Sails, Scholarships, Sydney, & Sales
Edison Sailing Center has been the sailing equivalent of the Energizer Bunny the first quarter of 2018! We have much to share with you: many of you met Sydney Monahan at the December meeting. Sailor-Daughter of multihull sailor Art Monahan (& Denise), Sydney’s journey along the sailing continuum continues to rise like we wish the Dow would! Putting 110% into whatever she focuses on, not only has Sydney been an exceptional Opti Green Fleet Coach ( highest retention rate of Green Fleeters since the mid ‘80’s), she was the youngest coach to attend both US Sailing’s Coaching Conference in Miami, as well as US Sailing’s Leadership Forum in February. Her participation in ESC’s back-to-back Doris Colgate Junior Women’s Clinics was followed with an opportunity to attend a foiling training at Oakcliff (managed & directed by America’s Cup & Whitbread sailor Dawn Riley). Continuing to sail in Laser championship events, Sydney just received word that she’s been invited to sail the Newport-Bermuda race this summer. CMCS’s youth investment has provided part of the financial support for her to have these amazing experiences!
Thanks to Marla Parker and Summerset, the summer youth grants for sailing are off to a great start. Half of the youth grants have already been awarded. ESC is grateful to Marla for her navigation through paperwork, parents and programs. In an effort to provide as many opportunities for youth as possible and to help meet the high demand for youth grants, we have agreed that families may request a youth grant for two years; thereafter, requests would be on a space-available basis.
Did you know that ESC accepts donations of boats and boating equipment? Some donated boats have become integral vessels in our “flotilla”, providing adventure sailing opportunities to the Dry Tortugas and our local barrier islands, or to help with teaching adults how to sail; others have provided significant dollars in sales to support our programs.
Speaking of programs, between late August and mid-May, ESC offers a school year program in Optis, Lasers & Club 420s; a high school sailing program in area high schools as part of ISAA/SAISA; community sailing days three times a year; outreach programs for The Q, STARs and scouts; partners with two Sea Scout troops; provides clean-ups for the islands in the River; and offers eight weeks of summer programs that also include a separate sailing camp at The Mound House (FM Beach), a week of programs for Canterbury students, and this year will welcome a large Girl Scout troop for one week.
Looking ahead to 2018-19, ESC plans to formalize opportunities for students with disabilities to sail in our Junior Olympic regatta (October) and advance our Junior Big Boat program to put more experienced youth sailors on keelboats teaching foredeck work, navigation and helm skills (here’s your future race crew!)
“Hoist the sails of choice to harness the winds of joy.”
