The Syracuse University Club Sailing team is a group of students who have a shared love for sailing or a passion to learn how to sail. Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) students of all skill levels are welcome. There is no tryout necessary to join.
With both fall and spring seasons, the team has time for many practices and regattas (competitive races). Both practices and regattas are optional to attend. Practices are coached by members who are Level 1-3 Certified Instructors. Practices are held, on average, twice a week at Cazenovia Lake until the lake freezes over, and then they start up again in the spring. There are also several regattas in the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (MAISA) that welcome both new and experienced sailors. Regattas vary in terms of skill level, location and type of boat involved. The team even hosts their own regatta in the fall, giving new members a chance to introduce themselves and get out on the water right away. Schools including the University of Rochester, Stony Brook University and Cornell University participate. The team also travels to other similar regattas, as well as participates in Big Boat regattas such as the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR). The appropriate gear needed for regattas is distributed from a combination of the team's collection and members' personal equipment.
The "Commodores," elected board members, run weekly meetings to share information such as upcoming team bonding events (e.g. ice skating, white elephant, "Sailsgiving"), philanthropy opportunities (e.g. Food Recovery Network) and regatta schedules. The membership fee varies per semester and given year. Dues go towards paying for equipment, travel, hotels, events, etc. There is also no requirement to be involved in both semesters.
Currently, the team has approximately 70 members, and this number is growing every year! Maintaining a constant fun and safe environment is one of Club Sailing's main goals. There is no mandatory attendance, but "what you put in is what you get out of it," and many members find that the team ends up feeling like a group of best friends. If you are interested in joining or have any further questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to syracuse.sailing@gmail.com, or message the team on Instagram and Facebook.
