The St. Augustine Yacht Club (SAYC) Sailing Center continues to demonstrate why the U.S. Sailing Association has named its program the Outstanding Community Sailing Program of the year, offering “accessible, inclusive and high-quality sailing opportunities that make a meaningful difference.” And it’s getting even better!
Long known for sponsoring sailing camps and races for thousands of kids, the SAYC Sailing Center now offers an AdventureSail Day. This program enables girls ages 9-14 from underserved communities to experience the joy of their first sail. The Sailing Center has recently initiated the day with Nassau County and will expand it to St. Johns County in September.
Through the tireless efforts of Marissa Burrier, Director of the SAYC Sailing Center, as well as local volunteers, 19 young girls from Nassau County’s Boys and Girls Club traveled by school bus to St. Augustine for an adventure on the water.
After a welcome and whiteboard lesson on sailing terms, the girls took to the waters, sailing up Salt Run to the beach for a picnic and back to the Sailing Center. Salt Run is a 3.5-mile tidal lagoon in St. Augustine, stretching from the St. Augustine Inlet South to Anastasia Island State Park.
The girls sailed on four Hobie Wave sailboats, each with a qualified female skipper. SAYC Commodore Jan Spencer skippered the safety boat for chaperones and volunteers. Each girl had a chance to skipper a boat, trim the sails and tack upwind to the beach as her skipper gave instructions. Marissa said the magic of the first sail was palpable. First-time experiences included holding a tiller, seeing a dolphin, backflipping off a boat and navigating an intercoastal waterway.
Once at the beach, the girls waded, swam, inspected sea life and moved their boats to deeper water as the tide dropped. A picnic of Pub subs, chips, cookies and lemonade followed.
AdventureSail is a nationwide cornerstone of Women’s Sailing Foundation/National Women’s Sailing Association to nurture the next generation of female sailors.
What’s next for the Sailing Center? It will finally get its own building adjacent to the SAYC club house Oct. 29. Stay tuned!
