The Navy Patuxent Sailing Club, in conjunction with the NAS Patuxent River office of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), is pleased to offer FREE sailing and FREE sailing instruction to E-5 and below Enlisted Personnel.
This program is supported through volunteer efforts of the Club, and special funding made available through MWR.
How does the program work? Enlisted Personnel E-5 and below can join the club with full benefits for FREE, and will automatically be enrolled in the Enlisted Sail Training Program as well. ESTP members can join race crews for FREE, join in club-sponsored sailing events for FREE, and take advantage of special ESTP training opportunities for FREE. ESTP members can also “rent” small sailboats on their own for FREE, after obtaining the appropriate skipper qualifications.
The ESTP training includes the Navy B-KBS (Keel Boat Skipper) certification, which entitles the skipper to sail one of MWR’s three Catalina 16.5 foot sailboats around the local area during daylight hours. These boats hold up to 5 people, are extremely stable, and very easy to handle. The Navy B-KBS certification will also allow skippers to rent small sailboats at other Navy MWR facilities world-wide.
There is also an option to obtain the American Sailing Association (ASA) 101 “Basic Keelboat Sailing” skipper certification, which is recognized at many private marinas throughout the U.S.
The ESTP Training also includes Big-Boat Crew Training. PAX River MWR owns four 44-foot Luders Yawls. Formerly used as sail training vessels at both the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S Coat Guard Academy, these sturdy yet classically elegant boats offer excellent recreational and competitive sailing opportunities for small teams to enjoy together. With two masts, 7+ sails, and a crew size from four to eight persons, there is always something to do and much to be learned. The Club races these boats weekly spring through fall in the local Wednesday evenings series, and in occasional longer races throughout the year. A few old salts and die-hards even race them in the “Frost Bite” series, late fall and early spring. We are always looking for capable and enthusiastic crew, and we are happy to teach and mentor those new to the sport.
MWR also offers sailing on two intermediate size boats, the 25-foot Catalina 250s. With an outboard engine for when the wind dies, small galley, and RV-style head, these boats are great for a couple, small group of friends, or a young family to venture off to another marina or anchor out over night under the stars in a secluded cove. NPSC classes will teach you everything you need to know to safely enjoy this unique adventure on your own.
ESTP Members may pick and choose from the individual events they want to attend. Sailing is obviously not anyone’s top priority, so come to specific events when you can, and take care of other priorities when you need to. There is no commitment, except to cancel your reservations to specific events in a timely manner so that others might take advantage of the opportunity.
Membership in the Club is available to anyone who has access to the Patuxent River NAS (have your own CAC card, or equivalent) including Active Duty, Reserve, and Retired Military of all branches of service; Civilian DoD Employees; and DoD Contractors with base access. Membership Fees and training course prices are based on membership category and rank. Annual Membership fees range between $45 and $85. To see membership fees visit NavyPaxSail.com and select “Member Signup” in the left margin. Then choose your membership type to see the applicable yearly fee.
The FREE ESTP program is open to active duty and reserve E-5 and below Enlisted Personnel from all branches of service. To sign up just select “Member Signup” in the left margin. Then select “E-5 and below” for your membership type, and you will be able to join for free. (Verification of rank is not required, but membership type is subject to audit by the Club and MWR.)
This informational meeting for the ESTP program Saturday, 22 May, 1300 hours will be at the NPSC clubhouse, near the West Basin Marina office aboard Patuxent River NAS. For directions to the clubhouse select "About NPSC" from the main menu on the left margin. Then select "Who We Are" and scroll to the bottom of the page. The afternoon's events will include an introductory sail aboard the Luders Yawls (weather permitting) and FREE beverages and sandwiches. Registration for this event is encouraged, (so we know how many to expect) but not required. Feel free to just drop by if you find yourself unexpectedly free that Saturday afternoon.
Participation in the Informational meeting is not required; feel free to register for the program and register for subsequent events on your own.
If you have questions about the Enlisted Sail Training Program, or the Navy Patuxent Sailing Club generally, please e-mail the ESTP Coordinator Barney Feist at ESTP@NavyPaxSail.com
We look forward meeting you, 22 May, 1300.