(Jensen Beach, FL) - Seven THS students and 1^st Sgt Toby Henson, Military Science Instructor from Titusville High School, attended a one day sailing clinic in Jensen Beach at the US SAILING Center Martin County. They were accompanied by TSC members Debbie Tomkinson, Frank Valdes and Luis Delgado for this introduction to the Club 420, a 14ft sloop. The Club 420 is the one design, two person boat used for Team Racing and Intercollegiate & High School Sailing. US SAILING Instructor Don Lasky, guided the group through rigging, launching and maneuvering a Club 420. The winds were very strong in the morning and everyone struggled a little. In the afternoon, after a lunch break to discuss the morning exercise, the winds eased up a little which facilitated handling of the boats. We managed to get a few quick races to introduce basic racing concepts from the start/finish line to sailing around a triangular course. The instruction, equipment and facilities were outstanding. Everyone had a great time and could not stop talking about the experience on the drive home.

 

The US SAILING Center Martin County in Jensen Beach is considered one of the best community sailing centers in the nation:  http://www.usscmc.org/ 

Titusville High School Sail Team Clinic at the US SAILING Center Martin County, in Jensen Beach.

 

Skipper Austin Pontius and Crew Adam Hugoboom learned how to sail a Club 420. This was their very first time in this type of boat but they appear to have it under control.

Skipper Paul Ashworth & Crew Monica Delgado are graduates of TSC Basic Sailing Class last year. They had the most experience in the group having accumulated several hours on the club’s Sunfish, Zuma and the sloop:  NORMA.