By MADDY VITALE
Tyler Myers has a goal for this summer, to teach more people the art of sailing and share with them some of the techniques and skills that have taken the expert sailor from his hometown of Marmora to regattas all over North America.
He opened Point Sailing School in 2022 in Beesley’s Point. After a successful season of teaching his craft to everyone from young children to seniors, in camps, private lessons, and group sessions, he is hoping to bring his expertise to even more would-be sailors this year.
“My goal is to get more people on boats. Over the last 15 years, the number of people who sail has declined,” Myers said in an interview. “I want to see that number go back up and bring more young people into the sport.”
He is a Level 3 U.S. Sailing Certified instructor, which means he is considered an advanced coach who can train students for racing. He has raced all throughout the United States, Canada and Central America, among other places, and has numerous race wins and honors.
His first youth sailing camp of the season begins on June 12 and runs for 12 weeks into September. To see all of the different classes, private lesson availability, and to view pricing, visit pointsailingschool.com.
Myers, 33, began teaching kids how to sail when he was just 12. He taught for years at local sailing businesses and yacht clubs. With a deep passion and love for the sport, he wants to continue his love of teaching and sailing at Point Sailing for a second successful year.
“Many of the people who took an initial lesson with me came back for additional lessons to further improve their sailing. I am hoping to get even more people out on the water of all ages this season,” he noted.
He teaches up to three students at a time, on his Hobie catamaran, which is located on the beach in Beesley’s Point next to Beesley’s Point Sea-Doo.
Before giving any lesson, Myers, who is both CPR and First Aid certified, makes sure students can swim.
“Safety comes first here,” he said. “Sailing is inherently a dangerous sport, but we make sure that students are taught the skills they need to operate a boat safely and efficiently.”
Students wear life jackets at all times. At the beginning of each youth camp week, there are swim tests to make sure everyone is comfortable in the water, Myers noted.
In addition to teaching children, Myers offers one-on-one training to those who already race, both children and adults.
“I can provide private coaching to local students, whether it be at a yacht club or privately on their own boat, or they can come to us and learn on one of our boats,” he said. “I offer up to advanced racing lessons for all ages whether they already racers or are simply interested in learning.”
He will even attend and coach at private events for the students.
“If they want me at any races, I will be there. I am here to fulfill the sailing needs of anyone who wants to know anything about the sport — whether they are learning to sail, learning to race, or fine-tuning their skills.”
Myers, who grew up in Marmora, went to Upper Township schools and graduated from Ocean City High School in 2007. He graduated with a degree in physics from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va., where he was on the varsity sailing team.
His most recent big event was in 2022 at the Hobie Wave Nationals in Shreveport, La., where he placed third.
Some of his other honors include second place in the 2021 U.S. Sailing Multihull Championships, 2019 Hobie 16 World Finalist, sixth place in the 2018 Hobie 16 Nationals (Skipper) and second place in the 2017 Hobie Wave Nationals.
He has won three national titles in the Hobie 16 class — one as crew in the 2001 Hobie 16 Continentals and two as Skipper in both the 2006 and 2007 youth national championships.
His parents, Wally and Lynn Myers, are well-known sailors in the area. He credits them for teaching him the techniques and skills to sail.
The family has traveled together for races. He even competed with and against his dad in numerous races over the years.
“My dad and I are still racing against each other,” Myers said with a laugh. “It’s great that we have something like this we can do together.”
As an instructor and an expert who wants to grow the sport, he emphasized that the idea that sailing is only something the wealthy do has to be put out of people’s minds.
“I think the stereotype of sailing is that it is for the rich, stereotypical yacht club-type person, going out on boat,” he said. “What I am doing, is trying to break the norm about sailing and show people that it’s easy to get into and learn, inexpensive, and a ton of fun!”
For more information visit www.pointsailingschool.com or call Tyler Myers at 609-231-6432 or email pointsailing@yahoo.com.
