NYSS SUMMER 2023 REGISTRATION INFORMATION
IMPORTANT
There is a LOT of information to digest on this page. However, because we expect high
demand this summer, it is very important that you have all the necessary information
ready to go before you begin the process of logging into the registration system.
Accordingly, please read the following information carefully. Please contact us by email
HERE with any questions or concerns. You may also call us
at (231) 943-NYSS (6977). Select Option “2” for Registration.
2023 SCHEDULE
Week 1: July 3-7 (NO CLASS ON JULY 4th )
Week 2: July 10-14
Week 3: July 17-21
Week 4: July 24-28
Week 5: July 31-August 4
TUITION, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND REFUNDS
Tuition will remain at $185 per session this year. Because class will not be held on
Tuesday, July 4th , tuition for Week 1 is $148.
Thanks to the generosity of the Leelanau Township Community Foundation (and other
donors) scholarships are available for youths who are year-round residents of Leelanau
Township. We also have a limited number of need-based scholarships for non-Leelanau Township
youths who need financial assistance. Please contact us so we can discuss your
circumstances.
You may cancel your registration up to two weeks before the first day of class, subject to
a $20.00 cancelation fee for each individual canceled session. Cancelations received
less than two weeks from the first day of class are non-refundable. (Cancelation
“insurance” is provided by Active Networks, our registration platform host, but this is
totally optional.)
CLASS SELECTION & PLACEMENT
Our classes fall into two categories: (a) those for new sailors; and (b) those for returning
sailors and/or sailors with relevant experience from another program.
Little Puffs and Beginners: New sailors who are ages 8 and 9 should register for the
Little Puffs class. New sailors ages 10 and up should register for our Beginners class. If
your new sailor is 8 or 9 and you are signing up for more than one week of classes this
summer, you should sign the sailor up for Little Puffs for their first week, and Beginners
for any additional week(s). All returning Little Puffs and Beginners should consult the
2023 Placement List to determine their class placement.
Intermediate, Advance Double-Hand, Advanced-Single Hand: These classes are for
returning NYSS sailors who have completed the pre-requisite classes, or sailors with
relevant experience (see below). Returning sailors may only register for one of these
classes if the sailor is shown as having been placed in the class on the 2023 Placement
List. If you plan to register for more than one week, please contact us to see what your
sailor’s placement should be for their second and subsequent weeks.
Returning Sailors – 2023 Placement List: Returning families should have received a
lengthy 2023 Registration Information email, with a link to the 2023 Placement List. If
you did not receive that email, or need a copy of the Placement List, please contact us
by email HERE.
New NYSS sailors with prior experience: If this is your sailor’s first time sailing with us,
but they have prior experience elsewhere, please email us with the relevant details
(including the type(s) of boat sailed, program length, and nature of instruction received)
so that we can determine the best placement for your sailor.
SWIMMING ABILITY, AGE, WEIGHT, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Ability to swim: All sailors must be able to swim and must be comfortable in the water.
Minimum Age: All sailors must be at least eight (8) years old by the 1st day of September, 2023.
The registration platform will not permit registration of
younger sailors. While we understand that there may be some “mature” seven-year-
olds, we cannot make any exceptions.
Older beginners: Our Beginner and Intermediate classes are taught in Optimist prams,
the largest class of sailboat in the world, and the boat in which most Olympic sailors got
their start. These boats are raced competitively around the world by sailors up to and
including 16 years of age. However, some older youths, as well as youths who are
significantly above average height for their age or who weigh over 120 lbs., may be very
cramped in our Optis. We are often able to accommodate these youths by using
another type of boat in our fleet. Please contact us if you have any concerns about this.
Weight: We have minimum weight requirements for our Advanced Double-Hand (70
lbs.) and Advance Single Hand (100 lbs.) classes. These minimums are designed to
ensure that the boats can be sailed safely, with the sailor able to keep the boat upright
in windy conditions.
Strength: Almost anyone can learn to sail, and beginners of all types will quickly
develop the coordination and agility necessary to sail. However, boats do frequently
capsize – it’s part of the fun – and it is important that our sailors have the upper body
strength necessary to get back in the boat.
WAITING LISTS
We anticipate that some of our classes may fill up very quickly this year. However, we
do have the ability to create additional class sections based on demand as reflected in
the waiting lists that will be available on the registration platform. So, if there is not an
open class that works for you, please make use of the waiting lists. We will do our best
to keep you posted as and when we know that we will have room to accommodate your
sailor.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For each sailor that you plan to register, please ensure that you have the following
information handy when you access the registration platform: (a) height, weight, and
date of birth; (b) for returning NYSS sailors, placement information from the 2023
Placement List; (c) date of the sailor’s last tetanus shot; (d) any known medical
conditions; and (e) cell phone number and email address for the person who will be the
local “emergency contact” for the sailor in Northport during the class session. Please
review our NYSS Consent to Participate/Assumption of Risk as well as
the CDC’s two-page Parent/Athlete Concussion Information Form, both of
which must be signed to complete registration and participate in the program.
The best recipe for the registration process to go smoothly is good communication.
Accordingly, please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns
you may have, or for clarification of any of the above information. We greatly appreciate
everyone’s cooperation in this process, and we are really looking forward to seeing you
and your sailors on the Northport waterfront this summer!
The NYSS Staff
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (231) 943-NYSS (9766) (press option 2)