iblog.iup.edu/iupsailing
IUP Sailing offers lessons for beginner and experts! You are welcome to join. In the cold weather months, we prepare through “Shore School” and when the weather warms, we head out to the lake. Whether you missed shore school or want to review, check out some of our informative slides.
New members are always welcome whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced racer. Sign up for our email list for general information. Active members use GroupMe to coordinate sailing times. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Crimson Connect or reach out via an email to IUPSailingClub@gmail.com
Serena Aumick and Isabel “Izzy” Allerheiligen qualify as US Sailing Small Boat sailors after exploring the sport at Yellow Creek Lake as part of the IUP Sailing Club.
Serena Aumick ’26, a Biology Pre-Vet major with a minor in Chemistry and a certificate in Spanish, joined the IUP Sailing Club as a first-year student in 2022. Isabel “Izzy” Allerheiligen ’26, a Biology major from State College, PA, discovered sailing earlier in Maine but deepened her experience after joining the club at IUP that same fall. Both are members of the Cook Honors College.
For Aumick, the sailing club offers many benefits: “I get to meet incredible new people and that I am able to take a break from my coursework to enjoy an afternoon outdoors and on the water.”
Aumick, the club’s current president, and Allerheiligen, the former president and now vice president, have completed the fourteen areas of theory and practical boat handling to earn their Small Boat Sailing certifications from US Sailing. This establishes that they are capable of skippering a dinghy or centerboard day-sailor up to 20 feet in light to moderate air.
The two have sailed competitively for at a regatta hosted by Syracuse U at Cazenovia Lake. Allerheiligen also participated in a Cook Honors sailing trip to Florida, adding to her early sailing memories from Maine. Aumick, in contrast, had never sailed before coming to IUP. Izzy observes, “Why wouldn’t I love sailing? I get to meet new people, birdwatch, and grill all in the same place! There’s nothing quite like sailing, I really encourage anyone who hasn’t tried it to come visit the IUP Sailing Club.”
Like all new members of IUP Sailing, Aumick and Allerheiligen gained practical experience with the club boats docked at nearby Yellow Creek State Park, at the FOYC community sailing base. In September and October, sailors learn to rig and launch boats, navigate, trim sails, and even practice righting a capsized boat. In March, they wait for the lake to thaw and launch boats again for April and May. During winter, the club focuses on shore-school, sailing theory, knots, and social activities.
Dr. Ken Sherwood, IUP Sailing Club advisor and certified US Sailing instructor, gave Aumick and Allerheiligen their final skills this Spring. Happily, both had completed their capsize tests in warmer months. Most IUP students, like Aumick, have not been previously exposed to sailing, but the club teaches beginners the basics, fosters camaraderie, and gives the most serious sailors a chance to experience competitive racing. Sherwood encourages interested students to check out the club on Instagram and Crimson Connect or to email IUPSailingClub@gmail.com for information about joining. Dues are low, and becoming a sailor can open up a lifetime of priceless opportunities.
IUP Sailing Club was happy to welcome guest from the swim club out to the lake on Sunday. We had sun and a perfect 6-10 knot breeze to introduce these aquatic experts to the pleasures of gliding on top of the water. Thanks to the volunteer skippers who helped get our everyone out on the water — and to our novice crew for stepping up and trimming those sheets. IUP students, alumni, and staff are invited to reach out for an introductory sail.
Late March and early April have featured some cool nights and plenty of rain. But our most intrepid sailors have been out three times. Getting ready for the blues skies, fair freezes, and warmth that is just around the corner! Shore school on Mondays at 6pm. Sunday sails carpooling from campus at noon. It’s not to late to join for Spring 2025.
A small but courageous crew braved the 45 degree temperatures to rig up a Flying Scot and notch the first sail of 2025.
Weather permitting, IUP sailors will be out at Yellow Creek each Sunday between now nd graduation. Reach out to IUPSailing@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining us. No experience necessary.
IUP Students,
You can join the sailing club with no prior experience. IUP classmates and Prof Sherwood will teach you on the water each Sunday. At weekly club meetings we conduct a brief shore-school. Here are the slides for preview or review:
https://bit.ly/FOYC-IUP-LTS-2023
