iblog.iup.edu/iupsailing
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.
Last week, we were able to purchase and pick up six FJ sailboats from Middle River, Maryland. These Chesapeake hulls will be a great addition for our youth and college sailors–beginners who are just learning and experienced folks who want to try racing.
Donors over the years to FOYC sailing and the foundation account for IUP sailing made this possible. We were able to pool resources to purchase a joint fleet; each organization taking responsibility for half.
Thanks especially to Nathanael Arthurs, who helped facilitate the purchase. And to all the volunteers who helped us unload, organize, and put the boats away for the winter.
We are always looking for new sailors. Are you a youth or adult who wants to learn how to sail? Are you an experienced sailor looking to get back into the sport, perhaps even teaching others? Please contact FriendsOfYellowCreek@gmail.com
We want sailing to be accessible to all with modest participation fees. Our expenses are ongoing, including insurance, new sails, and equipment repairs.
If you are able to contribute, both community sailing at Friends of Yellow Creek and the sailing club alumni IUP Foundation invite tax deductable donations. Write FriendsOfYellowCreek@gmail.com or IUPSailingClub@gmail.com
Donations are accepted any time via:
FOYC PA Parks and Forests Foundation
IUP Foundation Alumni Sailing Club
Sunday, March 26, the sailing club began rigging its JY15s for the season. Several sailors enjoyed a high-wind sail aboard the FOYC Flying Scot.
Ben Swanson qualifies as a US Sailing Small boat sailor after exploring the sport at Yellow Creek Lake as part of the IUP Sailing club.
Kittanning native Ben Swanson ’24 had never been on a sailboat when he arrived at IUP during the midst of the Covid pandemic. But the novice was attracted to the image of sailing off into the sunset. It was also a good time to join an outdoor activity you enjoy when there’s a breeze blowing.
Four semesters later, the junior Economics major and Cook Honors student has completed the fourteen areas of theory and practical boat handling to earn his Small Boat Sailing certification from US Sailing. This establishes that he is capable of skippering a dinghy, keel or centerboard day-sailor in light to moderate air.
Swanson was selected as the club president and “Commodore” last Spring. Along with other club members, he has sailed in college regattas hosted by Gannon at Lake Erie and Drexel on the Delaware River. The club also spent several days of the 2022 spring break “training” at Bow to Stern Sailing in Oriental, NC.
Like all new members of IUP sailing, Swanson gained practical experience with the club boats that are docked in nearby Yellow Creek State park, at the FOYC community sailing base. In September, October the 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 Swanson his final skills checkout at the lake in mid-October. Happily, Swanson had completed his capsize test in warmer months. Most IUP students, like Swanson, have not been previously exposed to sailing. 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.
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
IUP Sailing club invites new and returning members to the first session of spring “shore-school.” The lake is still frozen, but you can get a head-start on the sailing season by learning the basics through shore school. In the first of four half-hour sessions introduces teh wind, boat physics and nomenclature, capsizing and basic knots. Have you ever wanted to learn to sail? The IUP Sailing Club is open to all members of the IUP community (students, faculty and staff.) Weather permitting, the club sails each Sunday at nearby Yellowcreek State Park.
Club meeting begins at 8pm in HSS 112. Shore school at 8:30pm.
For more information visit our blog https://iblog.iup.edu/iupsailing
write IUPSailing@gmail.com
or find us on Facebook.
