YSF in the News

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County is helping teens and children with aspirations of owning and operating their own sailboat achieve their goal.

Last Sunday, the foundation launched its first fleet of children-made dinghies at the Vero Beach Municipal Marina with the youngsters at the helm. On Monday, youths can participate in a week-long sailing course to learn the ins and outs of water safety and navigating their own vessel.

“We launched five finished boats with children aboard,” said Dan Thomas, vice chairman of the foundation.

The Youth Sailing Foundation, which started earlier this year, promotes and operates a sustainable sailing program for local youths, ages 6 to 16, using 8-foot-long Optimist Sailing Dinghy. The building program gives kids creative control of the construction process. Overseen by parents and experts in the field, children assemble a pre-cut okume plywood boat kit.

It takes children about 40 hours, spanning two or three months, to complete the 77-pound dinghy. The kits cost about $1,400, which include spars, rigging and a sail.

“Building the dinghies, the kids develop a good sense of camaraderie and accomplishment,” Thomas said. “It’s so exciting to see the look on the kids’ faces once they’ve completed the dinghy and are out on the water.”

Vero Beach resident Troy Visser and his son, Randy, 9, built a dinghy through the program. Randy’s sister, Julia, 12, will soon start construction on her own dinghy after she saw how much fun her father and brother had.

“They are so excited to start classes,” Visser said of his two children. “They are very interested in learning how to sail.”

Organizations such as the Vero Beach Yacht Club and Vero Beach Power Squadron donate money for grants for children who cannot afford to buy their own kits.

“We don’t want to leave any child out,” said Charlie Pope, foundation chairman. “We want to create a bonding experience for all the children and their parents. That’s our goal, and it’s worked out so well.”

The sailing classes will be taught by certified professionals. Youth will learn all about teamwork, wind patterns, paddling and racing techniques, water safety and how to care for and maintain their boats. They will also learn how to recover if their dinghy should capsize.

The instruction the children and teens will receive next week usually costs several hundred dollars, but donations from businesses and residents made it free. Students only have to purchase a $15 textbook.

Classes will be held every day next week from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is still open.

For more information on the Youth Sailing Foundation or to donate, visit www.ysfirc.org.

YOUTH SAILING FOUNDATION
WHAT: Week-long sailing course

WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon, Monday-Friday

WHERE: Vero Beach Power Squadron, 301 Acacia Road, Vero Beach, near the Vero Beach Municipal Marina

COST: Free ($15 text book fee)

INFORMATION: Space is limited. To register your child for classes, call Dan Thomas at (772) 978-1701 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (772) 978-1701 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or email dankathiezero@yahoo.com (http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/jun/11/youth-sailing-foundation-of-indian-river-county/)