On the Dock with Rick Smith: Sailing is a Breeze

11. Aug, 2011 0 Comments

Sailing is a Breeze
Lake Belton–The Lake Belton Yacht Club (LBYC) wants to bring the joy of sailing to more Central Texans. To do so they have scheduled several sailing classes to be given by LBYC sailing director and certified instructor Charlie Daniels (NO not THAT Charlie Daniels!). Charlie has been instrumental in working with the youth program, teaching sailing on a board boat (Laser) and a Club 420. Charlie believes that if he can get the parents interested in sailing, then the whole family will spend more time on the water and less time sitting at home playing video games and watching TV. The course will include classroom instruction in nautical skills, terminology and real on the water boat handling. Two classes are currently forming. Each class is limited to the number of students so anyone interested needs to contact him at 254-913-7334.
If you wish to check it out first, Charlie will be at Frank’s Marina near the dam on Lake Belton every Wednesday evening by 5:30 offering free introductory sailing orientation. Bring your life jacket, a hat, drinking water, sunglasses and sun block.
For those who wish to sign up to receive their US Sailing Small Boat Certification, Charlie has all the education materials on hand. Fees vary depending on the number of people in the family, but when finished the participants will receive certification that is accepted world-wide. But wait there’s more! (I borrowed this from those infomercials on TV). Graduates of this course will also receive one free year of membership in the Lake Belton Yacht Club. Students successfully completing the course will be able to use the club owned boats to hone their skills. These boats are kept at Frank’s Marina so no towing to the lake is required.
Charlie hopes to offer sailing classes to the military at Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA) starting this fall, but plans have not yet been finalized. BLORA currently offers sailboat rentals on a very limited basis primarily due to a lack of demand.
Charlie invites everyone to “come on out and enjoy the cool water of Lake Belton!” LBYC has a website that can be found at HYPERLINK “http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LakeBeltonYachtClub/” http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LakeBeltonYachtClub/.
So when checking out boating this summer, don’t forget to think GREEN and let the wind be your motor. Sailing is for everyone. It’s easy to learn and will bring a lifetime of enjoyment. Let’s Go Sailing!