-

on the Navesink Fair Haven, New Jersey

OUR AIMS . . .
"To promote interest in aquatic activities among children and to en courage family participation; To provide training for safe and pleasurable participation in such activities; and

A.

THE HIS T
HOW WE BEGAN . .

B.

c.

To provide, wherever possible, suitable facilities for the attainment of these purposes."

The Constitution

RIVER RATS, INC.

River Rats was set up by Dads, Inc. of Fair Haven as a family activity, to provide greater safety through training, to develop knowledge of and respect for the elements, and to make possible a greater enjoyment of the Navesink River by the families of our area. In October, 1954, twenty-eight fam ilies began classes to teach their children safety and seamanship.

A Community Project A Non-Profit Organization

Approved by the

NEXT WE BUILT BOATS . ..

National Safety Council

In 1955, tw nty-one Indian Scout sailboats built from kits were launched.

ORY OF

R I V E R RATS
devotion to children, the Battin Road property was opened to us in 19:: . After three happy years, River Rat ha to move out when the property was sold. This emergency was temporarily m t .' the house boat "Pied Piper," presented to the organization in its hour of need by generous friends who wished to lend a hand. After one exciting summer afloat, the River Rats came ashore again as guests of the new owner of the Battin Road property. Early in 1961 the dream of a perma nent home was realized when River Rats bought this land. River Rats can now offer to all interested families a perma nent base of operations.

Swimming and sailing lessons were given and races were held every week end. In 1956 Blue Jay Class sloops joined our fleet. The larger boat increased the sailing and crewing opportunities for non-boatowning members. Then follow ed more Blue Jays and the eight foot fiberglass "Porpoise" sailing prams. At the same time our instruction was ex panded to include advanced and adult training. Mothers were dubbed "River Lassies."

FINDING A HOME . ..
As a result of the kindness of Gardner Stout and Captain Ed Little's

TRAINING FOR BEGINNERS

This is a how-to course for every child who uses the river. It teaches ...

SEAMANSHIP!
How to speak the nautical language;

ship, sailboat and row boat terms and descriptions.

SAFETY FIRST!
How to handle small boats How to treat barnacle cuts, jellyfish

rowing,

paddling, etc.
How to navigate using the magnetic

stings, shock, rope burns, drown ings, etc....

How to deal with quicksand and quick

mud, seaweed, currents ...

How to sUfYive powerboat explosions,

compass, channel marker buoys, rules and regulations of inland waters.

How to tie the basic knots and splices. How to cope with the action of wind,

strandings, capsizing . . .
. . . AND HOW TO SWIM!

weather and tides.

LEARNING BY DOING!

Diagrams, pictures, movies, models Individual sailing lessons for the

and properties planned to make all theory practical. Comprehensive written and oral examinations are given, so when warm weather comes, all hands are ready to take full advantage of the river.

children who successfully complete the basic course of instruction are given by qualified sailors from the advanced groups.

ADULT TRAINING

River Rats urges fathers and/or mothers to attend the instruction courses with the children. We wish to enlarge your family pleasure in boating. Share the river with your children. Share their joy in knowing how. Individual sailing instruction is also available for the adults.

I.
ADVANCED INSTRUCTION
For those who have mastered basic courses there is a program in:
Boat construction and maintenance Fitting out and tuning up sailboats Theory of sailing

Techniques, rules and tactics of racing Using the spinnaker

River Rat boats may be skippered or crewed by members who have passed instruction courses.

YOU
DON'T
HAVE TO
OWN
A BOAT
TO BE A
RIVER RAT!

R 4C I N G

The River Rats sailboat racing sea son covers a full 6 months from May through October. In the Spring Series we sail two races on Sunday afternoons, weather permitting. These are open to all age groups. During the summer we sail on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Events are held for the 8 foot Porpoise Prams, as well as for the 12 foot Indian Scouts and the 13-112 foot Blue Jays. We have a separate competitive series for each of our four categories: Novices, Juniors, Ladies, and Open. Novice skippers (under 14 yrs. old) may be assisted by an adult crew. Juniors (skippers under 19 yrs. old) must recruit crews from their own age group. There are no age limits for the Ladies or the Open races but in Blue Jays the boat and crew must meet class weight requirements. In the fall we again hold open races on Sunday afternoons.

INTERNATIONAL RACING CLASS COMPETITION

In addition to the regular River Rat racing series, our Blue Jays have sailed in several invitation regattas: The Red Grant Regatta, run by the Raritan Yacht Club at Perth Amboy, N. J.; The Annual Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club Regatta; The Monmouth Boat Club Sweepstakes at Red Bank, N. J. In 1960, several of our boats sailed in the Blue Jay Nationals held at the Raritan Yacht Club in Perth Amboy.

AWARDS

CAPTAIN EDWARD L1nLE AWARD .. to child or family most embody ing spirit of helpfullness, coopera TROPHIES Trophies and pennants are awarded

tion and enthusiasm which were depicted by Capt. Little, 1875 to 1955, skipper of one of the last steamers that used to put in at the port of Fair Hav n.
THE COMMODORE'S AWARD

in each racing category; Novices, Juniors, Ladie and Open.

EMBLEMS River Rat emblems are given to all who successfully complete the basic

course of in truction.
STARS Seniority star are given for each year of member hip.

.. to child or family doing mo t for the advancement and dev lop ment of River Rats during the y ar.
THE MAYOR'S AWARD . . for the greate tall-round

achievement and improvement for the year.

THE FUTURE

Plans are being made for the ex pansion and improvement of facilities and equipment. Construction and main tenance of iceboats is being con id red. with lessons in the sport and in water kiing, duck hunting and fishing. These are some of the projects envi ioned for the future.

MEMBERSHIP
RE9UIREMENTS

Everybody welcome who has a child 16 or under . . . or who is willing to sponsor a child in River Rat activities.

Dues:

$ 5.00 per 9uarter

1961

Sketches by Emily Richardson