If your son or daughter is registering for either the Silver or Gold sail program at Bronte Harbour Yacht Club (BHYC) they are effectively joining the BHYC Race Team. The BHYC Race Team is taught by a specially qualified coach. Team members enjoy an intense, challenging and fun summer of sailing and camaraderie.
Parents should understand that sailing at this level is rewarding but demanding. It requires commitment on the part of both students and parents. Parents need to be aware that their child will likely be committing not just week days but possibly many weekends to sailing. In addition, all Race Team members require their own boat. Students who become particularly committed, usually require boats that are in excellent condition (and trailers for transportation), if they want to see their sailing skills translate into top level results in competition.
Successful achievement of both Silver Sail and Gold Sail levels is determined not only by sailing skills but achievement at sailing regattas. Sailing regattas consist of several sailing races conducted over one or more days. Typically they are held on weekends over the course of the spring, summer and fall. Sailors who are passionate about improving their skills are encouraged to enter spring and fall regattas on their own.
Over the past few seasons BHYC has sponsored an after-school racing program - Ontario Sailing Regional Coaching (OSRC) in the spring and fall, outside the regular sailing school season in July and August. Many race team members participate in this program which is an additional cost to the regular BHYC sailing program.
Over the summer, regattas are held at various clubs across southern Ontario almost every weekend. Some race team members (especially those in the Gold program) attend as many of these regattas as possible. Parents of these sailors must be prepared for the time and expense of travel to these events. In addition to regular travel and accommodation fees, each regatta will have an entry fee.
In the past, the race team has attended several of these regattas as a group. The decision as to which of these regattas the team will attend needs to be made. In the past, this decision has been made by the race coach alone, or the race coach in consultation with sailors and their parents. While attendance is not mandatory, it is highly recommended for several reasons. A sense of team camaraderie is developed when all team members attend regattas together. Achievement of the Silver and Gold levels demands competition experience. Competition typically results in improved sailing skill.
Parents should be aware that many of these regattas are far enough away from Oakville that overnight accommodation is necessary. On-site camping is available at many venues. If your child is attending an out of town regatta, it will be necessary for you to chaperone your child or make arrangements for chaperoning. Race coaches will attend the regattas for coaching purposes only. BHYC members, BHYC Sailing School staff, and race team coaches will not be responsible for any type of chaperoning duty.