By MADDY VITALE
Tyler Myers was just 12 years old and already his skill and talent for sailing were getting noticed.
Myers, of Marmora, began teaching kids at local yacht clubs what he learned about the sport.
“I’ve been teaching for 20 years. When I first started teaching at 12, some of the students were older than me,” Myers said, before preparing to put his Hobie catamaran in the water at a beach in Beesley’s Point.
After so many years of giving sailing instructions at area businesses and yacht clubs, Myers decided this summer he would put his business acumen to work.
He opened Point Sailing School in Marmora, and is ready to teach kids and adults how to sail the bays or sharpen their skills, if racing is their interest.
From group and private lessons for all ages, to sailing camps for kids ages 8-18, Myers offers something for everyone who wants to learn to sail or hone their skills. And the prices are competitive. To view the description and pricing of the different lessons, visit www.pointsailingschool.com.
“I’ve been working at different yacht clubs, the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City, Ocean City Yacht Club, and for the past four years the Lewes Yacht Club in Delaware,” he said. “I figured it was time to go out on my own.”
Myers, 32, is a Level 3 U.S. Sailing Certified instructor. Level 3 means he is considered an advanced coach who can train students for racing.
He has raced all throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, among other places, and has numerous race wins and honors.
“I’ve raced anywhere there is water in the United States, California, Texas, up north and Florida,” he said.
Myers most recent wins include, 2nd Place 2017 Hobie Wave Nationals, 6th Place 2018 Hobie 16 Nationals (Skipper), 2019 Hobie 16 World Finalist and 2nd Place 2021 U.S. Sailing Multihull Championships.
“My goal is to get more people on boats. Over the last 15 years, the number of people who sail has declined,” he explained. “I want to see that number go back up and bring more young people into the sport.”
Sailing camps are a great way for kids to see if sailing is their interest.
“The camps are about having fun and learning to sail,” he said.
While Point Sailing School features one boat, Myers said as more students sign up for lessons, he will hire another skilled sailor and add another boat.
As with all of the lessons, teaching is just one aspect of sailing. Making sure the students are safe is the top priority. All of the students wear safety gear.
Before giving any lesson, Myers, who is both CPR and First Aid certified, makes sure the students can swim. For sailing camps, there is a swim test at the beginning of the week.
“All of the kids have life jackets on at all times. I am fully certified for safety. At the beginning of the week, we have swim tests to make sure everyone is comfortable in the water.
His teaching boat is his Hobie catamaran, equipped for three kids and himself.
“This boat is the best to teach kids on,” he said. “Teaching the kids while I am on the boat is best because I can correct bad habits quickly.”
Myers added that the boat is “very forgiving.”
“There really isn’t any wind that you can’t deal with on this boat. It keeps the kids comfortable,” he pointed out. “We go over flipping the boat and safety, but I have never flipped this boat on accident. It’s a good boat to teach the basics, sail position, the wind direction.”
Myers, who grew up in Marmora, went to Upper Township schools and graduated from Ocean City High School. He graduated with a degree in physics from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va., where he was on the varsity sailing team.
He has worked in his field of study, but at this time in his life he wants to dedicate time to teaching sailing, which is his biggest passion.
His parents, Wally and Lynn Myers, are well-known sailors in the area. Myers credits his parents for developing his sailing skills.
He and his family have traveled together for races, and he has even competed with and against his dad in races over the years.
“I still race against my dad,” Myers said with a laugh.
His mother doesn’t race as much now, but she continues to stay involved and helps run events, Myers noted.
Over the years, Myers has applied some of the skills he has learned through sailing in other parts of his life.
“I think sailing teaches responsibility,” he said. “You have to keep the boat maintained and it teaches the importance of safety, since sailing is an inherently dangerous sport. I know what to look out for and make sure my students do as well.”
For inquiries about private coaching, race training, and/or lessons on private vessels, email PointSailing@yahoo.com. Point Sailing School is located on the same beach as Beesley’s Point Sea-Doo Inc. To find by GPS, use the address 912 Rte. 9 N. Marmora, N.J. 08223. Parking is free.
