Essential Eligibity Requirements

Sarasota Youth Sailing Essential Eligibility Requirements 

Safe participation at Sarasota Youth Sailing (SYS) requires certain physical, mental, emotional, and social health abilities, and we are therefore limited in the types of accommodations we are able to provide, and the participants we can serve in the various formats of sail training SYS operates. What follows are the essential eligibility requirements for participants in our Fall and Spring race team programs.

An eligible participant must:

• Demonstrate basic water skills, including swimming in a PFD 100 feet unaided and without stopping.

• Be able to identify and recognize hazards independently, including, but not limited to, rough water, boat collisions, falling, capsizing, and other risks associated with the marine environment and the sport of sailing.

• Be able to exit a capsized boat, fend for self while in the water away from the boat, attain and maintain correct body position if out of a vessel in rough seas, exit out of the water to shore, grabbing onto another boat or line as necessary for rescue purposes, and perform self-rescue and/or cooperate with an assisted rescue.
• Be able to move around the vessel as necessary to perform tasks such as sail setting and striking and /or avoid hazards on board, such as avoiding the boom during a change in tack.
• Be able to observe and assess sail trim, the surrounding navigational environment, and the hazards that are inherent in the operation of a vessel.
• Be able to understand verbal and visual instructions individually and in a group setting, and follow such instructions whether supervised or not.
• Be able to comprehend hazards and safety concerns when explained, and to adhere to safety policies and procedures even when instructors are not present.
• Be able to identify and recognize hazards posed by the environment (e.g. water, sun, wind, cold, etc.) and other participants.
• Be able to effectively communicate with others personal distress, injury or need for assistance, and communicate to others any hazards and dangers that they perceive.
• Be able to stay properly hydrated and nourished and learn skills for self-care, including proper hygiene and use of clothing and equipment in the marine environment.
• Be able to contribute to a safe social and learning environment and maintain appropriate relationships with other group members and instructors, refrain from harassment and bullying, and all other behavior that disrupts the learning of others or the cohesion of the group.