Frequently Asked Questions
What does practice look like?
Dinghy practice is four days each week. Monday through Thursday we begin practice around 3:00 PM after classes and sail until around 6:00 PM each day. On the water practices emphasize boat handling and speed as well as practice races.
Keelboat practice also four days a week. Monday through Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and Thursday 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM for races. At our keelboat practices we have access to 2 J24s and primarily focus on boat handling, speed, and maneuvers, in addition to Thursday night races with the local J24 fleet .
Keelboat practice also four days a week. Monday through Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and Thursday 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM for races. At our keelboat practices we have access to 2 J24s and primarily focus on boat handling, speed, and maneuvers, in addition to Thursday night races with the local J24 fleet .
IS it hard to balance sailing with other commitments?
For some it can be an adjustment, but once things slow down after the first week or two managing your time to include sailing becomes rather easy. Many of our sailors are very active members of other clubs and organizations and have plenty of time for other activities, school work and social life during the sailing season.
what does a recruiting trip look like?
Prospective members can schedule a recruiting trip to come stay overnight with a member of the team on campus, attend a class in their desired area of study, participate in an afternoon practice and meet the team. We recommend students visit the fall of their senior year. These trips are a great way to get to know the team, UVM, and the Burlington area!
Do we have team workouts?
Yes we have twice weekly morning workouts. Workouts are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM at the gym on campus and focus on cardio and specific strength.
How long is a typical season?
We sail from the beginning of the fall semester until November and then begin again when the ice thaws in the spring, typically in late March. Our spring season also includes a spring break training trip to warmer waters in March.
Does uvm offer scholarships for sailing?
No, UVM does not offer athletic scholarships to club sport athletes. However, ICSA rules dictate that no sailor may receive financial support based on sailing ability so this is not unique to our team.
What is burlington like?
Known as America's #1 college town by the Huffington Post, Burlington offers vibrant music, food, and outdoor recreation opportunities for everyone. With stunning views of the Adirondack Mountains across Lake Champlain the waterfront is a popular hangout spot for college students and sailors alike!
Is the Sailing Team a varsity program?
No, we receive funding from the UVM Student Government Association rather than the UVM Athletics Department. However, our team operates very similarly to many of the varsity teams in our conference (NEISA).
Who can join the team?
We welcome any current and incoming UVM students to try out during the first week of the fall semester! We are a competitive team and most of our sailors have dinghy racing backgrounds so if you're brand new to sailing and just looking to learn the basics check out the course UVM offers here.
What if my classes conflict with practice?
We encourage team members to try and schedule classes around practice (3:00PM-6:00PM Monday-Thursday) however sometimes avoiding conflicts is impossible so some sailors can only attend 2-3 practices a week. We are flexible when it comes to unavoidable conflicts but days when sailors have no classes/labs overlapping practice they are expected to be in attendance.
How do regattas work?
Our coach determines the events we will attend each season and each week rosters for those events will be chosen based on sailing ability, regular attendance of practices/workouts, and dedication to the team. Regatta teams typically depart after classes on Fridays and arrive back on campus after racing is done on Sunday.