With gas prices on the rise, Susan Peterson Gateley hopes more people will take an interest in the most natural form of energy - the wind.
A sailing instructor with Silver Waters Sailing, Gateley will be holding a free Sample Sailing Night on Wednesday, on Lake Ontario in Fair Haven, as a way to hopefully spark interest in the sport.
“What I do is usually almost always use a 19-foot boat called a Lightning that is sailed with three people plus an instructor,” she said. “It's a very beginning sailing lesson.”
She focuses on the basics - points of the sails, moving upwind or downwind and tacking and jibing through the wind.
Although her free lesson must be limited to no more than three, she said she can schedule more if the public shows an interest.
“I think there's just a tinge more interest this year in sailing because of the gas prices,” Gately said.
During the lesson, she puts the students right to work. One person steers, while the others trim the main sail and jib. They rotate through and she said what gets covered often just depends on how fast each person learns.
Post lesson, those who want to continue can schedule private lessons with Gateley at a rate of $50 for two hours. She said typically she likes to see people take three lessons because weather conditions are a major factor in sailing. The more a person goes out, the more likely they will become comfortable in fog, wind and different lake conditions.
“I've definitely had a few successes where people have loved it so much they went out and bought their own boats,” she said.
If you go
What: Sample Sailing Night
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Lake Ontario, Fair Haven
Cost: Free
For details: Call 594-1906 to reserve a spot
- Class size is limited to three, but Gateley said she will accommodate a few more dates if there is enough interest.
“What I do is usually almost always use a 19-foot boat called a Lightning that is sailed with three people plus an instructor,” she said. “It's a very beginning sailing lesson.”
She focuses on the basics - points of the sails, moving upwind or downwind and tacking and jibing through the wind.
Although her free lesson must be limited to no more than three, she said she can schedule more if the public shows an interest.
“I think there's just a tinge more interest this year in sailing because of the gas prices,” Gately said.
During the lesson, she puts the students right to work. One person steers, while the others trim the main sail and jib. They rotate through and she said what gets covered often just depends on how fast each person learns.
Post lesson, those who want to continue can schedule private lessons with Gateley at a rate of $50 for two hours. She said typically she likes to see people take three lessons because weather conditions are a major factor in sailing. The more a person goes out, the more likely they will become comfortable in fog, wind and different lake conditions.
“I've definitely had a few successes where people have loved it so much they went out and bought their own boats,” she said.
If you go
What: Sample Sailing Night
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Lake Ontario, Fair Haven
Cost: Free
For details: Call 594-1906 to reserve a spot
- Class size is limited to three, but Gateley said she will accommodate a few more dates if there is enough interest.
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