I've never sailed before...can I still sail?
One of CUST's greatest virtues is that we train many new sailors each semester. Anyone interested in learning to race is welcome at practice. Those who come often will pick up the basics in no time. Several team members who sail regattas for us every weekend never sailed before college.
Where do you sail?
We practice out of City Island Yacht Club on Eastchester Bay, about a 25 minute ride from campus. We are a five-minute boat ride from Fordham, New York Maritime, and King's Point, and we often practice with these teams as well. Starting this spring, we will be practice with Fordham University’s team once a week as we combine our fleets and we will be hosting regattas with Fordham in the fall of 2010. Our Team competes in MAISA, the Mid-Atlantic district of ICSA. In addition to MAISA regattas, we travel to NEISA and SAISA for some events, and compete against College Sailing's top teams every weekend.
Who can join?
The Sailing Team is an undergraduate team; only undergraduates can compete in ICSA regattas.
What is the schedule and time commitment?
The team holds practice starting the first Tuesday after Spring Break in the Spring and starting the first Tuesday after Labor Day in the Fall. Tuesday and Thursday practices are racing practices geared towards experienced sailors interested in competing at college regattas. These practices run from 2:30pm until 7:30pm. Friday practices are open to everyone, regardless of experience, and are run from 12pm-4:30pm. Sailors determine their own actual commitment, though racing team members are encouraged to attend as many practices as they can. Regatta team selection is often based on practice attendance. Off the water, sailors are encouraged to take part in running the team. The team determines all aspects of CUST; as a Student Club we are completely student-run. Please join us for our weekly Monday Night Meeting in 302 Hamilton at 9pm to hear about any special scheduling changes for the week and the other projects the team is working on. .
What boats do you sail?
College sailing is mainly double handed dinghies. We practice in Flying Juniors, and mainly compete in FJs, 420s, and Vanguard 15s. We are in the process of purchasing 10 new 420s which will begin to practice and host regattas in the fall of 2010. We also send sailors to single hand qualifiers in Lasers and Laser Radials for our district each fall. .
Outside of practice and regattas, what else do you do?
The team hosts several social and alumni events each year. We have a formal to celebrate the close to each season and have several team dinners throughout the year. In the fall, we host our Alumni Regatta out of our home yacht club, City Island, where alums compete for the coveted Hapgood Trophy. Additionally, each spring we also host an Alumni Dinner. As for traveling, we make a trip to Miami, FL for Spring Break for training and team bonding.
Is there a fee?
Team Dues are $165 per semester. First-time sailors get a reduced fee of $125 their first semester.