The Fair Haven River Rats, a 70-year- old non-profit educational sailing organization on the Navesink River, is gearing up for the summer sailing season and is calling all children, adults and families who have ever thought of learning to sail, to take the plunge – and the helm! The organization, which is not a traditional yacht club, offers junior as well as adult sailing lessons. Over the years, thousands of people from all walks of life have learned to navigate the waters.
David Downie, a Fair Haven resident and trustee of the organization whose children learned to sail at River Rats, noted that it is 100% volunteer-run. “There is a tremendous amount of work involved with operating and maintaining River Rats,” Downie stated, “but I am rewarded each summer when I see gleeful youngsters cheerfully riding their bikes past my house to River Rats for their day of sailing instruction.” Downie believes River Rats is unique because multiple generations of families have learned to sail together, and many stay involved.
“There is no better place in the area where children and adults can learn to sail in a fun, comfortable and collaborative environment with sweeping views of the Navesink River,” said Downie. Stellar young students who excel in the program also have opportunities to become instructors when they turn 14 years old.
Registration for youth sailing is available at Junior Training Signup – River Rats Inc. There are still a few spots available for the upcoming season.
In 1991, River Rats was notably recognized in the 1991 Fair Haven Master Plan as “a longstanding institution and recreational resource of the Borough of Fair Haven.” With so many benefits to offer, River Rats looks forward to hearing the positive comments submitted by Fair Haven residents on the recent master plan update survey.
River Rats operates on the concept that everyone can benefit from learning to sail. Taught by seasoned sailor J.P. Polubiec, adult sailing classes combine textbook learning with on-the-water practice sessions, allowing students to gain valuable ‘hands on’ experience with River Rats-owned boats. The first sailing class begins on Saturday June 13 with subsequent sessions on 6/20 and 6/13.
Orientation is on June 6. More sessions will be scheduled depending on demand. Each class will have a classroom session and an on-the-water session. The classroom session covers basic sailing theory and nomenclature including parts of a sailboat, rigging, how to make a sailboat sail, and basic knots. The on-the- water sessions provide hands-on experience and includes rigging and unrigging, trimming sails, the different points of sail, time at the helm, and approaching a mooring and a dock. Polubiec noted that sailing is an excellent way to develop confidence, improve communication skills, thrive in changing environments, power through challenges and assume a leadership role.
“Sailing is inherently collaborative,” Polubiec said, adding, “Even at the beginner level, it depends on communication, trust, and shared effort.” He praised the River Rats program for emphasizing intentional, inclusive and ego-free learning. Registration for adult sailing is available at Adult Sailing Program – River Rats Inc.
For more information on the programs offered by River Rats, visit the website
www.riverratssailing.org
About River Rats
River Rats, Inc. is a 70-year-old non-profit educational sailing club on the Navesink River which is fully operated and maintained by volunteers. The organization provides both a junior sailing program and an adult sailing program.
Membership is not needed to take part in the classes, however; members receive substantial discounts and have first priority. In addition to the sailing programs, River Rats provides social events and a racing series for members, in addition to opportunities to join invitational regattas with other sailing clubs and special social events. River Rats is a member of U.S. Sailing and the North Jersey Yacht Racing Association. The flagship youth sailing program has trained thousands of children to date, and the adult training program allows entire families to learn to sail together.
River Rats is an affordable, friendly and welcoming organization whose members are drawn together by a love of sailing. The address is 120 Battin Road, Fair Haven, N.J. 07704. Mooring space is available for members along with berths for kayaks and paddle boards with a full schedule of seasonal social events including fun sailing races, regattas and barbecues on Wednesday evenings and other special events throughout the season.
The 3 primary goals of River Rats are to promote aquatic activities amongst children and their families; to offer training that emphasizes and prioritizes safety; and to provide facilities to accomplish these goals which also include social events for both members and the greater community.
COVER PHOTO: The Sun Sets Over The Navesink As River Rats Celebrate A Successful Season of Sailing