Five IUP students travelled to Erie PA to race in the college sailing regatta hosted at the Erie Yacht Club the weekend of 9/17.
Ben Swanson (’24), skipper, and Archie Perella (’24), crew, led the Hawks A fleet boat. Olivia Lawton (’24), skipper, and Ben Lawton (’24), crew, took charge of the B fleet boat, Reserve sailor Alex Sidora (’24) had the chance to crew in his first regatta after being introduced to the sport in August!
IUP Sailing welcomes all students, especially beginners. Anyone can learn the basics at the home base at nearby Yellow Creek State Park. “None of the five sailors at Erie had sailed prior to enrolling at IUP,” according to club advisor and Prof. of English, Ken Sherwood. Many club members enjoy relaxing sails and BBQs at home. In order to give advanced sailors the opportunity to race, the club applied to the Mid Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association.
Ben Swanson reflects: “I’m very proud of our team for facing off against people that have sailed their whole lives and staying competitive throughout each and every race. Everyone did a fantastic job. It was also a lot of fun!”
“The Erie race was a great team building experience and a wonderful opportunity” according to Oliva Wanat, who observed that IUP “did a great job and got a chance to explore our passion for sailing.”
IUP students are welcome to reach out to the club via social media or Crimson Connect; attend a Thursday 7:30pm (Jane Leonard) meeting; or join the club for a Sunday (noon, Hub Circle) sail while the weather remains warm this fall.
Hosted by Gannon U, the college regatta involved 7 boats sailing around a buoyed course in Presque Isle Bay, with a committee boat, mark set boat, and two safety boats supervising while the non-racers and spectators watch from the EYC docks. During a three-minute countdown, the boats jostle for position at the start line before powering across and tacking towards the upwind mark. Winds were light Saturday (5-8 knots, SW) and so the racing was suspended after 10 races at 3pm. Sunday morning brought a great breeze (WSW Winds 10-12 and gusting to 20) which made for fast sailing and one capsize — not IUP!
Other competing schools included Gannon, Pitt, Penn State Behrend, U Rochester, RIT, and Syracuse. IUP typically sails in two or three regattas per year. The regatta name references the historic naval victory of the Brig Niagara and Com. Oliver Perry’s fleet against the British in the War of 1812.
IUP sailors also volunteer maintaining boats and the sailing base at Yellow Creek. In August, they invited incoming students to a Welcome Week sail at the park.
IUPSailingClub@gmail.com
sherwood@iup.edu