You Asked,
We Answered
Take a look at our frequently asked questions page to get answers to your burning questions.
What is our purpose?
The purpose of the Wheaton College Sailing Club is to foster a Christ-centered student community through the shared interest of sailing, both within Wheaton College and with other institutions. We strive to advance student knowledge of, passion for, and involvement with sailing. In all these goals, our desire is to glorify God through our interest in sailing.
Who can Join?
Any undergraduate student at Wheaton College is welcome (and encouraged!) to join the team. From seasoned sailors looking to improve their skills to curious newcomers, all skills and abilities are accepted. While experience is appreciated, it is not required to join the club.
Why should I Join?
Because sailing is awesome!
Where do we sail?
The location for weekly practices is TBD, but we will also take excursions to Northwestern University's sailing center in Chicago. Northwestern has 420s and Hobie Cats that we can take out.
What Boats do we sail?
The team sails collegiate 420s. These boats are doublehanded, meaning that they are manned by both a skipper and a crew. Individuals learning how to sail will be taught by an instructor on a Sonar: a keelboat that fits about 5 people. On excursions to Northwestern's sailing facility we may use Hobie Cats as well, which are small catamaran boats.
When do we practice?
Practices will be in the afternoon (more details to come about a specific time). We sail for 9 weeks in the fall and 8 weeks in the spring. During our off-season (November-February) you can anticipate dryland workouts, Red Cross/CPR trainings, swim tests, and other fun activities).
What does practice look like?
A typical practice will start with on-land activities. These duties will include gearing up (sailors will put on appropriate cold-weather or warm-weather gear and ready themselves to sail), rigging of the boats (preparing them for sailing), and a lesson and overview of drills for the afternoon. After the lesson, sailors will launch their boats into the water, participate in warm-up exercises and drills relevant to the lesson taught, then pull their boats out of the water after on-the-water activities are finished. To finish off the practice, sailors will de-rig the boats, change back into street clothes, and listen to a debrief of how drills went/how to improve for the next practice.
What should I expect?
If you are a beginner, you will be learning to sail on a Sonar. An instructor will teach you and 3-4 others basic boat handling skills and have you get comfortable with different positions (crewing vs. skipping). A sailor with some background will improve their skills while sailing in a 420. An instructor will help you understand the dynamics of more complicated concepts, such as racing rules and more competitive sailing tactics.
What is competitive sailing?
The Wheaton Sailing Team will soon be a member of MCSA (Midwest Collegiate Sailing Association). Under this organization, we will have the authority to compete in regattas locally in Illinois and regionally across the Midwest. Regattas typically last the weekend. The team will drive to the sailing center hosting the regatta on Friday, stay the weekend to sail all day Saturday and Sunday, and drive back to campus Sunday evening.
What do i need to do?
Sailors need to make an appointment Wheaton's Student Health Services for a physical exam, pass a swim test (proctored by Wheaton Sailing’s faculty advisor: Dr. Park), and fill out the Club Sport Passport to Participation form that includes the items above and two waivers to sign.
What Should i bring?
Look to our What Gear Do I Need? page!
More questions? Email wheatonsailingclub@wheaton.edu