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White Lake
Yacht Club
Sailing
School
Celebrating 83 years
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following:
History
1920's &
30's
The White Lake Yacht Club Sailing School holds the enviable
position of being the oldest Sailing School with a continuous
uninterrupted record of service, having used a written text since its
inception. It prides itself on the fact that it is run solely for the
benefit of the members of the club, their children, grandchildren,
and wards. For young and old alike, a three year course with
instructors that have always been chosen from the ranks of its
graduates. Entirely self supporting, without club subsidies, it has
taught sailing to three generations.
In the fall and winter of 1925 and '26, John G. Guerin (Jack), and
Clarence E. Pitkin developed a plan to start a Sailing School
program. Early in 1926 Jack and Loker Chittenden completed the text
for the new school and Loker volunteered to be its first instructor.
The course was terminated, as it is now, with a final exam. The
successful candidates received their diplomas at the Pirate's Ball.
This method of presenting the diplomas was used until 1933, when the
Sailing School had its first graduation exercises.
Mr. Guerin carried on as Sailing School supervisor, assisted by
Harry Pillinger, until 1933, when Alvin M. Youngquist succeeded him
but was then elected Commodore in 1935. He then appointed Loker
Chittenden supervisor with Bill Getz, class of 1927, instructor. In
1936 the Sadony boys and John DeFraga were appointed and served as
joint instructors. Mac Butterfield followed in 1937 and '38 then Neil
G. Manny in 1939.
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1940's
The decade of the 1940's saw Commodore Alvin Youngquist resume
duties of Supervisor in 1942. The instruction manual was rewritten
the following year. In 1946 the Advanced course was added to the
curriculum with 18 students signing up for the first such course; the
same year the regular two year course had a record enrollment of 40.
In 1948, a third instructor was added to the staff and the three year
course divided into Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced to provide
smaller classes for instruction. That year a series of short sailing
school races was added to stimulate the desire for competitive
racing.
At a meeting of the Board of Directors of June 23rd, 1948 Alvin
Youngquist was made Honorary Life Member of the Club in recognition
of his services to the club and the Sailing School. 1949 stands as
the high watermark of the school with 78 students enrolled and 75
graduates. Eleven WLYC mothers of students, one of a grandmother, and
six post graduates.
Instructors for the 1940's included:
1940 - Neil Manny, 1941 - Neil Manny, 1942 - Jim Butterfield, 1943
- Lee Holly, 1944 - Tom Getz, 1945 - Tom Getz, Bruce Stewart, 1946 -
Lee Holly, Bruce Stewart, 1947 - Bruce Stewart, Al Youngquist, Jr.
1948 - Dick Denison, Bruce Stewart, Al Youngquist, Jr. 1949 - Bob
Christie, Bruce Stewart, Al Youngquist, Jr.
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1950's
The 1950's started with the Silver Anniversary year of 46 students
in the three classes and a grand total of 749 graduates since its
inception in 1926. Miss Doddin Hartman (class of 1944) became the
first women instructor in 1952 but was quickly followed by Margaret
Deyman and Kati Hodgson the following year. In 1952, a specially
designed pin was made available through the courtesy of the late
Barney F. Deyman as a presentation to each students who had
successfully completed all three courses, an award made each year
since. In 1959 Fred Fischl succeeded Alvin Youngquist as Supervisor
after serving as assistant the previous year. A new decade under his
supervision was to begin. With instructors as follows:
1950 - Bob Christie, Bruce Stewart, Al Youngquist, Jr.
1951 - Bud Hartman, Bill LaNouette, Don McCobb
1952 - Doddin Hartman, Don McCobb, Sam Stewart
1953 - Margaret Deyman, Kati Hodgson, Sam Stewart
1954 - John Deyman, Jack Holloway, Sam Stewart
1955 - Randy Hubler, Nan Sellers, Lynn Wegner
1956 - Randy Hubler, Nan Sellers, Lynn Wegner
1957 - Randy Hubler, Nan Sellers, Lynn Wegner
1958 - Randy Hubler, Dick Marvil, Lynn Wegner
1959 - Alan Jackman, Skip Lothman, Dick Marvil, Skip Uhlemann
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1960's
1960 - Lynn Wegner-Davis, Skip Lothman, Jr., Skip Uhlemann, Alan
Jackman
1961 - Robert Fischl, Courtney Pitkin, Jr., Skip Uhlemann, Alan
Jackman
1962 - Robert Fischl, Courtney Pitkin, John Burroughs, Mimi
Gillen
In addition to the regular courses offered in 1960 and 1961 a
special course for wives of E boat sailors was taught by Neil Manny
with sixteen enrolled in the class.
In 1963, Jack Denison was made assistant supervisor, and Jon Penn
was appointed to instruct the Advanced class, Jon Swenson the
Elementary class.
In 1964, Jack Denison succeeded Fred Fischl as supervisor. A new
manual was introduced as the basis of the three-year course.
"Invitation to Sailing" is the first published text to be used by the
the White Lake Sailing School. Instructors were Jon Penn, John Getz,
(the third member of his family to serve) and Cade Denison.
1965 - "Gig" Pitkin, Ann Pitkin, Jacques Chatain, Jr.
1966 - Jacques Chatain, Jr., Ann Pitkin, Joe Pitkin, John
Milne
In 1967, Past Commodore Neil G. Manny took over as Supervisor of
the Sailing School. The staff of instructors included - John Milne,
Ann Pitkin & Joe Pitkin with Assistant Instructors - Brud Harvey
& Steve Dake.
In 1968 the staff included veterans John Milne and Joe Pitkin and
Brud Harvey and Steve Dake moving into full-time instructors. Steve
Dake could not complete the season and Shelly Hanley completed the
instruction of the intermediate class. In 1969, Brud Harvey and
Shelly Hanley returned to the staff and Chris Penn and "Skip" Manny
proved their ability as first year instructors. It is worthy of note
that "Skip" Manny was the fourth generation of his family to be
actively sailing at the White Lake Yacht Club.
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1970's
In 1970 the returning veterans were Shelly
Hanley, Chris Penn and "Skip" Manny. The new addition to the staff
was Tom Getz, Jr. (the fourth member of his family to service the
Sailing School staff). The year 1971 found "Skip" Manny, Chris Penn
and Tom Getz returning to their usual good job and the new addition
to the staff was Ande Holly. In 1972 the Sailing School staff
consisted of Tom Getz, Bunny Johnston and Bob Milne. Bunny and Bob
returned again in 1973 but Tom Getz was replaced by veteran Ande
Holly.
In 1974, Ande Holly returned to do his usual fine job and we had
two new instructors serving their first term - Doug McNeil and Scott
McMurray.
1975 was of course the great year of celebration for our Sailing
School. We had the graduation of our 50th class. Courtney Pitkin, as
chairman of the event, brought in the Olympic Gold Medalist Buddy
Melges to speak. Buddy was also made an honorary graduate of the WLYC
Sailing School and presented with a diploma. He is the only person
ever so honored. Our instructors for the season were Doug McNeil,
Hilary Davis and Glen McMurray.
In 1976, Doug McNeil and Hilary Davis returned to the staff' and
Joan Pierson instructed the Elementary class. In 1977, Hilary Davis
returned as Chief Instructor and completed her third year. Brian
McMurray and Sue Holly joined the staff for the first time. 1978
found Sue Holly returning as Chief Instructor completing her second
year. Bob Manny and Brad Davis WLYC the new additions to the staff
Joan Castelli returned to teach a special course to a large group of
adults.
1979 saw our three regular instructors returning but Glen McMurray
took over the special adult program from Joan Pierson. After 13 years
of guiding the Sailing School as Supervisor, Neil Manny handed over
the reins at the end of the season to Jack Denison
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1980's
1980 introduced a new Advanced curriculum using Steve Colgate's
Text as a basis and emphasizing sail trim, tactics and "go-fast"
techniques taught by Chris McNeil, the year's White Lake champion
Brian McMurray returned and David Denison joined tile staff.
1981 brought in Jeff Butterfield to replace David Denison as
intermediate instructor. Chris and Brian returned for their second
season 1982 saw Jeff Butterfield returning as Intermediate
Instructor. Margaret Berry signed on as Elementary Instructor and Rob
Twardock as Advanced instructor.
1983 Instructors included Margaret Berry teaching Elementary,
Debbie Marvil, Intermediate and Tim Marvil, Advanced. An advanced
racing clinic was offered by Doug McNeil. Jack Denison. after 4
successful years as Sailing School Supervisor, turned over the
responsibility to Clyde and Kathy LeTarte.
In 1984 a new program for 9-11 year olds was initiated, as well as
a racing clinic and sailboard seminar. Instructors were Chad Gould,
J.P. Mull, Debbie Marvil and Karl Jacob.
In 1985 Chad Gould returned to head the program and teach Advanced
with Karl Jacob and Rick LeTarte teaching Intermediate and
Elementary.
In 1986, Tom Wisnom took over as Sailing School supervisor. Chad
Gould was again the head instructor teaching the advanced class with
J.P Mull and Karl Jacob teaching intermediate and elementary. All
were involved with the 9-11 year old program.
1987 "Skip" Manny became the Sailing School's first second
generation supervisor. Chad Gould returned for his fourth year as
instructor. Chad taught all three Levels of the school and the 9 - 11
year old introductory program.
In 1988 Chad Gould returned and Summer Chance joined the staff to
teach the Introduction to Sailing program. 1989 saw Summer Chance
return with Nathan Weersing joining the staff to teach.
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1990's
In 1990 our enrollment grew tremendously, teaching 52 students
sailing in our four classes. Nathan Weersing returned as head
instructor joined by Matthew Yakes and Ben Sandel. For the first
time, the Sailing School had a fleet of seven optimist dinghies to
teach on.
1991 had Matthew Yakes return to teach the Elementary,
Intermediate and Advanced Classics. Heather Drew joined the staff o
teach the introduction to sailing program.
In 1992, Joan Pierson Manny, grand-niece of co-founder Loker
Chittenden took over the Sailing School as the first female
supervisor replacing her husband Skip Manny after his 5 successful
years as supervisor. With the help of Brian McMurray new texts were
put into the regular program taught by Jim Ellis. Brent Bedau handled
all the Introduction to sailing students.
In 1993 marked the re-birth of the Sailing School Room and proved
to be a great help to the sailing Instructors Brent Bedau and Dave
Fedewa
1994 saw the return of Brent Bedau and David Fedewa to teach the
introduction thru adult level classes.
The 1995 season saw the Sailing School on a new course headlong
under the Sailing School Advisory Committee chaired by Doug McNeil,
an emphasis of, on the water time, showed increased use of the Prams,
Students Butterflies and MC's. Instructor David Fox brought a whole
new dimension to our program, and was aided by Heather Milne and
Charlie Megan.
David Fox and Charlie Megan returned to instruct for the summer of
1996. Thanks to the generous donation of Dr. Jonathon Penn of a new
fleet of four JY 15 sailboats, the students enjoyed the thrill and
challenge of a jibbed sailboat. 1997 saw three new Instructors, Jon
Durell, Cameron McNeil and Tracey Stevens take command of the Sailing
School with the outside consulting assistance of former instructor
David Fox The use of a new text "Start Sailing Right" was initiated
and a 15 foot Boston Whaler was purchased to help patrol the
classes.
The summer of 1998 saw the return of Charlie Megan as head
instructor along with Cameron McNeil and Aaron Penn. All of the
instructors attended the United States Sailing instructor certificate
course in Lake Geneva Wisconsin, a first in the history of the
sailing school.
In 1999 all three of our instructors returned to do their usual
fine job. Over 80 students, with 100 sessions scheduled, enjoyed
being part of WLYC Sailing School.
2000's
The 75th Anniversary of the Sailing School
was celebrated in 2000. Cameron McNeil returned to teach his fourth
year with new instructors Ben Martin, Gray Megan and Ryan Gates.
Craig and Sue Gates completed 3 years as supervisors
In 2001 leadership of the Sailing School was
turned over to Dr. Jonathan Penn. Gray Megan and Ryan Gates returned
for a second year , joined by Micah Penn and Graham Allan.
2002 is the 77th year of our Sailing School.
We are now serving the third and fourth generations of WLYC sailing
families. From today's students we will draw future instructors and
sailing champions. Following the examples of several other yacht
clubs our Board of Directors decided to support the establishment of
a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation to promote sailing instruction.
The White Lake Sailing School, Inc. can receive federal tax
deductible contributions. This new organization can also enroll
students who are not WLYC members. The White Lake Sailing School
Board members are: Chair Dick Marvil, Treasurer Tom Wisnom, Secretary
Doug McNeil, Ron Dunwell and Chip Sawyer.
2002 to 2008- Under the new non-profit structure the White Lake Sailing School (WLSS) was able to increase enrollment, offer expanded instruction and provide more training in racing techniques. As the result of fund raising efforts(silent auctions) and the generous donations by many loyal supporters, the WLSS has been able to provide adequate salaries and training for its instructors, control the cost of lessons and purchase additional equipment.
We extremely proud of our former/current students, and instructors who competing at very high level wherever they sail. During this period lessons were taught by the following instructors: Graham Allan ('01-'04),Paul Nedeau('03),Ryan Gates ('00-'05) Andrew Gambel ('05-'08) Lindsey Gates ('04-'08), Cameron McNeil ('00,'07-'08),Ben McNeil ('07-'08) and Sam Gill ('08).
The WLSS Board members are Chairman Dick Marvil,Treasurer Chip Sawyer, Secretary Doug McNeil, Don Lundquist and Dan McCormick.
Learning to sail will provide you with a life time of enjoyment
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