Septemberfest Adds Program: Sailing 101

Sailing 101 – Get Outdoors PA, 9/27/14 10am-noon

Yellow Creek State Park, Day Use Area

Join us to explore the sport and art of sailing on Yellow Creek Lake. This two-hour session begins with a lesson on the parts of the sailboat and introduces future sailors to the basics of wind awareness, sail trim, and points of sail. US Sailing Certified instructors will be on hand. After this orientation, in the second hour each student will have the chance to enjoy a short sail accompanied by a experienced sailor (weather permitting).

This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of Yellow Creek and hosted by the IUP Sailing Club. Sailing 101 is part of the annual Septemberfest at the park. Participants are invited to enjoy music, kayaking, paddle-boarding and other activities throughout the day. Following the program, you will also have the chance to see IUP and Pitt sailors compete in round-the-buoys racing.

We will wear PFDs, but to participate, sailors must be physically capable of swimming 50 yards in clothing and shoes.  Your instructors will conduct the class with your safety in mind; like all outdoor activities, sailing entails certain risks. We’ll try to stay dry and capsizes are rare, but waterproof shoes and a change of clothes are recommended.

Pre-registration required. Participation is free but is limited to 12 students over the age of 10 years. To register call the Park Office at (724) 357-7913 or register online at: http://bit.ly/FOYC-Sail101-Fall2014

Donation Thanks

Generous donors have helped Friends of Yellow Creek embark on a new phase in the promotion of sailing at the park. We now have two Escape Captiva sailboats that members who participate in Community Sailing can access.  Do you remember the good old days of the Sailing Base? Well, FOYC is helping to bring back that facility AND we’re gathering a small fleet of boats for community use.

The Escape Captiva is an ideal small dingy for one or two sailors.  Beginners will appreciate its easy righting power (yes, everyone capsizes from time to time.) And more experienced sailors will take advantage of the unique roller furling main sail to challenge themselves with high winds in the Fall!

Friends of Yellow Creek thanks Joe Charny and the Moraine Sailing Club (of Lake Arthur) for these donations.  Contact friendsofyellowcreek@gmail.com for more information on Yellow Creek sailing.

escape
Two young sailors giving the FOYC Escape sailboat a trial run earlier this summer.

Craft Table Spaces Available

Crafters:

Would you would like to set up a table and tent to sell homemade crafts at SeptemberFest?

You may set up as early as 8am.

We ask a donation of $25 to Friends of Yellow Creek.

Contact friendsofyellowcreek@gmail.com for more information.

January 2013 Update

As area residents know, drilling and development within the park conservation zone has halted for the time being.  It is unclear whether this is the result of geological feature making it unprofitable or the drop in gas prices.

At this time, there are still leases in the conservation zone which could be developed.

The legal status of local Marcellus legislation is in limbo.  If you are interested in this issue as it impacts Indiana county, you may want to follow the activites of the Coalition for a Healthy County.  http://coalitionforahealthycounty.wordpress.com/