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.