OverviewMountain Lakes Sailing Association's aim is to promote the safe enjoyment of sailing for residents of the town. We offer lessons to teach beginners of all ages how to sail and we run a racing program through the summer months. For all of our activities we use the popular small single-handed Sunfish sailboat. The atmosphere of the club is informal and family oriented. Our "clubhouse" is Island Beach by the gazebo. Our "sailing waters" are Mountain Lake. MLSA is one of the oldest Sunfish fleets in the world!Details of our sailing programs along with links to forms where required. Sail for LifeSailing for leisure or competition is a skill that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. It is not unusual to meet 80-year-olds providing formidable competition at regattas. Acquiring the skills to single-handedly handle the elements and use them to outwit and out-sail one's competition in a race develops a child's self-reliance and confidence like few other activities can.Free TrainingThe club's expert instructors provide private lessons to youngsters and adults wishing to learn to sail. The lessons are free. The only requirements are that you are able to swim, have a life jacket, and are confident on the water. We have no age limits -- but children do need to be mature enough to be able to handle a boat on their own after training. So typically they start at any age from 8 upwards. We provide one-on-one training for all our students. After a few minutes of basic instruction on the beach, you will be out sailing with an instructor in the boat with you. Once you have mastered the basics of handling the boat, you will be sailing the boat single-handed, with an instructor sailing in another boat alongside you in case you need any advice. Pretty soon after that you will be confident to sail on your own. Have fun! Details of our free Sunday training program along with forms where required. Summer Weekday Sailing CampSummer Weekday Sailing Camp provides expert instruction, play races, games and activities for kids under eighteen years old. It runs Monday through Thursday starting July 6th for six weeks, ending on August 13th. Boat owners must bring their own boat, but since kids younger than 10 years old sail double, younger ones with no boat may sail also. Full details and application forms. Senior Sunfish RacingThe core of our program is our Senior Sunfish racing program which operates every Sunday from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. We meet at 12:30pm on Island Beach and then run as many races as we can between 1pm and 3pm. Typically the start line is just off the beach and we race around the fixed buoys in the 3 corners of the lake. Racing rules are observed but the atmosphere is friendly and informal. We are always interested in welcoming new members to our racing program and will do everything we can to help you get up to speed (literally). Full details of our racing programs. Youth Sunfish RacingOur weekend youth races are from 1pm to 3pm every Sunday throughout the summer. Some of our children take part in the annual SANJL the Sailing Association of North Jersey Lakes Junior and Midget Regattas, where they get a chance to test their skills against kids from other lakes in the area. Full details of our racing programs and application forms. Women's RacingWomen's racing/recreational sailing is held every Sunday afternoon from 12:30pm to 3pm starting Memorial Day weekend throughout the summer until Labor Day. Participants must bring their own boats. Instruction and race management, if needed, will be provided. Full details of our racing programs. Off-lake RacingSome of our members travel to compete in regattas at other venues. The most popular off-lake events are those organized by SANJL -- the Sailing Association of North Jersey Lakes. This is a series of four one-day regattas -- two in the spring and two in the fall. The regattas are held at other local lakes such as Spruce Run and Swartswood Lake. Mountain Lakes sailors have also participated successfully in other championships at regional, national and world level. SocialWe always have a picnic barbecue at Island Beach during the summer which will be held on Sunday June 15, 2008 at 4pm. But the highlight of our social calendar is our annual banquet held each fall at Mountain Lakes Club. This year it is on Friday September 5. We celebrate the sailing achievements of our members throughout the season with awards and trophies -- both serious and humorous. The 2009 schedule has yet to be determined. How to contact usYou may contact the Commodore, Pia Abate, or just come and see us at Island Beach any Sunday afternoon in the summer. Useful Links
Details of our sailing programs along with links to forms where required.
Sunfish & equipment dealers |
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