Nautical Know-How

When Sheila Forsman’s students, ages 5 to 8, show up for sailing lessons at Marina Park Dock in Ventura, the first item covered is the problem of sailing directly into the wind. “It’s something that can’t be done,” she tells them.

She then proceeds to explain to the members of the Pee Wee class precisely how it can be done. “I use my hands to explain to them how the wind can act on the sail to pull the boat forward if you zigzag 45 degrees back and forth against the wind toward the mark [location] you want,” she says.

When it comes to communicating this mixture of geometry and physics, Forsman finds the real challenge is with the parents. “It takes adults a longer time to understand than little kids. I’ve decided to write this material down and have kids read it out loud to their parents afterward so [the parents] will get it, too.”

The Pee Wee sailing course, which has two one-hour sessions, is one of several offered by the Ventura Community Service Department and the nonprofit Sail Ventura. There are classes for children from age 5 to 16. Depending on age and previous experience, a kid can enroll in a Youth Sailing Clinic, Youth Intermediate Sailing, Beginning Keelboat Racing, Beginning Dinghy Racing, an Island Cruising Course and even Celestial Navigation. Most of these classes convene at the Marina Park Dock in Ventura.

The Pee Wee course, for instance, has a session today at 3:30 p.m., a good chance to drop by and see what’s involved. It’s too late to enroll in the class, the second half of a two-day course that began Tuesday. But places are available in the Pee Wee course that meets Tuesday and July 24. The fee is $35.

The next Youth Sailing Clinic, for kids 9-14, meets July 14--and is held Monday through Friday. Youth Intermediate sailors, ages 11-16, meet July 21-25. Keelboat students next meet July 30; the Dinghy Racers, July 31; Island Cruising meets by individual arrangement; and those interested in Celestial Navigation have their first of eight meetings July 14. Fees vary and, for some classes, a certain level of experience is a prerequisite.

Courses take place on the ocean, under sail, on Olympics-class boats with trained instructors. Everybody wears life vests throughout. Parents must sign a permission form called a “sailing waiver” the first day of class.

If your child isn’t ready to set sail, perhaps watching the NASA Mars landing Friday on TV will work up an interest in Celestial Navigation.

BE THERE

Sailing lessons, offered by Ventura’s Community Service Department and Sail Ventura, for kids ages 5 to 16 at Marina Park Dock in Ventura, at the end of Pierpont Boulevard. Multiple weekend and weekday sessions. Call (805) 658-4726 for information on age- and experience-appropriate courses. Cost: $35 to $95.