“We sailed in at just the right speed,” quipped 18-year-old Alden Findley, referencing the beautiful Club 420 sailboat gracing the lobby of the Moorings Yacht and Country Club two Sundays ago. The boat was one of several that had its naming rights auctioned off during the live-auction portion of Rock the Boat, a fundraiser to benefit the Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County.
As Findley, now captain of the Vero Beach Varsity Sailing Team, and other YSF students greeted arriving guests, other students were out on the water sailing, providing everyone with a wonderful demonstration of the skills they have learned.
“It set the stage with people on the balcony overlooking the water,” said Sheila Marshall during the cocktail hour, watching as some of the 160 guests enjoyed the demo outside while others perused a large assortment of silent-auction items indoors.
“This is great to be able to see the sailors out there,” said Amy Patterson, whose husband Don Reeser is a YSFIRC coach. “I’m so proud of them. Kids that a few years before wouldn’t have known where the wind was coming from now they know how to get across a start line and race a course; passing some of their instructors when they race. It’s just nice to see kids out on the water. We’re not going to stop technology, but if we can stop it for just a few hours it’s great.”
Founded in 2009 by Charlie and Chris Pope, Youth Sailing Foundation staff and volunteers have spent the last eight years offering free sailing instruction to the children of Indian River County, instilling in them a sense of self-confidence and independence while teaching them life-long skills.
Each week, certified U.S. Sailing instructors and volunteers teach safety, sailing and sportsmanship to students utilizing their 60-plus sailboats, including the original 8-foot, single-person Opti boats; 12-foot 420s, used in high school and collegiate sailing; and a variety of support boats.
“OK, shipmates, I’m ready to go,” said John Moore, a captain’s cap perched jauntily on his head, before presiding over the live auction of enviable items and the Name a Boat portion of the evening.
“Every guy here should buy a boat for his wife!” exclaimed Gavin Ruotolo, popping up to encourage the bidding.
Sailing Director Mary Morgan put the value of what they do in perspective, highlighting the story of one of their most stalwart students, who has overcome adversity with the support of the organization to succeed both on and off the water. The young man has become a great sailor and will now teach at this year’s summer camp. A request was also made for guests to sponsor $250-per-child scholarships for the summer camps, which are held each year at the Moorings.
The Youth Sailing Foundation’s vision for the future is to build a Community Sailing Center on the lagoon, providing public assess, boat rentals and storage facilities in hopes of developing the area into a hub for sailing and paddle boating.
