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Sailing and archery lessons offer students unique opportunities to earn PE credit

This summer dartmouth students speak about their experiences teaching and taking archery and sailing lessons for pe credit..

Dartmouth requires all of its students to complete credits in the physical education department to graduate. Starting with the class of 2026, Dartmouth students must complete three credits, while students graduating in the 2024-2025 academic year are required to complete two. During the summer term, the physical education department offers several unique-to-summer classes that fulfill this requirement, including archery and sailing lessons.

Summer sailing classes attract many students, taking place everyday Monday through Thursday on Mascoma Lake. Students in the course take a school bus to the Dartmouth Yacht Club for sailing practice. The only prerequisite for summer sailing is the ability to pass a 50-yard swim test. The class’s $250 registration fee includes Dartmouth Yacht Club membership and use of the club’s 22 boats after qualifying to be a skipper. Scholarships are also available to students receiving financial aid.

Dartmouth students are paid to lead sailing lessons. Instructors are both on the Dartmouth sailing team and non-athletes, all of whom “enjoy sailing,” according to sailing team member and summer sailing instructor Connor Vogel ’25. 

“I’ve been teaching sailing for four or five years, and I wanted to continue that,” Vogel said. “I love sailing, and I want other people to learn and experience it. Teaching other Dartmouth students is really cool, and I love sharing the sailing team with other ’25s.”

The Dartmouth Archery Club, a subclub of the Dartmouth Outing Club, hosts weekly hour-and-a-half-long practices throughout the summer as another physical education credit. The practices are free and open to all students, regardless of any previous experience, according to Daniel Lubliner ’25.

“I thought it was cool because it wasn't so much that it was like a lesson,” Lubliner said. “The instructor briefly showed us how to shoot, and then we did target practice in waves, which was really exciting.”

The end goal of the summer sailing lessons is to become “skipper proficient,” according to Rebecca Risch ’25, who is not on the sailing team but is a summer sailing instructor.

“We start in bigger boats as groups, and I walk them through everything, and then students do different roles,” Risch said. “I make sure they know how to do the very basic skills. From there, we advance to smaller boats like dinghies, and that's more independent because they're in either pairs or by themselves sailing around.”

Sailing instructor and sailing team member Maddie Regulla ’25 explained that students have already “learned so much” in lessons.

“I think it's super helpful to start in big boats and have everyone learn the basics with instructors in the boats,” Regulla said. “But even last week, we went for the first time in our solo boats and people were doing so well, just learning how to navigate the wind.”

Vogel, who was a walk-on to the sailing team, recommended the sailing classes as a way to see if walking-on could be an “option” for people thinking about joining the team, which accepts walk-ons in the skipper and crew positions.

Devon Starr ’25 compared sailing lessons to language “drill” because students are “thrown into sailing.”

“We just got thrown into sailing right away and had no idea what we were doing,” Starr said. “The instructors gave us some instructions, but mostly let us figure out what to do on our own, like learning a language in drill.”

For several students, summer sailing lessons are a “social activity,” according to sailing student John D’Avanzo ’25.

“We're usually on boats of either six people or two people, so you're always on a boat with someone, whether you know them or not,” D’avanzo said. “I would say I know half of the group pretty well and half of the group not so well, so it's awesome to talk with new and old friends on the water.”

To students considering what PE classes to take, Risch said sailing lessons are an “excellent way to fulfill the credit.”

“I would tell students considering the lessons that they should definitely sign up because it's a blast, and it's really fun to be able to sail with your friends, especially when you become more independent,” Risch said. “Once you know how to sail, you can come back and bring friends to sail on your own. I think it's a really good time, and it's a good way to get your PE credit if you don't have one already.”

D’Avanzo also said he has “no regrets” about taking summer sailing lessons.

“I would highly recommend that students do sailing lessons if they like being on the water, being in the sun, being with friends, doing anything outdoors,” D’Avanzo said. “It's just a really great way to get your PE credit, to spend some quality time in the lake, get off campus for a bit and a great thing to do over the summer.”

Lubliner is a former member of The Dartmouth staff. 

Correction Appended (July 17, 10:40 a.m.): A previous version of this article misquoted Lubliner. The article has been updated. 

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Dartmouth Yacht Club - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Dartmouth Yacht Club - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Dartmouth Yacht Club

www.dyc.org.uk

Welcome to Dartmouth Yacht Club

Welcome to the dartmouth yacht club membership site on webcollect. on this site new members can apply to join the club and existing members can pay their subscriptions..

The Club welcomes applications for membership from anyone with an interest in sailing, canoeing, paddlesports, motor boating or any other waterborne activity.  Both boat owners and those without boats are very welcome. 

Applications are equally welcomed from anyone who wishes to join as a social member of the club

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If you are an existing member of the Club, please "Sign In" to access / update your membership details or to renew your subscription(s).   

If you are not currently a member and wish to apply for membership, please click on the link below and you will be guided through the online membership application process., events & courses.

Welcome from the Commodore

Tony Baker Commodore

Dartmouth Yacht Club

Latest news.

Our hours are:

Our Club House offers a new and elevated dining experience, of freshly prepared tasty dishes through our partnership with Bushell’s Riverside, six days a week (not Monday):

Details of the new menu can be  found here .

Sunday Lunch - A roast lunch will be served between 12:00 and 15:00 from 7th April

 We pride ourselves on the range of watersports activities that our members enjoy. We have a fleet of over 70 canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and dinghies that members can use for free and two motor boats for hire. Our focus is to get as many people as possible to participate and benefit from our access to the beautiful River Dart.

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Dartmouth Yacht Club welcomes applications for membership from anyone who enjoys being out on the water. We have a range of attractively priced membership options to suit different circumstances. Whether your interest is paddleboarding, canoeing, dinghy sailing, cruising or motorboating, there will be something for you as a member.

Our club house on the Embankment has a wonderful location. We have a newly refurbished bar and an outdoor seating area both with stunning views overlooking the river mouth. Members and visitors can meet, relax and enjoy freshly cooked food from our chef Michelle Brachet.

Summer BBQ at Dittisham

Tuesday Evening Club Sail

Paddling in Company

Cruise in Company - River Yealm

Dartmouth Regatta

Safety Boat Refresher

New Year's Day Dip

Live Music Night

Sit On Top Kayaks

Royal Dart Yacht Club

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Upcoming Events

April 12th: Fish & Chip Friday

April 13th: Fitting Out ”Tea On The Terrace”

April 20th: AGM and supper

May 4th: Members’ Evening – in tribute to Dave Myers

May 11th: Souvlaki Night

June 16th: Father’s Day ‘All Day Breakfast’

News & Articles

Corinthian Class – Change to First Race Date

Dine by the Dart Evening

Boys in Boats Calendar 2024

‘Convoys of Conscience’ – Report of Winter Lecture

Ladies Afloat Calendar 2024

2024 Sailing Programme

Alison Timms reports below on the Cruising Forum Weekend

RDYC Burns’ Evening

2024 Cruising and Motorboat Calendar

Trafalgar Dinner 2023

Thinking of visiting or joining.

The aim of the RDYC is to provide a warm and welcoming environment for sailors, their families and friends. We cherish a high reputation for quality, Locally sourced food available in a casual bar and terrace environment as well as in a more formal lunch and dining tradition. We believe we are a favourite destination for sailors visiting the South West, racers and cruisers alike. We offer a comprehensive training programme for sail and motor, open to members and non-members. We offer the region’s premier junior sailing programme and are proud of our close association with the Royal Dart Youth Sailing Trust which provides access to sailing for local young people. The RDYC is an active supporter of the local environment and has an ambition to safeguard and protect the marine environment.