“A sailing program serving Pittsburgh area high school students and others”
NEWSLETTER AT A GLANCE:It was a very good month of sailing with mild winds and mostly moderate temperatures - great conditions for our sailors to improve their skills. August was also a great month for publicity.
Sailing skill pins were presented to more sailors for acquiring sailing skills including completing the US Sailing Association's "Red Book" beginner sailing skills. And two more sailors received their first pins enabling them to sail without an instructor on board.
August was also a great month of positive news reports on our sailing program including stories on WESA radio (the local NPR station) WTAE TV, KDKA TV and WJAS radio (see links below).
As we enter our last month of sailing for the season, we want to thank our instructors including those who have provided two years of volunteer service.
Our contributors put "The Wind in our Sails". Please see the contribution links at the bottom of this newsletter and consider making a donation to support high school sailing in Pittsburgh. And also check out the link below for a video on the PPSL sailing program.
PPSL sailors earn more sailing pins
Second year PPSL sailors Eva and Katerina received their second sailing skill pin awards for completing the US Sailing Assocation Small Boat sailors beginner certification "Red Book". Both sailors previously received pins for reaching the skill level to sail without an instructor on board. You can see the pins on their PPSL hats. Way to go Eva and Katerina!
The US Sailing Association Red book includes a series of check lists on sailing and related skills that are signed off by our instructors. Certification of the Beginners Red Book by the US Sailing Association is the first step to become accomplished sailors.
Many community sailing programs, including the Lake Arthur based Moraine Sailing Club, use the Red Book for their adult learn-to-sail programs.
First year sailors, Melana and Lara received their first sailing skill pins. They will join Silas, Eva and Katerina in sailing without an instructor on board.
PPSL sailing skill pins are awarded for sailing skill levels including sailing without an instructor on board, completing the US Sailing Small beginner Red Book and sailboat racing.
We work with every sailor to help them learn at their own pace.
PPSL publicity generates interest
Several recent news stories have generated increased website traffic, student recruits, donations, and general awareness.
WESA radio reporter Katie Blackley (the local NPR station) spent nearly an entire sailing session on shore and in the safety boat learning about our sailing program. The link below includes audio of the interview and a great article with photos.
WTAE TV co-anchor Shannon Perrine (see picture of her interviewing one of our sailors) also spent considerable time with us and even sailed one of our boats as a part of her story.
Our sailing program would not exist without the dedicated service of our instructor volunteers. In addition to being US Sailing certified instructors, they must maintain certifications in CPR, First Aid and coaching. For the PPSL sailing program, they also go through background checks and clearances including FBI fingerprinting.
Our current instructor roster includes two-year instructors Rob Martin and Jeff Young and first year instructors Alan Finkelstein, Kerry Quinn, Lindsay, Silver and Geoff Wells. Second year instructor Rob Martin is wearing his PPSL hat with two "I" instructor pins noting his two years of volunteer service.
Our corporate sponsors
To learn more about our corporate sponsorship program, email us at sailpittsburgh@gmail.com
Please use the PPSL donation links below to contribute to local sailing in YOUR community!
