Students Complete Opti - Launch Date May 14th  

After months of hard work over the winter, the students in the Accredited After School Program have completed their two wooden optimist dinghies.  The students are excited to see their work completed and are ready to put their newfound craftsmanship to the test.  The perfect test will come on Saturday, May 14th when the students launch and sail their optis from the HRCS docks.  For completing this program, students will earn a science credit towards their high school graduation. 

The students have been hard at work on the boats since November.   The students spent the first month learning the fundamentals of tool safety, proper sawing method, and about the different types of wood.  Following this introduction, the students constructed the mold for the boat, completing it in early January.  Building the mold served as an excellent introduction to the process of wooden boat building and it taught the students how to convert metric to imperial, how to read a 1/16 scale ruler, how to read a technical diagram, and about different types of wood.   

The students then measured out and cut the boat bottom, sides, bow, and stern to make the shell of the boat.  At this stage, students tested to see which type of wood is stronger, plywood or hardwood, in an experiment entitled "Man vs. Nature".  The students also learned about buoyancy, hydrodynamics and boat design.  

For pictures from the program, check out the Accredited After School Program page.  HRCS would like to thank our partner Brooklyn Boatworks that has supplied its extensive boat building experience as well as boat plans to make this program possible.  HRCS would also like to thank Richmond County Yacht Club, the Ellis family, and the Linden family for donating the hardware, rig, and sail for the optis.  Please join us on May 14th at the HRCS boat house for this exciting event and to route on our student boat-builders.   

Youth Season Begins with Beautiful Sailing 

With the end of the winter boat-building portion of the Accredited After School Program, the same students who spent the winter learning the science of boat building are back out on the water learning the math and science of sailing.  Upon completion of the spring portion, students can earn a math credit towards their high school graduation. 

 

The spring program lasts until the beginning of June and takes students through three units - each building upon the previous.  Students begin by learning about Sail Area and Mechanical Advantage then to the study of Sailing in Current and finally to the understanding of the concept of Apparent Wind.  Through these units, students gain a practical, hands-on application and understanding of Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry that they would otherwise not receive in their regular schooling.   

 

The idea behind this portion of the Accredited After School Program is to make math more accessible, easier to understand, and more interesting for students that find math as it is taught traditionally too abstract and boring.  Bringing math concepts to life through sailing allows students to truly see and feel math and it answers the age-old question, "When am I going to use this in life?"   

 

For more information on the Math and Science Behind Sailing portion of the Accredited After School Program (AASP), check out the AASP page. 

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Student Profile: Sydney Riemer  

 

We sat down with Sydney Riemer, one of the students in the Accredited After School Program, and asked her some questions about the program.

HRCS: Sydney, what school do you attend?

Sydney Riemer: I attend the NYC Lab School on 17th Street. 

HRCS: How long have you been in the HRCS programs?

SR: I have been in the programs since September of 2010. 

HRCS: What do you want to be when you grow up?

SR: I want to be a journalist or a documentary film maker. 

HRCS: What is your best memory from HRCS? 

SR: My best memory from HRCS was sailing the boats from SUNY Maritime back to HRCS.  It was very long and cold but it was very enjoyable and a great experience. 

HRCS: What skills have you gained from the HRCS programs?

SR: I have learned how to sail a large boat, how to start a motor, how to tie knots that I can use even when not sailing, and teamwork.   

HRCS:  Would you like to continue being part of HRCS?  If so, which programs would you like to be a part of?

SR: I would definitely like to continue being a part of HRCS.  I am excited to race as part of the HRCS sailing team.  

HRCS: Would you recommend this program to a friend?  If so, what would you say to convince them to join?

SR:  I would recommend this program to a friend.  I would tell them how fun and nice it is to be able to sail in NYC.  I would also tell them how much I've learned and about the new people I've met.

HRCS: Recently a lot of people have been coming in to the program to speak about their careers.  Have you learned anything from these presentations?  

SR: I did learn a lot about what its like to have certain careers, what office life can be like, how certain jobs handle money and money distribution differently, and much more.  

HRCS: Which career speaker interested you the most?

SR:  The man who came from Doctors without Borders.  I had heard of the organization before but I didn't know exactly what it was they did.  

HRCS:  Did any of the career presentations change your mind about what you would like to be when you grow up?   

SR:  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) none of the presentations changed my mind.  They were all very interesting, but I suppose I am persistent with what I am thinking about being now. 

The 2011 Season Has Arrived!  Don't Miss Out! 

Its hard to believe, but the 2011 HRCS season is here.  If you've never sailed before, try a Taste of Sailing and get the opportunity to drive and sail a sailboat with an instructor on board.  Looking to brush up on your skills?  Take a Basic Keelboat Certification Course and receive a US Sailing certification or take a private lesson and receive one on one instruction.  Looking to sail frequently, join a vibrant social community, and be part of fun, competitive racing?  Join our membership.  Mentor sails, lesson discounts, and going sailing as often as you want will ensure that you learn the art and science of sailing in no time.  Weekly racing opportunities and organized member sailing trips will allow you to practice and show off your skills.