Youth sailor from 32 years ago returns to run OOYC program
Provided photos: (Left) Becky Almeter stands at the helm of the family boat on Lake Ontario. Almeter, who was a member of the first youth sailing class 32 years ago, is leading the program this summer. (Right) Becky Almeter, foreground, sails with her brother Tim Hodgins and son Joseph Almeter during Thursday night boat races on Lake Ontario.
WATERPORT – Sailing is not only fun, relaxing and a great way to spend a sunny day, but there are other important reasons Oak Orchard Yacht Club at Point Breeze has sponsored a long-standing youth sailing program.
Children ages 9 to 18 are taught the basics of sailing and water safety and create lasting memories in a day camp setting, according to this year’s instructor, Becky Almeter of East Bethany.
Almeter is the daughter of lifelong sailors, Bob and Mary Lu Hodgins of East Bethany. Bob is commodore of the Oak Orchard Yacht Club. Almeter was a member of the very first youth sailing class in 1992.
“I grew up on the docks of Oak Orchard Yacht Club,” Almeter said. “When my parents first got our family sailboat and brought it to Oak Orchard, we were there all the time living aboard during the summer. It was our home base, and from there our family sailed all over Lake Ontario and beyond, including a trip to the Bahamas during which my two brothers and I were homeschooled on the boat.”
Almeter took the youth sailing program several years as a student, and then got her U.S. Sailing Certificate to teach, returning as instructor for several years. After leaving the area for college, she completed her U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s 6-pack commercial license and worked on the water in various capacities. She has sailed on Lake Ontario, in Florida and the Caribbean, cruising and racing,
Almeter and her husband anticipate spending much of their summer on the Oak Orchard with their five children. Oldest son Joe has been in the sailing program for the past three summers, and this year he will be joined by his sister Abby.
“I am excited about directing the program, because it was such an integral part of my childhood and I hope my children can have a part of that same experience,” Almeter said. “My memories of my childhood at OOYC were fun, carefree summers spent swimming, sailing, going to Brown’s Berry Patch for slushies, candy and ice cream, running around playing games on the club lawn and on the playground.
“I didn’t know it then, but while I was having all that fun, I was creating deep bonds with my friends, learning confidence and self-sufficiency, learning how to read weather, how to feel comfortable on open water, general ‘rules of the road’ for navigating creek traffic and countless other smaller things that kids absorb through engaged activity,” Almeter said. “In this busy day and age, when it’s a much more difficult time to be a kid, I feel like this program is able to give kids back a little more time and space – to turn off the screens, and step away from devices. To simply be kids a little bit longer – having fun, learning skills hands-on, being active and engaging in teamwork – all the things that enrich their minds and bodies in a ‘back-to-basics’ way.”
The youth sailing program is a win-win for both parents and kids, according to Almeter. It builds many life skills, including teamwork, weather and wind awareness, knot tying, boat handling and more. Also, it is a healthy activity that gets kids outside, while having tons of fun and making new friends.
“Our youth sailing program provides an introduction to an activity kids can enjoy for a lifetime,” reads a pamphlet provided by OOYC.
Youth sailing camp begins each day at Oak Orchard Yacht Club, 1103 Archbald Rd., Waterport. Dates are July 8-12 and 15-19 for Session 1 and July 22-26 and July 29-Aug. 2 for Session 2. Camp is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Campers bring their own lunch.
Instructors decide where to sail and take lunch break each day, based on the weather and curriculum. Parents can often watch their young sailors from the pier at Point Breeze.
Instructors are U.S. Sailing certified, with a low student-to-instructor ratio. They follow the latest safety guidelines, including a mandatory swim test for all campers.
Cost is $460 for one session of 10 days or $685 for two sessions. Discounts available include a sibling discount, OOYC member discount and early registration discount by May 1. Families should contact the Yacht Club to discuss pricing.
Registration can be done online by logging on to ooyc.org and clicking on Youth Sailing from the top banner. Once registration is completed, an invoice and any necessary paperwork will be sent by OOYC. A current medical form, waiver and safety agreement must be completed for each camper.
“I am truly honored to be leading the sailing program this year, and am looking forward to a safe, fun program for all our sailors,” Almeter said.
More information can also be obtained by contacting Almeter at (585) 813-7259 (call or text) or e-mailing beckya@hodginsengraving.com.
