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IUP Sailors Aumick and Allerheiligen Earn Certification

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 Cosponsors Adventure Films Screened to Benefit Yellow Creek State Park

Indiana, Pa.  — Adventure lovers and outdoor enthusiasts find extreme challenges in the fields, hills, forests, and waterways of Pennsylvania.  Residents are invited to enjoy the sights and challenges of the outdoors through the lenses of independent film makers at the first Appalachian Film Festival.  The festival will be held at the Indiana Theater at 7PM on December 5th and 6th.  Admission is  $6 at the door ($5 in advance through the theater or Indiana bike shops). All proceeds benefit the non-profit Friends of Yellow Creek State Park. 
The festival presents the work of independent film makers from across the country through short films and excerpts.  Viewers will experience the drama of adventure racing, free BASE jumping, ice climbing, rock climbing, white water rafting.  As a special treat, viewers will get a preview of  a film featuring local racers Julia Pollock and Toby Angrove. Both athletes will be present to talk about the films and answer questions.  The full-length “Expedition Adventure” will premiere on NBC Universal Sports in December. This film was produced by Indiana-resident Douglas Crytzer.  In addition to co-sponsoring the Appalachian Film Festival, Mr. Crytzer is Founder and President of Gnarly Crew Media; his company, American Adventure Sports produces the North American Adventure Racing Series. Friends of Yellow Creek State Park, and the IUP Sailing Club are the presenting sponsors.  
Yellow Creek State Park is regularly the site of Xterra off-road triathalons.

Learn to Sail with IUP Sailing Club / Friends of Yellow Creek

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2013- SAILING 101
10:00 AM  Meet at the Boat Rental (Main Day-Use Area)
Join us to explore the sport and art of sailing on Yellow Creek Lake. This two-hour session begins with a lesson on the parts of the sailboat and introduces future sailors to the basics of wind awareness, sail trim, and points of sail. Three US Sailing Certified instructors will be on hand. After this orientation, in the second hour each student will have the chance to enjoy a short sail accompanied by an experienced sailor (weather permitting). We will wear PFDs, but to participate, sailors must be capable of swimming 50 yards in clothing and shoes. Participation is free but is limited to 12 students over the age of 10 years. Pre-registration required. To register call the Park Office at (724) 357-7913.

Attention Camp Counselors, Young Adult Leaders

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US Sailing Course Offered at Yellow Creek
June 8-9, 2013
Like sailing? Want to work or volunteer on a waterfront?  This course is designed to prepare camp counselors and staff from community sailing and scouting programs to supervise small boat recreational sailing activities. The emphasis is on safety and hands-on practice to familiarize candidates with proper terminology and boating techniques. Participants should have some prior exposure to sailing but need not be experts.  
This course will be taught by a certified US Sailing instructor trainer from Pittsburgh. It is co-sponsored by Friends of Yellow Creek and the IUP Sailing Club. There is a US Sailing fee associated with this course.
Contact friendsofyellowcreek@gmail.com for more information.