regatta at the end of the season.
TSS Youth Sailing’s instructors are certified to teach by U.S. Sailing, the national sailing authority, and they are also certified for CPR, First Aid and boating safety. Class size is limited for safety and personal attention.
TSS Youth Sailing is hosted by Tampa Sailing Squadron, a sailing club. Tampa Sailing Squadron welcomes new members. Visit TSS at 1250 Apollo Beach Boulevard or their web-site at www.sail-tss.org. TSS also sponsors Sea Scout Ship 185, a year ’round coed program for ages 14 – 20, with a focus on boating and sailing.
Visit TSS Youth Sailing’s website, www.tssyouthsailing.org for more information about sailing and racing classes. TSS Youth Sailing, Inc., is a Florida nonprofit and federal 501(c)(3) educational organization.
TSS Youth Sailing 2011 – Images by Mitch Traphagen
