VERO BEACH — The late Steve Martin was the quintessential sailor, and like everyone involved in the Youth Sailing Foundation, sought to share his love of sailing with future generations.
A dedicated instructor and supporter of the organization, Martin passed away last September as he was preparing to sail his boat over to the YSF facility to teach a Saturday morning class.
“He was quite a guy,” said Charlie Pope, Youth Sailing Foundation board chairman, adding that Martin served for 38 years as chairman of the Vero Beach Marine Advisory Commission.
As a tribute, the Youth Sailing Foundation hosted its first main regatta in his memory, inviting four other clubs, the Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation, US Sailing Center Martin County, Palm Beach Sailing Club, and Saint Lucie County Yacht Club, to join them Sunday morning at the Youth Sailing Foundation headquarters near the foot of the Alma Lee Loy Bridge.
Before any boats were launched, the 22 eager youngsters, ranging in age from 8 to 14, sat in quiet concentration at the skipper meeting, listening intently as John Fox, the regional race officer, instructed them on the race.
It’s a complicated process, one where communication is based on flags, pennants and horns.
Each would head out in an Optimist – a small, one-person, single-sail dinghy – to compete in either the Green Fleet for beginners or Red, White & Blue Fleet for advanced sailors.
Optis – as they are often called – are typically made of Fiberglass, but the entire Youth Sailing Foundation fleet is wooden and hand-built by volunteers and children.
Before sending them out, Pope expressed the group’s chief mantra, “Stay safe and have fun!”
“The qualifications of some of these instructors are just phenomenal,” said Youth Sailing Foundation board member Allan Blair, another accomplished sailor.
“They’re trying to teach them to sail, and then to race.”
Volunteers impart their knowledge at Saturday morning classes. In the summer, the Moorings Yacht and Country Club opens its facility for a summer camp, with sailing, lunch and dips in the pool.
“We’re all retired and we’ve been really fortunate; you give back,” said Blair.
“There’s a cadre of sailors who feel it’s important to teach these kids more than just baseball and basketball.”
Although they weren’t participating in this regatta, there are also older, advanced students who sail in larger boats, and there is now a new adult program.
“We’re trying to make this a common-man sport, and not just something for the rich,” said Blair.
As the sport requires more brain than brawn, it attracts as many girls as boys.
Best friends Addy Malik and Sydney Ohs, both 9, waiting patiently to launch their boats into the water, said they enjoyed the feeling of independence being out on the water by themselves.
“It’s just a wonderful program,” said Ruth Swanson, whose son, Pete, was celebrating his 9th birthday sailing in the regatta.
“Some of these kids are going backwards as much as forwards – but they keep trying!” said Youth Sailing Foundation board member Amy Patterson.
“And that’s the idea,” said Pope with a smile.
