Sailing at Yellow Creek

Yellow Creek Lake is a wonderful place to sail. FOYC is proud to collaborate with the IUP Coop and the DCNR, through its Get Outdoors PA program. We are always looking for experienced sailors to volunteer and help improve our offerings.

FOYC has been sponsoring the building of Puddle Duck Racers as a way to encourage sailing at the park.

Join the Club

Current FOYC members may donate an additional $35 to participate in the sailing club. You may print and mail your membership form along with an additional donation of $35 to:
FOYC Treasurer Yellow Creek State Park
170 Route 259 Highway
Penn Run, PA 15765-5941
Or you may submit it at the park office.

Benefits include:

use of the “club” PDRs
access to rack storage for your PDR
participation in group lessons and other sailing events

For availability of PDR rack space, please email friendsofyellowcreek@gmail.com DCNR mooring decals are required for private boats. Summer and winter storage of “club” designated boats is an option on a space-available basis.

Build Your Own Puddle Duck Sailboat

The PDR is a great platform for learning to sail. We will arrange small-group lessons in the PDRs for interested members. If you know how to sail, we encourage club participants to use one of four “club” PDRs. Sailing club members should be willing to contribute a half-day of volunteering.

You can find information about building your own PDR with FOYCon our website. Each winter we provide opportunites to participate in a “group build.” Many people also choose to download free plans from www.pdracer.com and build their own.

Already Sail?

Certify and Rent DCNR Boats

You can rent one of the park’s sailboats (sloop or catamaran) if you are an experienced sailor. To assist the park in maintaining this rental option, FOYC offers you the opportunity to “certify” according to US Sailing Small Boat standards. Beginning in summer 2012, only certified sailors will be eligible to rent DCNR boats at Yellow Creek.

US Sailing standards include: Identifying, Wind Direction and Indicators, Rigging/Unrigging, knot Tying and Coiling, Rules of the Road (right of way), Departure/Landing, Steering, Safety Position, Tacking, Points of Sail,Jibing, Capsize Recovery, Overboard Recovery, Getting out of Irons, and Upwind Sailing.

If you are comfortable with the above, please contact FOYC (FriendsOfYellowCreek@gmail.com) to arrange for a sailing test.

Want to Learn?

The certification option above is for those with prior experience and confidence in their sailing ability. You have several options for learning to sail at Yellow Creek if you’re not yet experienced enough to certify.

Private Lessons

Whether you are a complete beginner or a former sailor looking to polish your skills, private lessons can be helpful. Rocky Sprow has offered private lessons at the park for many years. Contact him to make arrangements: 724-479-3187

Get Outdoors PA

FOYC and Yefllow Creek staff will offer at least two, free Learn to Sail programs in Puddle Ducks each summer. Please check the website and calendar for the next opportunity.

Group Club Lessons

Depending on the interest and needs of club members, FOYC will offer group lessons to those who want to learn to sail PDRs. Join the club and contact us if you are interested. These can be informal, for those who simply want to learn to sail their PDR better or can lead to US Sailing Certification. Lessons will be lead by a certified US Sailing Instructor.