Genesis of the Program. The Program was initiated as a fitting memorial to Louis J. Thibodeaux who was a loyal and active member of the Pelican Yacht Club. Louis introduced his two children and seven grandchildren to sailing. Over his more than 50-year sailing career in Arkansas and Louisiana, he owned and sailed a Catalina 25, a Jeanneau 34 and a Catalina 22. The latter vessel was affectionally named FLO to go with the heavily lashed eye painted on her bow. Louis was a successful racer but spurned participation in the spinnaker fleet. His bareboat charter cruises included the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Turkey, the Sea of Cortez, and Sint Maarten/St Barts.

Mission

The Louis J. Thibodeaux Youth Sailing Program is committed to providing safe, high-quality education and training programs to prepare youths (8-17) and University students for lifelong enjoyment of sailing. Recruitment will target the Greater Baton Rouge area, the campuses of LSU and Southern University,  and will include participants from underserved groups. Learning will take place in an atmosphere of fun and friendliness so characteristic of the Program’s namesake.

Objectives

• Offer sailing education programs for youths ages 8-17 and university students, including youths from underserved groups.

• Equip participants with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to helm a sailboat competently and safely.

• Promote and nurture the development of leadership and teamwork skills.

• Provide a comprehensive program of educational and practical activities ranging from rigging, launching, recovering, maintaining, helming, crewing, to racing a sailboat.  

• Identify and encourage good environmental practices and stewardship related to sailing and water resources.

• Provide scholarships to assist youths from underserved groups to participate.

The principal activity of the Program is to provide youths residing in East Baton Rouge and Pointe Coupee Parishes, and, in the future, St. Tammany Parish, learning to sail camps. The camps are open to youths 8-17 years of age.

Description of Camps

The summer learning to sail camps will encompass both classroom and on-the-water instruction

Instructors. The sailing instructors are experienced sailors, two of which are Red Cross First Aid certified and one of whom is CPR certified. Multiple instructors, including volunteers from the Pelican Yacht Club, will provide the on-the-water sailing instruction. All on-the-water activities will be monitored and supervised from an appropriate power

Our Fleet. Four Optimist Prams (Opti’s) will be used for teaching purposes. These boats, approximately 8’ in length, are stored on and can be moved with hand-powered dollies. The boats incorporate air-filled bladders for flotation purposes in case of a capsize. Participants are taught how to recover from a capsize. Such boats are used universally for teaching youths how to sail. For older and larger youths, Sunfish sailboats will be used for instruction. Participants will also be exposed to a crewed sailing experience on a 19’ Flying Scot where they will assume the roles of helmsman, main sail trimmer and jib trimmer.

Requirements. Participants must pass a swimming test while wearing a Type III Personal Flotation Device (PFD). A PFD and closed-toed shoes must always be worn for the on-the-water activities. Campers are encouraged to wear hats, provide retainer straps for prescription or sunglasses, and use sunscreen. Campers should bring a backpack daily with a towel and change of clothes. Parents should clearly identify any physical and/or medical (e.g., food allergies) concerns for their camper(s). Whereas water and snacks will be provided, parents are responsible for providing daily lunches for their child or children

Cell phones. Cellphones will be collected from campers in advance of their on-the-water instruction for safe and secure storage during this period. Use of cellphones during the classroom instruction periods will not be permitted unless for emergency purposes. 

Cost. There will be no cost to participants for the summer sailing camps.

Benefits. For a fee of $100, all course graduates may charter an OPTI at any time, based on availability, for a period of one year. Alternatively, the youth’s family may join the Pelican Yacht Club and have access to all Club boats if they retain their membership in the Club.