WHAT IS THE POINT OF PITTSBUGH SAILING LEAGUE?
The Point of Pittsburgh Sailing League grew from an interest in expanding sailing opportunities in the Pittsburgh area. While there is an active sailing program at Lake Arthur, the distance from Pittsburgh creates significant barriers for high school students in the Pittsburgh area to participate in sailing activities.
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From 2004 through 2008 a series of sailing regattas were held as a part of the Three Rivers Regatta to determine the viability of the area near the Point of Pittsburgh as a sailing venue. The success of these events supported efforts to pursue the development of a not-for-profit corporation and seek funding and develop a sailing program that would serve high school students in the Pittsburgh area.
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The Interscholastic Sailing Association is the coordinating organization for high school sailing programs throughout the United States. High school sailing is a co-educational sport. High school sailing programs are active in many cities including Philadelphia, Boston and Washington DC.
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After considerable effort, funding was secured to initiate the first phase of the Pittsburgh sailing project. In addition, an agreement has been made between the Sports and Exhibition Authority permitting access to a riverfront amphitheater that included presentations to waterway stakeholders.
Learning to sail opens up a world of opportunities.
OUR MISSION
The Point of Pittsburgh Sailing League provides a safe, fun and structured program to learn how to sail that includes STEM education principles.
This co-educational program is open to high school students (age 14 & above) in the greater Pittsburgh area with a special effort to engage students
in the Pittsburgh Public School District.
SAFETY
A key aspect of PPSL is creating and maintaining a safe and fun environment for sailing. Sailing instruction is provided by US-Sailing certified instructors who received Pennsylvania Criminal and Child Abuse clearances, completed FBI fingerprinting and have also completed the U.S. Center for Safe Sport child protection program.
Given that the Allegheny River is a navigable waterway, an on-water safety protocol has been developed and reviewed by the U.S. Coast Guard and other waterway stakeholders. A safety boat will be on-water at all times during instruction and safety procedures will be practiced on a regular basis.
Facilities & Equipment
The first phase of the sailing program involves the use of portable sailing platform located at the amphitheater during the sailing season.
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The Point of Pittsburgh Sailing League is excited to announce that we are using the RS Quest sailboat manufactured by RS Sailing located in southern England. It is a 14-foot sailing dingy configured with a mainsail, jib and asymmetrical spinnaker to meet a wide range of sailing requirements from learn-to-sail to racing. This represents the first use of RS Quest sailboats in Western Pennsylvania.
HOW TO
QUALIFY
The sailing program is open only to high school male and female students, ages 14-18
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NOT REQUIRED: Previous Sailing Experience
REQUIRED: Swimming Certification (see swim form in registration forms)
INCLUDED: Learn-to-sail and sailboat racing for the sailing season
(mid May to the end of September)
REGISTRATION: $225 Registration/half season $150 Financial need-based scholarships available
THE SAILBOATS
Developed in 2015, the RS Quest is a new, safe, very stable and exciting sailboat that incorporates numerous innovations. It can easily accommodate three sailors and is incredibly fast— both up and down wind. The RS Quest is the boat many sailing programs around the world want – and it is packed with innovative features to create a uniquely configurable boat to suit individual needs, with the ability to grow the sailor.
RS Quest was inspired by the British Sea Cadets seeking to update their older dinghies. RS Sailing is a manufacturer of a broad range of performance sailboats for adults and youth and we're excited to have the RS Quest available to inspire even more young people to take to the water.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & ADVISORS
The Point of Pittsburgh Sailing League is overseen by a volunteer board of directors.
Let's meet these generous individuals, shall we?
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CATCH UP ON OUR LATEST NEWS
2021
newsletters
2020
newsletters
RECENT EVENTS AND STORIES IN THE NEWS
We're pleased to share news about the Point of Pittsburgh Sailing League. News stories, both old and new, help to tell the story of our sailing program and sailors.
WTAE TV co-anchor Shannon Perrine (see picture of her interviewing one of our sailors) also spent considerable time with us and even sailed one of our boats as a part of her story.
WESA radio reporter Katie Blackley (from a local NPR station) spent nearly an entire sailing session on shore and in the safety boat learning about our sailing program. Clicking the image below accesses audio of the interview and an article with photos.
KDKA TV business reporter Jon Delano interviewed PPSL Chairman Joe Kirk as a Part of his Sunday Business Page weekly program.
Our inaugural regatta was held on October 7, 2023. The early October regatta will be an annual end-of-season event to demonstrate sailing skills of our students.
.jpg)
2021
newsletters
2020
newsletters
RECENT EVENTS AND STORIES IN THE NEWS
We're pleased to share news about the Point of Pittsburgh Sailing League. News stories, both old and new, help to tell the story of our sailing program and sailors.
WTAE TV co-anchor Shannon Perrine (see picture of her interviewing one of our sailors) also spent considerable time with us and even sailed one of our boats as a part of her story.
WESA radio reporter Katie Blackley (from a local NPR station) spent nearly an entire sailing session on shore and in the safety boat learning about our sailing program. Clicking the image below accesses audio of the interview and an article with photos.
KDKA TV business reporter Jon Delano interviewed PPSL Chairman Joe Kirk as a Part of his Sunday Business Page weekly program.
Our inaugural regatta was held on October 7, 2023. The early October regatta will be an annual end-of-season event to demonstrate sailing skills of our students.