Kingsmill Yacht Club is repeating its increasingly popular Winter Training Series, and this year concentrating on BOATING!. Back by popular demand is the “DRY SAILING” curriculum, once again taught by member David Chin, a veteran Certified US Sailing Instructor over a two evening class. As the premier yacht club in Williamsburg, Chin felt it important (if not imperative for active membership), for Kingsmill Yacht Club to sponsor “hands-on” community educational programs that would return residents to the water with skills and safety in mind. Attendees will allay the fear of the floating unknowns . . . “all those strings and things” and “strange language and parts of the boat”, let alone “what to wear on a yacht” would no longer be deterrents to diving into the yachting lifestyle. Kingsmill is one of the few residential resorts with navigable waterfront on the Peninsula, and since the demise of the Michelob Regattas, has not seen the degree of sailing activity that once plied the James River and drew spectators and commerce.
“The solution was evident . . . we needed to provide a foundation of boating basics as an introduction into the world of sailing!”, remarked Chin, with his enthusiastic offer to teach the classes using resources and materials from his sailing ministry, Virginia Maritime Ministry, (VAM2). “Education is the key to safe and sustained boating, along with support of the community”, claims Chin. And the social aspect of the Yachting lifestyle is to be demonstrated as well, continuing the Club tradition of a fine refreshment and beverages “social” to get guests “on board” prior the class work. Upon completion, students should feel confident enough to grace the deck of any vessel in competent style, able to contribute as an able-bodied crewmember!
Additionally this year, a special offering sponsored by Kingsmill Yacht Club is the VIRGINIA BOATER SAFETY COURSE, to be conducted by our local USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 67. This consecutive evening course will qualify those attendees with the official Va DGIF State Safe Boater’s Card, a requirement that will be enforced for every powerboat and PWC operator, regardless of age, come 2016! Chin audited this class himself several years ago, and has since vetted out the best instructors to offer the intense, and tested program that will yield a valuable (and an insurance discount qualifying) lifetime credential, but more importantly, a safe boat operator - which ultimately may save a life.
All the instruction will be conducted at the Mounts Bay Recreation Center in Kingsmill, April 8th and 15th for the DRY SAILNG 101, & 102 classes, 6:30 – 9:30pm; and May 12th and 13th for the BOATER SAFETY COURSE, two part class and exam, from 5:30 – 9:30pm. Pre-Registration is required no later than week prior class by contacting Training Director, David Chin at 757 258-1689, [email protected], and providing Student Name, Class(es) desired, and a contribution made payable to “Kingsmill Yacht Club” with class topic in memo section, for $25 each evening to cover costs of teaching materials and refreshments, etc. Confirmation will be sent via email.
Kingsmill Yacht Club is a 38 year old non-profit corporation, and member of the Yachting Clubs of American, and US Yacht Racing Union, and the Chesapeake Yacht Racing Association, and can be visited at www.kingsmillyachtclub.com. David Chin actively serves his community and can be reached at [email protected] or 757 258-1689 for more information of the Yacht Club, or sailing instruction or maritime ministry opportunities in the Williamsburg area.
David R. Chin, [email protected]
