OCEAN CITY – The Bayside Center is alive with enthusiastic young sailors this summer despite the pandemic that is restricting activities in Ocean City this season and had canceled most summer camps.
Eleven students, half of whom are novices, convene each morning to have their temperatures checked, have roll call, and race over to the storage shed to retrieve the sails, masts, centerboards and tillers so that they can hit the water and test the winds. Another class assembles in the afternoon for the same chance to test the winds.
The Ocean City Sailing Foundation, now in its 13th season, is teaching sailing skills to eager young mariners who want to enjoy the water surrounding Ocean City.
Doug Mroz, director of sailing at the Foundation, heads a staff of five certified instructors and oversees the strict enforcement of social distancing, wearing masks while on land, temperature checks and adhering to the guidelines set by national sailing associations. Students and instructors were thrilled to find out that the camp would be allowed to operate this summer under these strict regulations. Victoria Betterly, one of the instructors, said, “We were all worried that we would not have jobs and the kids would be disappointed to lose their chance to learn to sail. But it has worked out and even the weather has cooperated. It’s been great.”
Most students sail an Opti, a one-person boat; siblings use the Fevas, 16’ boats that accommodate two sailors. Instructors accompany the fleet in motor boats, encouraging and instructing the kids but allowing them the freedom to solo. Maeve Smith and Reese Hemberger, who came together from Upper Township, were excited to have sailed a Feva by themselves the first day of attending the class. “We thought this would be a lot of fun,” Maeve said. “Asked if they were scared to be alone in the boat, they both said, “No, it was great. Our instructors were nearby but we did it by ourselves.” Quite an accomplishment for the first day of sailing.
Camp is restricted to nine students each session but allows siblings to increase the class size to 11. There are a few openings left; if interested see Ocean City Sailing Foundation web page. The Foundation hopes by next year to be allowed to accommodate 16-18 students per class.
