LJT Youth Sailing Program

The Program has added another O’pen Skiff to its fleet. If our proposal to the Boo Grigsby Foundation is successful, we will be able to add a second skiff to our fleet. A more important development is the establishment of an endowment, the proceeds of which will be used to underwrite the operational costs of the summer sailing camps. Whereas no definite plan for the 2027 sailing camps, we will definitely be offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced sailing camps at New Roads.

Whereas we hoped to be able to offer our first sailing camp on the LSU University Lake but dredging progress and rehabilitation of the Wampold Park does not appear to warrant that possibility.

Given that, we will continue to offer youth sailing camps in 2026 in New Roads. Likely, we will offer an advanced camp, an intermediate camp, and two beginner camps.

We will announce the 2027 sailing camp program on Facebook shortly after the start of the new year and solicit applications. Details and applications will be available at ljtyouthsailing.org

The Program was able to acquire another O’pen Skiff complete and all the parts and sails for a second boat but lacking a hull. This new boat and parts will provide the Program ready access to a replacement boat and parts if needed. The good news- the cost of everything was quite modest. Of course, it required a 12 hour round trip to Lake Conroe, north of Houston, to pickup and transport the gear back to Baton Rouge.

An opening has developed in the Intermediate Sailing Camp scheduled for June 15-18. Applications will be considered on a first come- first served basis. Registrants must have completed an Introduction (Beginning) to Sailing camp to be eligible for the Intermediate Sailing Camp. Applications are available at ljtyouthsailing.org

Questions can be referred to me at [email protected]

ljtyouthsailing.org

Here’s a poor photo of one of our new instructional sailboats- an O’pen Skiff. It’s about 9’ long, 3 1/2’ wide, and weighs 100 lbs. Dollies are provided for each boat to facilitate moving the boat to and from the pier. The boat can easily accommodate two youths who will take turns on the tiller.

Our first camp is fast approaching- a beginner sailing camp, June 1-4. This camp will be followed by an intermediate sailing June 8-11 and an advanced sailing camp June 15-18. The last camp of the summer, a beginner camp, will be held July 6-9. Each camp accommodates 10 kids and usually involves at least 5 adult volunteers.

The week of June 22 will be devoted to a sailing camp for the Thibodeaux and Seals great grandkids.

The LJT Youth Sailing Program offers sailing camps at three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Upon completion of an advanced camp, youths will no longer be able to participate in a camp. However, the program is seeking means to help these youths to continue to sail. Such as activity is likely to be limited to weekends and will require parental involvement.

Parents. If you have any questions concerning the registration of your child or children for any of the sailing camps, please contact me via email at your earliest convenience.

[email protected]

The Program is reaching out to parents whose kids have completed either a beginner or intermediate sailing camp for ideas to support sailing for their kids once they graduate from one or more of the camps. What are your ideas? Program volunteers are committed to help with continuing to support our “graduates” but there is a need for parents to be a part of such an activity.

The Program will introduce the Advanced Sailor Camp participants to a Flying Junior (FJ) sailboat. This sailboat will be provided to the camp by the Pelican Yacht Club. Unlike the cat-rigged O’pen Skiffs, the FJ is a sloop-rigged sailboat. Whereas the skiffs can be operated by an individual, the FJ requires a minimum crew of two. For the purposes of the sailing camp experience, the FJ will be crewed by three campers who will rotate through the various crew roles.

Although all the camps are full, I recommend that you apply anyway. Two reasons:(1) there may be cancellations and (2) anyone who applies this year will be given priority registration next year.

We sincerely appreciate the response of the community to the sailing camp program. We wish we could accommodate all comers but it is beyond our capacity.

The photo depicts a typical “classroom” setting.