Become a Skipper through the Mentor Program
If you wish to become an MYC Skipper, the Mentor Program is a great opportunity for you. This program helps to prepare Members who want to become skippers. It is a volunteer program and part of the spirit of Manhattan Yacht Club. Many Members who have come up through our programs then give back by educating the next generation of skippers.
MYC Mentors are experienced skippers who volunteer their time and share their sailing know-how. This will help prepare you for your Skipper Certification test. The current Skipper Mentors are:
Gabriel Krochmal (Program Head)
Jay Parekh
Erik Thygesen
Sara Burke
plus Kinya Tago, Ray Quinn, Patty Bryan & Sonya Mesommonta.
Are You Ready?
If you wish to be considered for the Mentor Program, you should already have:
- ability to rig (including choice of foresail) and de-rig a J/24
- knowledge and demonstration of all points of sail
- confidence and competence in tacking and jibing from all points of sail
- ability to tie basic knots and understanding of when and where to use them
- a good knowledge of our harbor
- knowledge of club and safety rules
- a detailed understanding of the J/24 boats we sail
- conversant with rules of the road
- knowledge and demonstration of basic safety procedures under normal and adverse conditions
And don’t forget about those knots you should know how to tie! If you aren’t sure about your readiness, we recommend that you sail with skippers and fleet captains as much as you can, and ask them to show and train you the essential sailing skills.
How the Mentor Program Works
1) Members will request to join the Mentor Program by filling out a form on the club website which describes their sailing experience and ideal time-line for becoming a skipper (this form will be created soon, in the meantime, email office@myc.org).
2) Each request will be evaluated by the Head of the Mentor Program who will assign each Mentee to work with one Mentor.
3) A Mentor may schedule a “mentor sail” at any time with the Club office.
4) The Mentor will reserve the boat through the club reservation system. Mentor sails will not count towards a Skipper’s “one reservation on the books at a time.” The Mentor may bring sailing any Mentees they wish to. Each Mentor can decide how many Mentees to bring on their sails. Mentors may also bring a First Mate if they wish.
5) The Mentors and Mentees will communicate directly.
6) It is anticipated that each Mentor will be assigned up to 5 Mentees. This means each Mentor will communicate with up to 5 people. The expectation shall be communicated to the Mentee that the Mentors are volunteers and that Mentees should not consume extra time by writing frequent or unnecessary emails to Mentors. Communication should be kept streamlined and to a minimum.
7) The Mentee should also recognize that the Mentor is doing this on a volunteer basis. The Mentee should express their appreciation to their Mentor by bringing them beer, wine or other drinks, as well as BBQ to cook after sailing, or buying them lunches or dinners at a nearby restaurant.
8) The Mentor Program is not “unlimited” training. It is expected that a Mentee will take training very seriously, and after approximately 5 training sessions be ready to challenge the Skipper Certification Test. The Mentor will advise the Mentee when they think the Mentee is ready to challenge the test.
9) A Mentor can stop mentoring any Mentee at any time and send the Mentee back to the head of the program for reassignment. The head of the program can ask any Mentee to practice more outside of the Mentor Program if their skills are not yet within reasonable reach of becoming a skipper.
10) At all times, everyone must understand that the Mentors are volunteering their valuable time and expertise and that this program works best when the Mentees appreciate the value they are getting from the Mentors and treat them with the proper respect and rewards so that the Mentors wish to keep volunteering their time to help other Members achieve their Skipper Certifications.
Next Steps:
When you feel ready to join the Mentor Program, join one of our monthly virtual meetings or get in touch with one of the Mentors directly.
Virtual Meeting Dates 2022:
- – 10th May 7pm
- – 7th June 7pm
- – 5th July 7pm
- – 9th Aug 7pm
Please email the head of the program, Gabriel Krochmal at office@myc.org and you will receive the link/ details for the next virtual meeting. In case you are not able joining one of our virtual meetings, please ask for the contact details of one of the mentors at the club house. They are happy to discuss individually your best way in becoming a future Skipper.